With crystal-clear water and white sand, Arraial do Cabo has earned the nickname “the Brazilian Caribbean”. The town is in the Lakes Region, about 165 km from Rio. Here is how to get from Rio de Janeiro to Arraial do Cabo, and how to go straight there from the airport.
Rio to Arraial do Cabo private transfer
The transfer picks you up at your hotel in Rio or at the airport (Galeão or Santos Dumont) and drops everyone at the guesthouse, at a fixed price and with no changes. If you are arriving on an international flight, it is the most direct way to get from the plane to the beach.
Transfer to Arraial do Cabo
Enter your pickup point (hotel or airport) and your guesthouse in Arraial to see the fixed transfer price.
By bus
Buses leave from the Novo Rio bus station (Viação 1001) and take about 3 hours to Arraial do Cabo, sometimes stopping in Cabo Frio. It is the cheapest option, but you need to get to the bus station first and, in Arraial, make your own way to the guesthouse.
By car
The route is the same as for Búzios as far as São Pedro da Aldeia: the Rio-Niterói Bridge, the BR-101 and the Via Lagos, with tolls, then the road towards Cabo Frio and Arraial. In high season, parking near Prainha and Praia Grande is difficult.
Comparison
| Option | Time | Door to door | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | 2.5–3 h | Yes | Families, groups, airport departures |
| Bus | ~3 h + getting to and from stations | No | Solo travellers with light luggage |
| Rental car | 2.5–3 h | Yes | Travellers exploring the region |
Combining Arraial, Cabo Frio and Búzios
The three towns are close together. A popular plan is to spend a few days in each, with a transfer there and back. See Rio to Cabo Frio, Rio to Búzios and GIG to Búzios transfer.
