Brazil’s Região dos Lagos pairs Caribbean-clear waters with Atlantic breezes, and Araruama sits at its heart. The city hugs one of the world’s largest hypersaline lagoons, a natural playground for kitesurfers and windsurfers. A short hop away, Búzios charms with 20+ beaches, cobblestone lanes, and golden-hour strolls along Orla Bardot.

Round out the journey in Rio de Janeiro, where granite peaks plunge into the sea and neighborhoods hum with samba. From Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado to sunset from Sugarloaf, Rio’s icons share the stage with Tijuca Forest trails, Guanabara Bay sails, and an ever-evolving dining scene.

Best time to visit is April–June and September–November for good wind and mild temps. Portuguese is the lingua franca; cards are widely accepted, but keep some BRL cash for kiosks. In big cities, use registered taxis or rideshare, leave valuables at your stay, and apply reef-safe sunscreen for boat days.

Araruama

Calm, shallow, and consistently breezy, Lagoa de Araruama is a mecca for watersports and low-key days under casuarina shade. Locals flock to Praia do Centro and Praia do Hospício for swimming, SUP, and golden sunsets gilding the salt flats.

Where to stay: Browse lakeside houses and pousadas on VRBO Araruama or compare hotels and guesthouses on Hotels.com Araruama.

Getting in: Fly into Rio (GIG or SDU). Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. From GIG, it’s ~2–2.5 hours by car to Araruama (toll road Via Lagos); intercity buses run ~R$45–70, 2.5–3 hours, from Rio’s bus terminals.

Days 1–5: Lagoa living, dune sunsets, and blue-water day trips

• Lagoa de Araruama orientation: Start at Praia do Centro for a swim and board rental. The lagoon’s shallow shelf and 15–25-knot winds (Oct–Mar best; breezy most of the year) make beginner kitesurf lessons and windsurf clinics approachable. Early and late afternoon sessions are gentlest for learners.
• Praia Seca and the Massambaba dunes: Drive ~30 minutes east to this ribbon of sand between ocean and lagoon. Walk the dunes for photo-perfect ridgelines, or arrange a 4x4 buggy ride with a local operator. Stay for a fiery sunset, then stargaze before heading back.
• Saquarema surf (easy half-day): ~45 minutes west, Itaúna Beach hosts pro contests for a reason—consistent swell and a dramatic church-topped headland. Even if you don’t surf, stroll the promenade and watch locals ride the bowl. Grab a beachside moqueca and chilled coconut water from the kiosks.
• Arraial do Cabo boat day: 1 hr 15 min from Araruama to Praia dos Anjos for a schooner cruise to Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia, Praia do Forno, and (sea permitting) the Blue Grotto. Expect translucent water, sea turtles, and snorkel stops. For a memorable lunch post-cruise, book Bacalhau do Tuga (Portuguese classics, stellar harbor view) or Sol na Cozinha (creative seafood, seasonal produce).
• Cabo Frio & Ilha do Japonês: ~50 minutes to sand as white as sugar at Praia do Forte. At high tide, hire a quick boat to the islet for calm, clear shallows ideal for families and SUP. Browse Rua dos Biquínis for Brazilian swimwear afterwards.
• Eat & drink nearby: Around the lagoon, look for local cantinas serving pastel de camarão (shrimp pastries), peixe frito (fried fish), and caipirinhas made with passion fruit. For dessert, hunt down brigadeiros and coconut manjar at neighborhood padarias.

Next stop travel (morning departure): Araruama to Búzios is ~1.5–2 hours by car; by bus (Viação 1001), ~1 hr 50 min, ~R$25–40. If you’re flying domestically later, keep an eye on Trip.com and Kiwi.com for deals in and out of Rio.

Búzios

Once a quiet fishing village, Búzios became Brazil’s riviera after Brigitte Bardot visited in the 1960s. Today, cobbled Rua das Pedras, sleek beach clubs, and 20+ coves offer a choose-your-own-adventure of lazy swims, snorkel runs, and sunset bars.

Where to stay: Find sea-view villas and pousadas along Orla Bardot and João Fernandes on VRBO Búzios or browse boutique hotels on Hotels.com Búzios.

