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Cabo Frio

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City
—°18
Cabo Frio (Brazil)
ℹ️

Practical info — Cabo Frio

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

Cabo Frio is located in the Costa do Sol region and attracts visitors with its exceptionally white sandy beaches and the azure waters of the Atlantic. Praia do Forte is the city's main beach, named after the historic Forte de São Mateus, built by the Portuguese in the 17th century and picturesquely situated at the end of the bay. The upwelling phenomenon brings cold ocean currents here, providing refreshing swimming temperatures. Beyond the beaches, the city provides a characterful historic district called Bairro da Passagem. The cobblestone alleys, old fishermen's houses, and small chapels exude colonial flair and today house excellent restaurants and bars. Boulevard Canal, a waterfront promenade along the Itajuru Canal, is the center of evening nightlife and also features boat trips to explore the nearby waters. In Cabo Frio, fresh seafood and traditional Brazilian fish dishes dominate the menus of local restaurants. The city can be reached from Rio de Janeiro in about two to three hours by car or bus via a well-maintained highway. The summer months from December to March are very busy with domestic tourists, while the shoulder seasons guarantee quieter beach days.

Geography

Population
238,166 (2025)
Coordinates
-22.87889, -42.01889

Facts

  • Known for extremely fine sand
  • Praia do Forte main beach
  • Historic Forte de São Mateus
  • Bairro da Passagem district
  • Located on the Costa do Sol
  • Itajuru Canal promenade
  • Cold Atlantic currents
  • Popular summer vacation destination

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Arraial do CaboArraial do Cabo7 km · WExplore →
BuziosBuzios19 km · NEExplore →
Poço das Antas Biological ReservePoço das Antas Biological Reserve41 km · SEExplore →
Macaé Oil BaseMacaé Oil Base49 km · NEExplore →
TeresópolisTeresópolis112 km · SExplore →
São GonçaloSão Gonçalo116 km · SExplore →
Campos dos GoytacazesCampos dos Goytacazes121 km · NEExplore →
NiteróiNiterói123 km · SExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Cabo Frio (18)

Capela Nossa Senhora da Guia⛪ religious

The Chapel of Our Lady of the Guide is a historic religious site set prominently atop a hill in Cabo Frio.

Parque Fonte do Itajurú🏺 historical

The Itajurú Fountain Park is a historic monumental site in Cabo Frio featuring a colonial-era water source.

Mirante do Forte🌿 nature

Mirante do Forte provides elevated coastal views over Cabo Frio's beaches and historic fortifications.

Farol da Lajinha📍 landmark

Farol da Lajinha is a maritime lighthouse guiding vessels navigating the waters off Cabo Frio.

Casa Carlos Scliar🏛 museum

The Carlos Scliar House operates as a museum dedicated to the life and works of the renowned Brazilian artist.

Museu Carlos Scliar🏛 museum

This museum in Cabo Frio exhibits the artistic legacy and personal artifacts of Carlos Scliar.

Área de Proteção Ambiental das Palmeiras🌿 nature

The Palmeiras Environmental Protection Area preserves the local coastal palm ecosystems and native flora in Cabo Frio.

Reserva da Lagoa de Araruama🌿 nature

This nature reserve protects the saline ecosystem and biodiversity of the expansive Araruama Lagoon in Cabo Frio.

Praia das Dunas🎡 recreation

Praia das Dunas is a coastal beach in Cabo Frio distinguished by its expansive, shifting white sand dunes.

Museu do Surf🏛 museum

The Surf Museum in Cabo Frio displays a vast collection of surfboards documenting the evolution of the sport.

Praia do Forte🎡 recreation

Praia do Forte is a renowned stretch of white sand in Cabo Frio, overlooked by the historic São Mateus Fort.

Forte São Mateus🛡️ fortress

Constructed in 1618, the São Mateus Fort is a colonial defensive structure guarding the coast of Cabo Frio.

Praia Brava📍 landmark

Praia Brava in Cabo Frio is a scenic beach known for its strong waves and rugged coastal beauty.

Praia Brava (Área Nudista)📍 landmark

This section of Praia Brava in Cabo Frio is a designated naturist beach surrounded by a rugged coastal landscape.

assembleia de deus ministerio saõ cristóvão⛪ religious

This Assembly of God church of the São Cristóvão ministry serves as a local Christian place of worship in Cabo Frio.

Igreja São Pedro⛪ religious

A serene Christian church in Cabo Frio, offering a quiet space for local worship.

Mercado Pablos🎭 culture

A bustling local marketplace in Cabo Frio, where vendors gather to sell a variety of everyday goods.

