Major city · Brazil
Cachoeiras de Macacu
One day is enough for the main waterfalls and a quick town stroll; add a night if you want relaxed hiking.
Cachoeiras de Macacu, nicknamed "Land of Crystal Waters", sits 90 km west of Rio de Janeiro. Its dozens of waterfalls (Tenebroso, Sete Quedas, Barba…) are reachable by short hikes from the town centre. With a single day you can see the key falls and sample local grill food; a second night lets you explore the surrounding Serra do Mar trails at a slower pace.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BRL
- Best months
- May–Oct (dry, cooler)
- avoid Dec–Mar (rainy, hotter)
- Airport
- GIG
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Brazil ↗US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa (about US$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Cachoeiras de Macacu190 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cachoeiras de Macacu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$).Brazil-wide
- SIM or eSIMVivo, Claro and TIM cover the country; buying a prepaid SIM needs a passport and sometimes a CPF — an eSIM before you fly is easier.Brazil-wide
- Tap waterDo not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.Brazil-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% service (serviço) usually on the bill; optional but normal.Brazil-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/N. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Brazil-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe during daylight; watch for slippery trails after rain and limited night transport.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.Brazil-wide
- Emergency numbers190 police · 192 ambulance · 193 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysCarnival shuts many businesses for several days; museums often close on Mondays.Brazil-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGIG Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (Main gateway for Rio; about 90 km (56 mi) to Cachoeiras de Macacu).GIG Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (Main gateway for Rio; about 56 mi (90 km) to Cachoeiras de Macacu).
- Getting aroundWalk or local taxi for town sites; use the RJ‑116 highway to reach trailheads.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a caféR$4–6 (≈ US$1–2)
- BeerBeer (draft)R$8–12 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (first 2 km (1.2 mi))Taxi (first 1.2 mi (2 km))R$15–20 (≈ US$3–4)
- Budget bedHotel Palace double room, a night, per roomR$150 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedHotel Palace double room, a night, per roomR$220 (≈ US$45)
- High-end bedHotel Palace double room, a night, per roomR$300 (≈ US$60)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R$70 (≈ US$13) · Mid R$120 (≈ US$25) · High R$200 (≈ US$40)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GIG Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (Main gateway for Rio; about 90 km (56 mi) to Cachoeiras de Macacu)GIG Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (Main gateway for Rio; about 56 mi (90 km) to Cachoeiras de Macacu)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jul (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Mar (13 rain days), driest Jun (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cachoeiras de Macacu: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk or local taxi for town sites; use the RJ‑116 highway to reach trailheads. No regular city bus service; rent a car or arrange a local guide for remote waterfalls.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Parque Estadual dos Três Picos
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Drive RJ‑116 north 20 km (12 mi), then follow park signsDrive RJ‑116 north 12 mi (20 km), then follow park signs
Niterói
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h total
Bus 1001 from Rio to Niterói (80 km (50 mi)), then local bus to town centreBus 1001 from Rio to Niterói (50 mi (80 km)), then local bus to town centre
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Netto
Centro, basic rooms, walk to Parque da Cidade
Hotel Palace
Santa Luíza, near RJ‑116 highway, budget-friendly
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- R$70–120 (≈ US$13–25) excl. bed
- Mid
- R$120–200 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
- High
- R$200 (≈ US$40)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel Netto standard room2 × 1 night × R$180 | R$360 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R$120 | R$240 |
| Van from Rio downtown to Cachoeiras (one‑way)2 × R$45 · check | R$90 |
| Local taxi (5 km)2 × R$30 · check | R$60 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × R$120 · check | R$240 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R$99 |
| Trip total≈ R$545 per person per day, bed included | R$1,089≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | R$4–6 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Feijoada plate | R$25–40 (≈ US$5–8) |
| Beer (draft) | R$8–12 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Taxi (first 2 km) | R$15–20 (≈ US$3–4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Roads to some falls are steep and may be closed after heavy rain – check locally.
- Limited night transport; plan return to Rio or stay overnight.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 190
- Ambulance
- 192
- Fire
- 193
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Cachoeiras de MacacuCachoeiras de Macacu
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police190
- Ambulance192
- Fire193
Embassy
US consulate in Rio de Janeiro (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rio downtown → Cachoeiras van: about R$45 (≈ US$9), 90 km (56 mi), 1½ h (check)about R$45 (≈ US$9), 56 mi (90 km), 1½ h (check)
- Taxi within town (5 km): R$30–35 (≈ US$6–7)
Say or show
- Desculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (des-ku‑LPE)
- Obrigado — Thank you (o‑bree‑GA‑do)
- Quanto custa? — How much is it? (KWAN‑toh KOO‑sta?)
- Onde fica o banheiro? — Where is the bathroom? (ON‑jee FEE‑ka oo ba‑NYEH‑roo?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cachoeiras de Macacu. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct (dry, cooler) · avoid Dec–Mar (rainy, hotter) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a guided waterfall tour for safe rappelling (check local operators).
- Consider a rental car for flexible access to remote falls.
Sources
Ask about Cachoeiras de Macacu
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