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Voykit pocket guide · 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.
- Country
- Brazil
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (crowded, hot), Jul (winter swells, but surfers may prefer it)
- Stay
- 2 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$120–180 excl. bed · Mid R$200–350 excl. bed · High R$400+ 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 (cafézinho) | R$4–8 |
| Açaí bowl (medium) | R$15–25 |
| Beer (long neck, 600 ml) | R$6–12 |
| Beach snack (pastel + juice) | R$12–20 |
| Bus Rio–Saquarema (1001), one way | R$33 (check) |
| Taxi from centre to Itaúna Beach | R$20–30 (check) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- GIG · Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport
- About 100 km (62 mi); bus or car, 1.5–2 hAbout 62 mi (100 km); bus or car, 1.5–2 h
- SDU · Santos Dumont Airport
- Domestic flights only; closer to Rio bus terminals
Typical fares
- Bus Rio–Saquarema (1001)
- about R$33, 1.5–2 h (check)
- Taxi centre → Itaúna Beach
- R$20–30
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
Walking along the beachfront; taxi or Uber for longer distances. A car is useful to reach quieter beaches like Massambaba or Jaconé.
See and do
Known for
- Surfing capital of Brazil
- Itaúna Beach
- Sambaqui da Beirada archaeological site
- Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora de Nazareth (1630)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Arraial do Cabo | Bus or car via RJ-124, about 40 min | About 1 h |
| Armação dos Búzios | Bus or car via RJ-102, about 1 h | About 1.5 h |
| Cabo Frio | Bus or car via RJ-124, about 30 min | About 45 min |
| Rio de Janeiro | Bus (1001) or car via RJ-124 and BR-101, about 1.5–2 h | About 2 h |
Sleep
- 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.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello / Good day | Bom diabohm DEE-ah |
| Thank you | Obrigadooh-bree-GAH-doo |
| How much is it? | Quanto custa?KWAN-toh KOOS-tah |
| Where is the beach? | Onde fica a praia?OHN-dee FEE-kah ah PRY-ah |
| Can I pay by card? | Posso pagar com cartão?POH-soh pah-GAR kohm kar-TOWN |
| The bill, please | A conta, por favorah KOHN-tah por fah-VOR |
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
- 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.
Saquarema is generally safe for a Brazilian beach town, but avoid walking alone on deserted beaches after dark and keep valuables out of sight. Petty theft occurs on crowded beaches.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Saquarema yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Surfing capital of Brazil
- Itaúna Beach
- Sambaqui da Beirada archaeological site
- Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora de Nazareth (1630)
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: Saquarema, revision 5250975 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5250975
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/saquarema). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.