Days 6–9: Beach-hop, boat, and feast

• Beach trio to start: Swim the glassy shallows at Praia da Ferradura, then taxi-boat to Azedinha/Azeda for snorkeling among small fish. End at João Fernandes where shaded restaurant decks serve grilled fish and caipirinhas with a view.
• Schooner cruise or private boat: Half-day tours typically stop at Tartaruga, Ossos, and Feia islands with snorkel breaks. Morning departures mean calmer seas and fewer boats; bring a rashguard and reef-safe sunscreen.
• Praia Brava + Rocka lunch: On a breezy day, head to Praia Brava for dramatic scenery and reserve at Rocka Beach Lounge & Restaurant—think octopus rice, airy pavlova, and beanbags by the sand.
• Evenings on Rua das Pedras & Orla Bardot: Start with sunset by the Brigitte Bardot statue, then graze. Consider Bar do Zé (Mediterranean-leaning seafood, excellent wine list), 74 Restaurant at Casas Brancas (contemporary Brazilian, terrace views), and late-night crepes at Chez Michou (a Búzios institution since the 1980s).
• Coffee & casual bites: Maria Maria Café does strong espresso, pão de queijo, and cakes; by day, grab a tapioca or açaí bowl from kiosks near Praia do Canto before strolling the waterfront.

Next stop travel (morning departure): Búzios to Rio de Janeiro is ~2.5–3.5 hours by car, or ~3–4 hours by bus (R$90–120) to Rio’s main terminals, then rideshare to your hotel. If you prefer to arrange flights into/out of Rio, compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio is all superlatives—granite monoliths, urban rainforest, and beaches that double as living rooms. Your last three days weave in the city’s headliners with nature-forward adventures and nights to remember.

Where to stay: For easy access to beaches and sights, compare Copacabana, Ipanema, and Santa Teresa stays on VRBO Rio de Janeiro and Hotels.com Rio de Janeiro.

Days 10–12: Icons, rainforest, bay breezes, and big-city flavors

• Full-day essentials (best first morning): Skip the planning and cover the icons in one go—Christ the Redeemer by train, Sugarloaf, Selarón Steps, and more, with lunch included.

  

  Full Day: Christ Redeemer, Sugarloaf, City Tour & Barbecue Lunch
• Into Tijuca Forest: Swap asphalt for jungle streams, caves, and cascades on a guided hike in Tijuca National Park—the world’s largest urban rainforest. It’s a great way to spot toucans, coatis, and colossal jackfruit trees.

  

  Rainforest Hike in Rio: Tijuca Waterfalls & Caves
• Sunset on Guanabara Bay: Board a yacht, toast with a cold drink, and watch the city ignite under pastel skies as you glide past Niterói’s MAC Museum and historic forts.

  

  Rio de Janeiro Sunset Sailing Tour with Drinks
• A night out, Rio-style: Dress up for a new classic—dinner-and-show in a restored theater setting with live performances and Brazilian flavors.

  

  Rio DE Janeiro : Official Roxy Dinner Show - Dinner + Show

• Breakfast & coffee: Confeitaria Colombo (ornate belle-époque coffeehouse, downtown), Talho Capixaba (Leblon bakery famed for pão de queijo and house-cured roast beef sandwiches), or Café 18 do Forte (ocean-view breakfast at Fort Copacabana).
• Casual lunches: Bar Urca (order shrimp empadas and ice-cold beer, then perch on the seawall), Aconchego Carioca (legendary bolinho de feijoada and citrusy bobó de camarão), or Braseiro da Gávea (picanha platters, farofa, and vinaigrette for sharing).
• Dinners worth planning: Aprazível (hilltop Santa Teresa views, Amazonian ingredients), Garota de Ipanema (classic bar fare where the bossa nova anthem was penned), and Cervantes (Copacabana’s cult-favorite roast pork-with-pineapple sandwich).
• Free time ideas: Laze on Ipanema and watch the Two Brothers peak glow at sunset; ride the Sugarloaf cable car after 4 p.m. for softer light; or join a samba roda in Lapa on the weekend.

Departure: From Rio, ride to GIG/SDU ~30–60 minutes depending on traffic. Check fares and schedules on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Why this route works: You’ll ease in on Araruama’s calm lagoon, up the tempo among Búzios’ beaches and dining, then finish strong with Rio’s greatest hits and a dose of urban rainforest. Travel days are short, mornings are for movement, and sunsets are front-row center.

Expect steady breezes, clear water, and flavors that run from beachside moquecas to modern Brazilian tasting menus. With this plan, you’ll see Brazil’s coast in three acts—serene, sparkling, and spectacular.