Day Trips Near Rio de Janeiro

By the Rio de Janeiro City Tours Editorial Team · Published from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Once you have ticked off the city icons, Rio makes a great base for day trips. Petropolis, the imperial summer capital, is the closest and easiest, about ninety minutes up into the cool Serra dos Orgaos, with its palace museum and crisp mountain air. It pairs well with a relaxed second day after the climbs of Corcovado and Sugarloaf.

For clear turquoise water, Arraial do Cabo on the Costa do Sol is often called the Brazilian Caribbean, with boat tours hopping between white-sand beaches and the Gruta Azul sea cave. The glamorous peninsula of Buzios, about two and a half hours away, has more than twenty beaches and a lively dining street. Both are doable in a day, though many choose to stay overnight.

If you have more time, the car-free island of Ilha Grande offers jungle trails and the stunning Lopes Mendes beach, while the colonial town of Paraty rewards an overnight with cobbled streets and waterfalls. Guided day trips handle the transport, tickets and timing, which is the easy way to reach these spots from Rio without renting a car.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best day trip from Rio?
Petropolis is the closest and easiest for history and mountain air. Arraial do Cabo has the clearest beaches, and Buzios suits a stylish beach day.
Can you do Buzios as a day trip from Rio?
Yes, Buzios is about two and a half hours away and works as a long day trip, though many travelers choose to stay overnight to enjoy the nightlife.