Major city · Brazil
Macaé
Spend 1–2 days in Macaé: 1 day for beaches and city sights, add a half‑day for a nearby waterfall district if you have extra time.
Macaé, the "City of Petroleum" in northern Rio de Janeiro state, sits 180 km north of Rio de Janeiro. Its main draws are two urban beaches, a historic church, nearby forested districts with waterfalls, and the Imbetiba lighthouse. The town is small enough for a half‑day itinerary, but a full day lets you enjoy both beach and cultural sites.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BRL
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (dry, warm)
- avoid Jan–Mar (rainy season)
- Airport
- MEA
- Nights
- 1
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$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Macaé190 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Macaé, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$).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
- SafetyMacaé is generally safe for tourists; petty theft can occur in crowded areas – keep valuables hidden and avoid isolated beaches after dark.
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.
- AirportMEA Joaquim de Azevedo Mancebo Airport.
- Getting aroundWalk or local taxi within the town centre (5 km (3.1 mi)).Walk or local taxi within the town centre (3.1 mi (5 km)).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)R$5–8 (≈ US$1–2)
- Street or quick mealBeach snack (açaí bowl)R$12–20 (≈ US$3–4)
- BeerBeer (draft)R$8–12 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))R$30–45 (≈ US$6–9)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personR$80 (≈ US$15)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R$80 (≈ US$15) · 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
- MEA Joaquim de Azevedo Mancebo Airport
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
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jul (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Macaé: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
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
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 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 within the town centre (5 km). For Arraial do Sana or other districts use a hired car or local bus; rides are ~30 min each way.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Arraial do Sana
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Local bus or taxi, about 30 min each way
Forests, waterfalls, campgrounds; check access after heavy rain.
Imbetiba Lighthouse
goDoor to door: ≈45 min total
Taxi via Petrobras interchange at Campista beach, 20 min
Historic lighthouse, open to visitors.
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.
Del Rey
Quiet inn in Centro, breakfast included.
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$80–120 (≈ US$15–25) excl. bed
- Mid
- R$120–200 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
- High
- R$200 (≈ US$40)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed2 × 1 night × R$120 | R$240 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R$120 | R$240 |
| Bus Rio → Macaé (one way)2 × R$70 · check | R$140 |
| Taxi within town (5 km)2 × R$30 · check | R$60 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × R$120 · check | R$240 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R$92 |
| Trip total≈ R$506 per person per day, bed included | R$1,012≈ US$190 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | R$5–8 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Beach snack (açaí bowl) | R$12–20 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Beer (draft) | R$8–12 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Taxi (5 km) | R$30–45 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Bus ticket Rio → Macaé | R$70–90 (≈ US$13–17) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus schedules from Rio de Janeiro can vary; confirm times before travel.
- Some waterfall sites have limited access in rainy season – check local guidance.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 190
- Ambulance
- 192
- Fire
- 193
Pocket card
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MacaéMacaé
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police190
- Ambulance192
- Fire193
Embassy
US consulate in Rio de Janeiro (check address); other consulates in São Paulo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rio de Janeiro → Macaé (bus): ≈ R$80, 2 h
- Taxi within Macaé (5 km): ≈ R$35
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 Macaé. 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: Apr–Oct (dry, warm) · avoid Jan–Mar (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area 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 night in Macaé if you want sunrise at Cavaleiros beach.
- Combine with a Rio de Janeiro visit (180 km, 2‑h bus) for a coastal circuit.
Sources
- officialWikidata – Macaé
- secondaryWikivoyage: Macaé, revision 5325117 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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