Buzios - The St Tropez Of Brazil

Búzios has been called the St Tropez of Brazil and it´s well deserved. This is where people go to spend money, eat well, party and enjoy the beach. It is a favourite hangout for rich and affluent Cariocas.

After a quite turbulent history with slave trade, whaling and fishing Búzios started their tourist venture in the 1950´s. It quickly grew to proportions. Today you have resident population around 25.000 and around 150 hotels and pousadas – Several upper end shops and restaurants as well as night clubs that hold a international level. The tourism generates huge amount of money.

On of the definite charm of this place is how the original architecture has been incorporated in new houses. New constructions are kept under a two storey limit which has created a great ambiance. Early the responsible understood the potential in keeping the original buildings and structure. Armação de Búzios, which is the main center, has of course changed a lot since Brigitte Bardot came here in 1964, but she would recognize herself. Rua das Pedras is cobble stoned and the big commerce is nicely incorporated in existing structures. This lesson should have been learnt by neighboring Cabo Frio where the whole beach front on Praia do Forte consists of time share apartment blocks - Quick money and short term work opportunities won the battle against creating a commercial area that would attract affluent tourists - thousands of work opportunities and huge tax incomes were lost.

Búzios is a quite small peninsula which hold no less than 25 beaches, clear warm water and white sands make it a paradise. For example Geribá, a surfers beach with decent waves most of the year. Fishbone is a really poplular after beach bar. Another is João Fernandes, within walking distance from Rua das Pedras, attracting large crowds with live music and many bars.

When it comes to activities you have a lot of options - You can surf, go on boat trips, play golf, drive Go-kart and scuba dive to name a few. Rainy days you have good shopping, game arcades and many cafés and restaurant. At night there are some top notch nightclubs with international DJ´s – Pascha and Privilege being the most famous.

You should not come here if you are looking for a genuine experience of Brazilian life - you´ll meet scandivians, Italians, Argentinians and Brazilian weekenders. Come here if you want to splash out and live the good life, eating well, partying hard and enjoying the beaches. If you are on a budget there are plenty of better places to go.

Gringo-Rio - Búzios
Gringo-Rio is a travel information site about Rio de Janeiro. Go here to read more about Búzios.