Brazil - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 251

ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
By bus Services from N.S. de Copacabana and Largo do
Machado, via the 14km Rio-Niterói bridge, take you into
the centre of Niterói; MAC and Icaraí neighbourhood are
a further bus journey (numerous services; look on front of
bus) or a 30min walk.
By ferry The best way to get to Niterói is by ferry (see
p.249). MAC is just 1.5km from the ferry terminal, passing
the Universidade Federal Fluminense en route.
Tourist o ce Estrada Leopoldo Fróes 773, São Francisco
( T 0800 282 7755, W niteroiturismo.com.br).

Ì TREAT YOURSELF
The Hibiscus Beach Hotel Rua 1 No. 22,
Quadra C. Praia de João Fernandes
T 22 2623 6221, W hibiscusbeach.com.br.
Gorgeous bungalows, each with a small
terrace and wonderful sea views, at this
welcoming, British-owned pousada with
a good-sized pool in a flower-filled
garden. The area's be st sno rkelling beach
is just seconds away. R$260

ACCOMMODATION
Búzios Central Hostel Av José Bento Ribeiro Dantas
1475 T 22 2623 9232, W buzioscentral.com.br. An
HI-a liated hostel with attractive gardens and a plunge
pool. Dorms are a little cramped but reasonable, an d small l
doubles the ch eapest you'll get in town. Dorms R$40 ,
doubles R$118
Meu Sonho Av José Bento Ribeiro Dantas 1289, Ossos
T 22 2623 0902, W meusonhobuzios.com.br. The best
“budget” pousada in town and just a block f rom the beach,
with clean, basic rooms and a plunge pool. R$160

EATING
A wide selection of eateries is to be found along the
seafront in São Francisco bairro , beyond Icaraí.
Da Carmine Rua Mariz e Barros 305, Icaraí. Serves the
city's best pizzas by far, and, though not cheap, won't
break the bank. Lunch Tues-Sun; dinner daily.
Ì Mercado de Peixe São Pedro Av Visconde do Rio
Branco 55. Be sure to visit this small market complex,
a 5min walk north from the ferry terminal, with a superb
group of low-key seafood restaurants and stalls. Tues-
Sun, lunchtime only.

3

EATING, DRINKING AND NIGHTLIFE
Restaurants in Búzios are, predictably, expensive; cheaper
options include the grilled fish stalls on the beaches and
numerous pizza places in outlying parts of town.
Bananaland Rua Manoel Turíbio de Farias 50. On a
street parallel to Rua das Pedras, this is the best por
kilo restaurant in Búzios, and one of the cheapest for
a good meal (R$28). Outstanding buffet of salads and
hot dishes.
Chez Michou Crêperie Rua das Pedras 90. Belgian-
owned, this has long been the town's most popular
hangout, thanks to its open-air bar, cheap drinks and
authentic crêpes. Open until dawn for post- Pacha or
Privilège clubbers.
Pacha Búzios Rua das Pedras 151 T 22 2292 9606,
W pachabuzios.com. The venue of choice for trendy
clubbers, Ibiza-based Pacha has helped bring Balearic
glitz and top-name DJs to Búzios. Fri-Sat from 11pm;
entry from R$40.
Privilège Av José Bento Ribeiro Dantas 550 T 22 2620
8585, W privilegenet.com.br. Despite Pacha 's rise as venue
of choice in the last few years, Privilège is still the town's
biggest club, has a great party atmosphere, and, at half the
price of its rival, is much better value. Fri-Sat from 11pm;
entry from R$20.
Sawasdee Av José Bento Ribeiro Dantas 422 W sawasdee
.com.br. Excellent, spicy Thai food, with great vegetarian
choices, seafood and meat options (from R$35). Thurs-
Tues 6pm-midnight.

BÚZIOS
The most famous resort on this stretch,
“discovered” by Brigitte Bardot in
1964 and nicknamed “Brazil's
St Tropez”, is Armação dos Búzios,
or BÚZIOS as it's commonly known. A
former whaling town, it's now cashing
in on the upscale tourist market. Bardot
described the sea here as “foaming like
blue champagne”, and the seafront
promenade, the Orla Bardot , now bears
a statue of her in homage. From
December to February the population
swells from 20,000 to 150,000, and
boats now take pleasure-seekers island
hopping and scuba diving along the
very beautiful coastline. If a crowded
24-hour resort full of high-spending
beautiful people and buzzing nightclubs
is your thing then you're sure to fall for
Búzios; if not, give it a miss - at least in
high season.

ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
By bus Direct buses from Rio run at least five times a day,
arriving at the rodoviária on Estrada da Usina Velha.
Tourist information The helpful tourist o ce is on
Praça Santos Dumont ( T 22 2623 2099, W buzios.com.br).