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Voykit pocket guide · Brazil
Maricá
Spend a half‑day in Maricá for beaches and lagoons, then return to Rio; no overnight needed unless you want a beach‑side stay.
Maricá is a coastal town east of Rio de Janeiro with a 35 km sand strip, several lagoons and protected areas. It is reachable by RJ‑106 highway or urban bus from Rio, making it a convenient day‑trip for beach and nature lovers.
- Country
- Brazil
- Best months
- Mar–Oct
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (rainy, cooler)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- BRL
- Money
- Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$). About R$5–5.8 per US dollar in 2026 — check. Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere, even at beach kiosks.
- Daily spend
- Budget R$70–120 excl. bed · Mid R$120–200 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vivo, Claro and TIM cover the country; buying a prepaid SIM needs a passport and sometimes a CPF — an eSIM before you fly is easier.
- Emergency
- Police 190 · Ambulance 192 · Fire 193
- Plugs
- Types N, C · 127 V (Rio, São Paulo) or 220 V (Brasília, much of the Northeast) · Check the voltage on the socket; most chargers are dual-voltage.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 10% service (serviço) usually on the bill; optional but normal.; Beach kiosk / bar: Often included; round up.; Taxi / Uber: Not expected; round up.; Guide: US$5–15 per person per day.; Hotel staff: Small tip for porters.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.
- Toilets
- Put toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a beach kiosk | R$4–6 |
| Fish snack (caldo de peixe) | R$12–20 |
| Beer (caipirinha or draft) | R$8–12 |
| Bus fare Rio–Maricá | R$30–35 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- GIG · Galeão – Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport
- Main international gateway for Rio de Janeiro state
- SDU · Santos Dumont Airport
- Closer to downtown Rio, domestic flights
Typical fares
- Rio → Maricá bus
- about R$30 one‑way, 30 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Use RJ‑106 highway by car or take an urban bus/van from Rio’s Terminal Mendes Côrtes or Candelária. Walking is feasible on the beach strip; bikes are common but watch traffic.
See and do
Known for
- 35 km beach strip
- Lagoa de Araçatiba
- Parque Estadual da Serra da Tiririca
- Praia de Itaipuaçu
- Pedra do Elefante
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Niterói | Bus or van via RJ‑106, about 30 min | ≈45 min |
| Itaboraí | Bus via RJ‑106, about 45 min | ≈1 h |
Sleep
- Pousada do Holandês
- Beach‑side guesthouse in Recanto, good for a night if you prefer a seaside stay
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Com licençacom liˈzẽsa |
| Thank you | Obrigadoobriˈgado |
| How much is this? | Quanto custa?ˈkwɐ̃tu ˈkusta |
| Where is the bathroom? | Onde fica o banheiro?ˈõdʒi ˈfika u baˈɲeiru |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, hug or cheek kiss (one in São Paulo, two in Rio); avoid: Being stiff with new acquaintances
- Gestures: Use thumbs-up freely; avoid: The OK hand sign (it is rude)
- Language: Try Portuguese; say obrigado/obrigada; avoid: Defaulting to Spanish
- Time: Expect relaxed social punctuality; avoid: Being late for tours and flights
- Beach: Bring only a towel, cash and a copy of your ID; avoid: Leaving things unattended
Scams and watch-outs
- Buses may run less frequently on weekends; check schedules.
- Some lagoons have limited access during high‑water periods; verify locally.
Maricá is generally safe for tourists; stay aware of traffic on RJ‑106 and keep valuables secure on the beach.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Maricá yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- 35 km beach strip
- Lagoa de Araçatiba
- Parque Estadual da Serra da Tiririca
- Praia de Itaipuaçu
- Pedra do Elefante
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Maricá, revision 5244968 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5244968
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/marica). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.