Major city · Brazil
Arraial do Cabo
Spend 2 days: one for beach/boat tours, another for diving or a short hike; travel time from Rio de Janeiro about 2 h by car.
Arraial do Cabo is a small coastal town in Rio de Janeiro's Lakes Region, famed for clear waters and diving. It is reachable from Rio in ~2 h by car or bus, and most attractions cluster near the high street, making a short stay sufficient.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BRL
- Best months
- Oct–Mar (dry, milder temperatures, good diving conditions)
- avoid Apr–Sep (rainier, hotter, occasional stormy seas)
- Airports
- GIG · SDU · CFB
- Nights
- 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$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Arraial do Cabo190 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Arraial do Cabo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$).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 for tourists; stay alert on unlit roads at night and keep valuables secure on beaches.
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 Galeão – Tom Jobim International Airport (Rio de Janeiro; ~2 h drive via RJ‑104/106/132/102).
- Getting aroundcheckRent a car (passport required) or take the 1001 bus from Rio (R$ 65 (≈ US$13) one‑way, 2015 price, check).
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)
- BeerBeer (copo)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$50 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedBoutique hotel double, a night, per roomR$400 (≈ US$75)
- High-end bedBoutique hotel double, a night, per roomR$650 (≈ US$130)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R$120 (≈ US$25) · Mid R$200 (≈ US$40) · High R$350 (≈ US$65)
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 Galeão – Tom Jobim International Airport (Rio de Janeiro; ~2 h drive via RJ‑104/106/132/102) · SDU Santos Dumont Airport (Rio de Janeiro; shorter drive) · CFB Cabo Frio Airport (Near Arraial; limited flights)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jul (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Arraial do Cabo: 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
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°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
Rent a car (passport required) or take the 1001 bus from Rio (R$ 65 one‑way, 2015 price, check). Uber works in town; most sites are walkable from Rua Leonel Mouro Brizola.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Búzios
goDoor to door: ~1 h total
Bus or car, ~30 min north
Popular beach town; easy to combine with Arraial
Cabo Frio
goDoor to door: ~30 min
Car or bus, ~15 min south
Another beach hub with nightlife
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.
Orlanova Boutique
Modern hotel near Praia dos Anjos; free parking, breakfast, Wi‑Fi
Hostel Villas Boas
Dorms ~R$50; pool, free Wi‑Fi
Pousada do Timoneiro
Ask for diver discount; central location
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$120–180 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- R$180–300 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- High
- R$300 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed2 × 2 nights × R$70 | R$280 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × R$200 | R$800 |
| Car rental (2 days, compact, insurance)2 × R$300 · check | R$600 |
| Bus ticket Rio → Arraial (one‑way)2 × R$65 · 2015 price, check | R$130 |
| Dive two‑tank (incl. gear, GoPro)2 × R$265 · SeaQuest Sub | R$530 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × R$120 · check | R$240 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R$258 |
| Trip total≈ R$710 per person per day, bed included | R$2,838≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in reais; flights and long‑distance bus not included.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | R$5–8 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Fresh fish dish (peixe grelhado) | R$30–50 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Beer (copo) | R$8–12 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Taxi (5 km) | R$30–45 (≈ US$6–9) |
| Bus ticket Rio → Arraial | R$65 (≈ US$13) (check) |
| Boat tour (2 h) | R$80–120 (≈ US$15–25) |
| Dive two‑tank | R$265 (≈ US$50) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Unmarked speed bumps on the main road; night driving can be hazardous.
- Boat tours to Grota Azul are view‑only; no diving or snorkeling allowed there.
- Peak season weekends can make beaches crowded; book early‑morning tours.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 190
- Ambulance
- 192
- Fire
- 193
Pocket card
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Arraial do CaboArraial do Cabo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police190
- Ambulance192
- Fire193
Embassy
US consulate in Rio de Janeiro; other embassies in Brasília (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rio (GIG) → Arraial (car): about R$150–200 (≈ US$30–40) fuel + tolls, 2 h drive (check)
- Bus Rio → Arraial (Auto Viação 1001): R$65 (≈ US$13) one‑way (check)
- Uber within town: R$15–30 (≈ US$3–6) for short trips
Say or show
- Com licença — Excuse me / Sorry
- Obrigado — Thank you
- Quanto custa? — How much is it?
- Onde fica o banheiro? — Where is the bathroom?
- Posso pagar com cartão? — Can I pay by card?
- Preciso de um táxi — I need a taxi
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 Arraial do Cabo. 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: Oct–Mar (dry, milder temperatures, good diving conditions) · avoid Apr–Sep (rainier, hotter, occasional stormy seas) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Car‑rental contract from Rio airports; keep passport, not copies.
- Bus tickets via Auto Viação 1001; verify schedule close to travel date.
- Dive‑school bookings (SeaQuest Sub, Sand’ Mar); confirm English‑speaking staff.
Sources
Ask about Arraial do Cabo
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