Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ACTIVITIES
Diving and snorkelling
Casamar, Rua das Pedras 241
(
T
22 2623 2441,
W
www.casamar.com.br) is among
several dive operators based in Armação who lead scuba
trips to the Ilha Âncoa (R$190 for two dives if you already
1
have a certificate, R$220 for an initiation dive if you don't;
equipment included). People on the beaches rent
snorkelling equipment for around R$15 a day.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation in Búzios is fairly expensive, and in
high season
(Dec-Feb) reservations are essential, although the
tourist o
ces will do their best to help you find a room. If nothing's available in Búzios, you might consider staying in
Cabo
Frio
, where rooms are cheaper and usually easier to come by.
★
Casa Búzios
Rua Morro do Humaitá, Casa 1,
Armação
T
22 2623 7002,
W
pousadacasabuzios.com.
Very friendly home from home, with lovely rooms
betraying an attention to detail that makes this more a
luxurious B&B than a
pousada
. Ther
e's an a
ttractive garden
with ocean views and a small pool.
R$350
Hibiscus Beach
Rua 1, Praia de João Fernandes
T
22 2623 6221,
W
hibiscusbeach.com.br.
Spacious
bungalows, each with a small terrace and wonderful sea
views, are the order of the day at this welcoming British-
owned and -run
pousada
. There's a good-sized pool, and
the area's best snorkelling beach is very close, while
Arma
çao's ni
ghtlife is a 5min taxi ride (or 20min walk)
away.
R$483
El Misti Yellow
Rua de Mandrágora 15 (off Av José
Bento Ribeiro Dantas, 1km southeast of central
Armação)
T
22 2623 3174,
W
elmistihostelbuzios.com.
Yes, it is possible to be a scruffy backpacker and stay
cheaply in Búzios, although it's a bit of a walk to the beach.
Sill, the com
pany h
ere's congenial, and there's even a small
pool. D
orms
R$45
; doubles (available out-of-season only)
R$130
Pérola Búzios
Av José Bento Ribeiro Dantas 222,
Armação
T
22 2620 8507,
W
perolabuzios.com.br.
All
the facilities you'd expect of a luxury hotel, including stylish
modern furniture, a fitness centre and spa, and a large,
beautiful pool. Although there's no sea
view, t
he hotel is
located just metres from Rua das Pedras.
R$663
Pousada Saint Germain
Alto do Humaitá (landward
side, 150m from Orla Bardot)
T
22 2623 1044,
W
saintgermain-buzios.com.br.
A quiet
pousada
run by a
Brazilian woman and her American husband, with
mosquito nets in all rooms,
most
of which can
accommodate four or five people.
R$250
Santa Fé
Praça Santos Dumont 300, Armação
T
22 2623 6404,
W
pousadasantafe.com.
Rooms are
simple and small and the staff rather unfriendly, but the
lounge is attractive and it's right in the centre of Armação.
Despite its flaws, it's good value a
nd very
popular thanks to
its proximity to Búzios's nightlife.
R$260
★
Solar do Peixe Vivo
Rua José Bento Ribeiro
Dantas 999, Armação
T
22 2623 1850,
W
peixevivobuzios.com.br.
Attached to a good
restaurant (see opposite), the guest rooms, in one of the
oldest buildings in Búzios, are simple but spacious, and
it's right on the beach (the genial owner jokes that it's
his swimming pool). If you want to play Robinson
Crusoe, they also have one chalet on a completely
undevel
oped b
each,
near th
e owner's own house.
Doubles
R$400
; chalet
R$250
EATING AND DRINKING
With few exceptions,
restaurants
in Búzios are predictably expensive. The best places to eat are in Armação, especially
along Rua das Pedras and Orla Bardot, which were originally part of (and have continuous numbering with) Avenida José
Bento Ribeiro Dantas. Less expensive options include some excellent
por quilo
restaurants in the town centre, especially on
Rua Manoel Turíbio de Farias, which runs immediately parallel to Rua das Pedres. Cheapest of all, and often excellent, are
the beachside
barracas
selling oysters and grilled fish.
Bananaland
Rua Manoel Turíbio de Farias 50
T
22
2623 2666,
W
restaurantebananaland.com.br.
One of
the best
por quilo
restaurants in Búzios (R$67.50/kg), and
one of the cheapest for a solid meal; the choice among the
buffet of salads and hot dishes is outstanding.
Mon-Fri &
Sun 11.30am-10.30pm, Sat 11.30am-11.30pm.
Bar do Zé
Rua Orla Bardot 382
T
22 2263 4986.
Celebrities from Rio congregate here: it specializes in
creative seafood dishes (snapper in passion fruit sauce
R$69, octopus in oyster sauce R$72), but the main point of
this place to see and be seen.
Mon 6pm-midnight,
Tues-Sun 1pm-midnight.
Boom
Rua Manoel Turíbio de Farias 110
T
22 2623
6254,
W
boombuzios.com.br.
A superior
por quilo
restaurant (R$68.90/kg) with a good range of hot Brazilian
dishes (especially from Minas Gerais), salads, grilled fish,
sushi and
churrasco
, served in an attractive modern setting.
Daily noon-11pm.
Buzin
Rua Manoel Turíbio de Farias 273
T
22 2633
7051.
The extensive and sophisticated range of dishes at
