You’ve partied your way through Carnival, it was the most spectacular 5 days of your life. Your feet are samba weary and your liver is in need of a break. So now is the time to make like a carioca and head to one of the beautiful beach resorts along the coast of Rio de Janeiro State.
- Angra Dos ReisRodrigo_Soldon / Travel Photos / CC BY-NC-SA
Here are our recommendations on where to kick back and relax post Carnival:
- Angra Dos Reis
The name means ‘anchor of the kings’ – quite literally where royalty should and would park their yachts. This archipelago of islands has long been the chosen holiday destination for the smart Sao Paulo elite and fun seeking cariocas.
Deep green water, white sandy beaches, luxurious property and even your own private tropical island, this is the perfect place to rejuvenate and sits just 3 hours drive from Rio.
- Paraty
- ParatyChaval Brasil / People Photos / CC BY-NC-ND
A mere 4 hour drive from the city of Rio and you have stepped back in time to colonial Brazil. Paraty is a beautiful colonial town, which used to serve as a slave and gold port during the time of the Portuguese empire. Today, colourful houses and ornate churches line the cobbled streets. Bars and restaurants provide endless evening entertainment with a relaxed, low-key atmosphere. During the day you can rent an old-fashioned wooden boat to take you out to the various deserted beaches and islands that surround the area, or why not hike to the spectacular waterfalls?
- Buzios
- BuziosRodrigo_Soldon / Beach Photos / CC BY-NC-SA
A two hour drive from Rio and you are in magical Buzios, the famous sea side town that Bridget Bardot fell in love with. Set on a peninsular, Buzios offers the best surfing beaches in this part of the world as well as calm bays perfect for swimmers. The town itself has plenty of bars and restaurants – as well as Pacha and Privilege nightclubs for those who don’t want to rest yet! Spend your days exploring the many beaches or just lounging at one of the many chic beach bars such as Fishbone on Gerbia or Rocka on Brava.