Mercado Municipal de Peixe🎭 culture

A busy municipal fish market in Cabo Frio, offering fresh seafood caught directly from the local coastal waters.

Frequently asked questions

Cabo Frio: where is it located?
Cabo Frio is located in Brazil.
Cabo Frio: what is there to see?
Highlights include Capela Nossa Senhora da Guia, Parque Fonte do Itajurú, Mirante do Forte.
Cabo Frio: why is it worth visiting?
Cabo Frio is located in the Costa do Sol region and attracts visitors with its exceptionally white sandy beaches and the azure waters of the Atlantic.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
South America
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in South America
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Nearby cities

Rio de Janeiro — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Rio de Janeiro
An iconic coastal city famous for its Carnival, Copacabana beach, and Christ the Redeemer statue.
Nova Iguaçu — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Nova Iguaçu
A highly populated city in the Baixada Fluminense region in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro.
Duque de Caxias — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Duque de Caxias
One of the largest industrial and commercial centers in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
Campos dos Goytacazes — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Campos dos Goytacazes
The largest city by area in the state of Rio de Janeiro, famous for its rich oil and sugarcane production.
São João de Meriti — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
São João de Meriti
Often referred to as the 'Anthill of the Americas', it is one of the most densely populated cities in South America.
Belford Roxo — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Belford Roxo
A densely populated city in the Baixada Fluminense, historically known as an important water source for the region.
Niterói — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Niterói
The twin city of Rio de Janeiro on the other side of Guanabara Bay, known for high quality of life and spectacular views.
Angra dos Reis — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Angra dos Reis
Angra dos Reis is the gateway to a fascinating archipelago of hundreds of islands.
Teresópolis — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Teresópolis
Teresópolis is a mountain city named after Empress Teresa Cristina.
Buzios — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Buzios
Armação dos Búzios is a popular resort town located on a scenic peninsula in Brazil.
Arraial do Cabo — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Arraial do Cabo
Arraial do Cabo is often referred to as the Brazilian Caribbean.
Macaé — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Macaé
Known globally as the 'Oil Capital' of Brazil, this coastal city serves the entire Campos Basin.
São Gonçalo — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
São Gonçalo
A highly populated city in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area with growing industrial importance.
Petrópolis — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Petrópolis
The historic summer residence of the Brazilian emperors in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro.
Ilha Grande — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Ilha Grande
Ilha Grande is a pristine, car-free tropical island known for its dense rainforests and gorgeous beaches.

History & landmarks

Vassouras — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Vassouras
Historical city known as the "City of the Barons," reflecting Brazil's 19th-century coffee wealth.
Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro
One of Brazil's most beautiful opera houses, built in an eclectic style near the center of Rio.
Carioca Aqueduct (Arcos da Lapa) — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Carioca Aqueduct (Arcos da Lapa)
A massive historic colonial-style aqueduct that now serves as a tramway bridge in the Lapa neighborhood.
Museum of Tomorrow — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Museum of Tomorrow
The Museum of Tomorrow is a futuristic science museum in Rio de Janeiro, designed by Santiago Calatrava and focused on sustainability and…
Christ the Redeemer — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer is an iconic Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ atop Mount Corcovado, overlooking the city of Rio de Janeiro.
Maracanã Stadium — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Maracanã Stadium
The Maracanã Stadium is one of the most famous football stadiums in the world, located in Rio de Janeiro and known for hosting historic m…
Quitandinha Palace — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Quitandinha Palace
A huge former luxury hotel and casino built in a Norman-French style in the mountain city of Petrópolis.

More places

Poço das Antas Biological Reserve — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Poço das Antas Biological Reserve
One of the most important reserves for the protection of the highly endangered golden lion tamarin.
Macaé Oil Base — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Macaé Oil Base
The operational base for offshore oil exploration in the Campos Basin, driving the Brazilian petroleum economy.
Sugarloaf Mountain — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Sugarloaf Mountain
A prominent granite peak at the mouth of Guanabara Bay, one of Rio's landmarks.
Catete Palace — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Catete Palace
The former presidential palace of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro, now serving as the Museum of the Republic.
Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading
A stunning historic library in Rio de Janeiro that houses the largest collection of Portuguese literature outside of Portugal.
Copacabana Fort — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Copacabana Fort
Forte de Copacabana is a coastal fort at the southern end of Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro.
Valongo Wharf — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Valongo Wharf
A historic wharf in Rio de Janeiro that was the main arrival point for African slaves in the 19th century.
Port of Rio de Janeiro — Cabo Frio (Brazil)
Port of Rio de Janeiro
The Port of Rio de Janeiro is historically and economically significant for regional trade.