Major city · Brazil
Saquarema
Two nights if you surf or want a quiet beach town; one night if passing through the Lakes Region. Skip if you only have time for Búzios or Arraial do Cabo.
Saquarema, 100 km east of Rio, is known as Brazil's surfing capital. Itaúna Beach draws consistent waves, while the quieter beaches and the 4,500-year-old Sambaqui da Beirada archaeological site round out a low-key coastal visit. The town itself is small; most travellers come for the surf or as a stop between Rio and the Lakes Region.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BRL
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Dec–Feb (crowded, hot), Jul (winter swells, but surfers may prefer it)
- Airports
- GIG · SDU
- 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$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Saquarema190 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Saquarema, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$).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
- SafetySaquarema is generally safe for a Brazilian beach town, but avoid walking alone on deserted beaches after dark and keep valuables out of sight.
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 (About 100 km (62 mi); bus or car, 1.5–2 h).GIG Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (About 62 mi (100 km); bus or car, 1.5–2 h).
- Getting aroundWalking along the beachfront; taxi or Uber for longer distances.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (cafézinho)R$4–8 (≈ US$1–2)
- Street or quick mealBeach snack (pastel + juice)R$12–20 (≈ US$3–4)
- BeerBeer (long neck, 600 ml)R$6–12 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from centre to Itaúna BeachR$20–30 (≈ US$4–6) (check)
- Metro or bus rideBus Rio–Saquarema (1001), one wayR$33 (≈ US$7) (check)
- Budget bedApartment or house (up to 4), a night, per roomR$200 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedPousada double room, a night, per roomR$250 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedPousada double room, a night, per roomR$400 (≈ US$75)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R$120 (≈ US$25) · Mid R$250 (≈ US$50) · High R$500 (≈ US$95)
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 (About 100 km (62 mi); bus or car, 1.5–2 h) · SDU Santos Dumont Airport (Domestic flights only; closer to Rio bus terminals)GIG Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (About 62 mi (100 km); bus or car, 1.5–2 h) · SDU Santos Dumont Airport (Domestic flights only; closer to Rio bus terminals)
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
Best
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
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jun (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jan (14 rain days), driest Jun (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Saquarema: 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)
14 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)
13 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14 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
Walking along the beachfront; taxi or Uber for longer distances. A car is useful to reach quieter beaches like Massambaba or Jaconé.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus or car via RJ-124, about 40 min
Crystal-clear waters and boat tours; go early to avoid queues.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Bus or car via RJ-102, about 1 h
Upscale peninsula with 20+ beaches; good for a day trip.
Door to door: About 45 min
Bus or car via RJ-124, about 30 min
Historic town with dunes and the Forte de São Mateus.
Rio de Janeiro
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus (1001) or car via RJ-124 and BR-101, about 1.5–2 h
Doable as a day trip but long; better as a separate stay.
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.
Itaúna Beach area
Closest to the main surf break; pousadas and casual restaurants.
Centro (town centre)
More budget options and bus access; 10 min by taxi to the beach.
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$200–350 (≈ US$40–65) excl. bed
- High
- R$400 (≈ US$75)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pousada double room1 × 2 nights × R$250 | R$500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × R$250 | R$1,000 |
| Bus Rio–Saquarema (1001), one way2 × R$33 · check | R$66 |
| Taxi from centre to Itaúna Beach1 × R$25 · check | R$25 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R$159 |
| Trip total≈ R$438 per person per day, bed included | R$1,750≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in BRL; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (cafézinho) | R$4–8 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Açaí bowl (medium) | R$15–25 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Beer (long neck, 600 ml) | R$6–12 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Beach snack (pastel + juice) | R$12–20 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Bus Rio–Saquarema (1001), one way | R$33 (≈ US$7) (check) |
| Taxi from centre to Itaúna Beach | R$20–30 (≈ US$4–6) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Strong rip currents at Itaúna and other ocean beaches; swim only where lifeguards are present.
- Surf championships can close beach access or cause crowds; check the schedule.
- Bus service from Rio is limited after 20:00; plan an early departure.Bus service from Rio is limited after 8:00 PM; plan an early departure.
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.
SaquaremaSaquarema
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police190
- Ambulance192
- Fire193
Embassy
Most embassies are in Brasília; consulates in Rio de Janeiro. US Consulate Rio: +55 21 3823-2000.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Rio–Saquarema (1001): about R$33 (≈ US$7), 1.5–2 h (check)
- Taxi centre → Itaúna Beach: R$20–30 (≈ US$4–6)
Say or show
- Bom dia — Hello / Good day (bohm DEE-ah)
- Obrigado — Thank you (oh-bree-GAH-doo)
- Quanto custa? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KOOS-tah)
- Onde fica a praia? — Where is the beach? (OHN-dee FEE-kah ah PRY-ah)
- Posso pagar com cartão? — Can I pay by card? (POH-soh pah-GAR kohm kar-TOWN)
- A conta, por favor — The bill, please (ah KOHN-tah por fah-VOR)
check
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 Saquarema. 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: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Dec–Feb (crowded, hot), Jul (winter swells, but surfers may prefer it) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Saquarema
Loading…
Was this useful?