For travelers who live far from Brazil's Diving Capital and only have a weekend to visit.
Arraial do Cabo attracts visitors from everywhere. Its Brazilian Caribbean nickname is well earned: some of the country's best beaches and dive sites are right here. It's well worth the trip!
But an amazing weekend can also be tiring if it involves many hours behind the wheel. Here are a few tips for arriving by bus, car or plane.
BY BUS
If you live far away and only have the weekend, an overnight bus is a great option, especially for an active trip such as a diving course. You can rest on both journeys. On routes of up to twelve hours, you can leave Friday night and return early Monday. From São Paulo, for example, you can leave at 8 p.m. on Friday and arrive back at 6 a.m. on Monday. If your destination is Cabo Frio, a 15-minute Uber ride from Arraial, there are more departure times to choose from. Pick a comfortable bus so you arrive rested. Check schedules on ClickBus or another ticket-booking website.
BY CAR
Driving is a good option if the journey won't take up most of your weekend. It gives you privacy, flexibility and the freedom to stop for a meal, stretch your legs or take photos. Sometimes the road trip becomes part of the fun!
BY PLANE
Flying is the best option if you live a long way away. You can fly to Rio de Janeiro (Santos Dumont or Galeão) or directly to Cabo Frio. From Rio's airports, the bus station is a short journey away. From there, buses reach Arraial or Cabo Frio in around three more hours. If you fly directly to Cabo Frio Airport, Arraial is only another 15 minutes away by Uber.
Whichever route you choose, book ahead for better fares. Check flights and schedules on MaxMilhas or another travel website.
Important: after your final course dive on Sunday at 4:30 p.m., you need to wait 18 hours before flying. If you're flying home, you'll probably arrive on Monday afternoon.