The Best 6 Day Trips To Take From Rio De Janeiro

The beauty about Rio de Janeiro is that it’s not just the city itself that has incredible things to do; the surrounding areas have an array of treasures such as boat trips, fabulous beaches or breath-taking hikes that will make any trip that extra bit special. The following suggestions can be done in a day or longer for those with the itinerary for it.

Petrópolis

Petropólis is a city just north of Rio de Janeiro. With its close proximity to the Atlantic Forest and elevation in the mountains of Serra National Park, it’s much milder than Rio, making it a popular summer retreat to escape the blistering temperatures down by the coast. It’s easy to get there with regular buses running from Rio’s Rodoviário (Bus Terminal) every day and it takes about an hour and a half to get there. Take a guided tour around the Bohemia Beer factory before heading out to see the Crystal Palace, a fancy building constructed entirely of glass. Or check out the Santos Dumont Museums and the Imperial Museum of Brazil, enjoy a small hike and then relax in the park.

Ilha Grande (Big Island)

Arraial do Cabo and Cabo Frio

These two areas are in close proximity so can be visited on the same day or both can be enjoyed over the course of a couple of days. Arraial do Cabo is stunning with its clear waters and white sands, and its diverse sea life and old wrecks give it the name of ‘The Diving Capital’. Take a boat trip to visit some of the other natural attractions there such as Praia do Forno and Praia do Farol, two gorgeous beaches, as well as visit caves and see dolphins. Cabo Frio is a bit further north and is one of the best kite-surfing and surfing spots in Rio with its beautiful beaches and choppier waters. Buses run from Rio bus terminal to Cabo Frio and take about two and a half hours.

Praia do Forno, a beach in Arraial do Cabo

Paraty

This colonial town south of Rio oozes charm in abundance with its little cobbled streets free from any motor vehicles and its white-washed buildings. There are plenty of restaurants nestled in between the streets with tables flowing out onto pavements and live bands playing. The town draws in artists and writers, and it is not uncommon to see people painting beautiful images on large canvases in the street. There are lots of attractions nearby such as pristine beaches and waterfalls that can be accessed by boat trips or guide tours in the city. A bus from Rio to Paraty takes about four and a half hours.

Búzios

Búzios is one of the most popular day and weekend trips for residents in Rio. It is considered an upmarket destination due to its breath-taking clean sands and crystal clear seas, as well as the famous Rua das Pedras which is a street in the centre of good restaurants, buzzing bars and hot nightlife. Some of the best beaches include Ferradura which is known for its beauty, snorkelling and other water sports, and Geriba that is a surfer’s paradise due to its larger waves. A bus from Rio’s bus terminal will take less than three hours.

Parque Nacional Serra dos Órgãos (Serra dos Órgãos National Park)

This national park is famous for its wild forest, exotic animals and 10 peaks higher than 2,000 meters. The highest peak is Pedra do Sino (Rock of the Bell) standing proud at 2,263 meters, yet the more famous mountain is Dedo de Deus (God’s finger) due to its unique resemblance to a pointing finger. There are various hiking trips, rock climbing and natural pools to enjoy and this can be done through a reputable company. One hiking path is 1.3 kilometers and is suspended nine meters above the floor, offering a unique perspective of the forest and the mountain range. There is a 30 kilometer hike that takes three days between Teresópolis and Petropolis with camping spots and tents for hire dotted along the path. Hiking tours include transport there. For those going solo, take a bus to Teresópolis to get to one of the main entrances to the park. The bus takes approximately two hours.

Sunrise at Serra with ‘God’s Finger’ in the background

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.