Excursions from Rio

• News
• Sunday, July 06, 2008

There's very little chance of running out of things to do in Rio, but if you have more than a week in the city then it's well worth setting aside a couple of days in your schedule to visit some of Rio de Janeiro State's many other attractions. From the beaches, jungle and wildlife of Ilha Grande to the perfectly-preserved colonial charm of Parati and the buzzing nightlife of Buzios, there's no shortage of short trips to be taken within the state. Happily, not only is this one of Brazil's most picturesque states but it's also one of smallest - meaning that each of the various beauty spots is within easy reach of Rio itself.

One thing that needs to be taken into account is the weather - there's little point heading to a beach resort such as Saquarema or Buzios if the forecast is for torrential rain. Likewise, the beautiful, unspoilt beaches and jungle trails of magnificent Ilha Grande are best experienced under the warmth of the sun. Parati, on the other hand - a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts some of the most picture-perfect colonial streets and buildings in the country - can still be appreciated in less than perfect sunshine.

Deciding where to visit depends a lot on your personal taste - if you're looking for 'gente bonita' and plenty of opportunities to flash the cash, head for the beaches and bars of Buzios. If you prefer your beaches a little more untamed, head for the wild jungle of the giant nature reserve island that is Ilha Grande. If you want to escape the crowds and take advantage of excellent opportunities for surfing, horseriding or just chilling, Cabo Frio or Saquarema could be just up your street. 

None of the popular destinations are more than four hours' journey from Rio, and in many cases visits can be made as a day trip - look out for companies advertising boat trips from Rio to the beaches around Buzios or Parati. Apart from during holidays, it's rarely necessary to book overnight accomodation in advance - simply  turn up and you'll be greeted by a host of enthusiastic locals keen to entice you into booking a room at their hotel, hostel or pousada (guest house). Likewise, it's not normally necessary to book bus tickets in advance, but do make sure you leave plenty of time to find the correct ticket booth and queue for your ticket - Rio's main bus station, the Rodoviaria Novo Rio, is quite intimidatingly large. There are regular buses to all the major beauty spots -  prices and times can be verifiied  online at   www.novorio.com.br