Day Trips from Rio de Janeiro — Búzios, Angra dos Reis, Petrópolis & Beyond
Rio is the base for some of Brazil's best escapes — book a boat day to Búzios, island-hopping at Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande, the imperial city of Petrópolis, or a Pedra da Gávea hike.
Available
6 options
Avg. rating
4.8 - 9,406 reviews
From
$218 BRL
Cancellation
Free up to 24h before
Day Trips from Rio: what to know before booking
Rio is the base for some of Brazil's best escapes — book a boat day to Búzios, island-hopping at Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande, the imperial city of Petrópolis, or a Pedra da Gávea hike.
- Availability
- 6 ticket options compared
- Starting price
- Tickets currently start around $218 BRL before checkout fees.
- Rating signal
- Compared options average 4.8 stars across 9,406 traveler reviews.
- Location
- Departures from central Rio pickup points; coastal trips head west to Angra/Ilha Grande or east to Búzios, Petrópolis to the north
- Best time
- Morning departure to maximise beach and boat time and beat the midday heat
- Ticket note
- Date-specific; pickup times are strict, be ready 10–15 minutes early
Day Trips from Rio in Rio de Janeiro
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Everything you should know before you book
Rio's location on the Costa Verde and at the foot of the Serra puts world-class day trips within reach. Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande deliver clear water and hundreds of islands; the chic beach town of Búzios is a boat-trip favourite; mountain-cool Petrópolis preserves Brazil's imperial palace; and the Pedra da Gávea hike is one of the toughest, most rewarding summits in the city.
Start early and pack for the day. Coastal trips run morning departures to make the most of the water and the light, and the Pedra da Gávea hike needs an early start to beat the heat. Boat day trips suit beach-and-swim travellers, while Petrópolis is the pick for history and cooler mountain air.
Frequently asked questions
Which Rio day trip is best for beaches?
Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande for clear water and island-hopping, or Búzios for a stylish beach-town boat day. Both run morning departures from central Rio.
Is Pedra da Gávea a hard hike?
Yes — it's a steep, demanding trail with a scramble near the top, but the summit view over the coast is the reward. It needs good fitness and an early start.
What is there to do in Petrópolis?
Petrópolis is Brazil's imperial city in the cool Serra mountains, home to the Imperial Museum and grand 19th-century architecture — a contrast to Rio's beach scene.