Famous for its ocean beaches and its white sand dunes, Cabo Frio is the most developed city of the “Sun Coast.

The Portuguese built the Sao Mateus Fortress, greeting card of the city, in 1620. It names the city’s most beautiful and famous beach, the “Praia do Forte” (Fortress’ beach). During the day the “Praia do Forte” beach area is filled with gorgeous people. There you can meet interesting people, chat and watch an astounding sunset.

Cabo Frio has wide-ranging commerce, an excellent hotel infrastructure and entertaining options for both day and night. There are restaurants with almost every type of cuisine, agitated nightclubs, fairs, exhibitions, and a vast cultural calendar.

If you decide to come to Cabo Frio in June, you will be dazzled by the “salt carpet” that locals make in the city streets for the Corpus Christi procession.

Airport
Aircrafts with up to 150 passengers can land on the 1,720 m runway. The airport has the second largest runway in the state of Rio, and it’s a second option for aircrafts from Mercosul. It includes passenger terminal, shops, snack bars, panoramic view and customhouse. Crédits: Associação de Hotéis e Pousadas de Cabo Frio.

Boat Terminal         
Built in 1917 by the Itajuru Canal, it was destined to local inhabitants who traveled by boat to Iguaba Grande. It was transformed into a fish market. Architect Aristarco Acioly was responsible for the project restoring the old passenger station. The building, in French style, was enlarged, getting an Administration Office, restrooms and a passengers’ lobby. The Itajuru terminal has been used as a Cultural Center in the evening. Credits: Associação de Hotéis e Pousadas de Cano Frio.

Conchas Beach       
Praia das Conchas - Shell Beach - A beautiful shell shaped beach that is cozy and charming. It’s ideal for water sports and fishing, with incredible natural surroundings. Credits: Associação de Hotéis e Pousadas de Cabo Frio.

Dunes
Nature set aside these incredible sand hills, called dunes, in Cabo Frio. It’s covered by “restinga” vegetation at some spots, very common in the area. The white fine sand shines in the sun and is shaped by the wind. Mother Dune, by the road that takes to Arraial do Cabo, is also called White Lady, the highest dune in the area. Don’t miss the wonderful sunset from the top of Dama Branca. Credits: Associação de Hotéis e Pousadas de Cabo Frio.

Fallen Angel Monument    
Located in the Itajuru Canal waters, at the entrance of Palmer Canal, it was erected in the beginning of the XX century as a symbol of Palmer Canal opening. Sculpted on rock, it is 9-meter high. As time went by, the rapids bent the base column, causing the attractive name. Credits: Associação de Hotéis e Pousadas de Cabo Frio.

Fishing
From November to March, the ocean fishing season is open, promoted by Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro, Santos and Ilhabela Yatch Clubs. It’s when fishes like the blue marlin and the sailfish get closer to the coast, following the warm rapids, or like the fishermen say – the “blue water”, that occur in the summer. A fight took place 120 km off shore. During six hours and a half, Renato Gil, 46, caught one of the largest blue marlins in the world, weighing 546 kg and 4.20m long. Credits: Associação de Hotéis e Pousadas de Cabo Frio.

Itajuru Channel      
Locate in the city center , the canal is bordered by the Rua Jonas Garcia an AV dos Pescadores. Navigable over 6 kilometers, it connects Araruama lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean. There are many options of boat tours with distinguished routes. Along the sidewalk you’ll find a handicraft market and beautiful mansions. Credits: Associação de Hotéis e Pousadas de Cabo Frio.

Japonês Island
The calm water is crystal clear and is what makes of this place a paradise. The crab tidbits are always the island specialty. You can get there by car through Gamboa, or by boat, through Passagem. Credits: Associação de Hotéis e Pousadas de Cabo Frio.

Pero Beach
With clear blue water, constant waves and kiosks on the sand. The dunes along the coast are known as Peró Golden Dunes. A surfers and net fishing lovers hang out, it’s 7 km long. Credits: Associação de Hotéis e Pousadas de Cabo Frio.

Praia do Forte           
It’s 7.5 km long and has different names at certain spots, like: Praia das Dunas, Praia do Foguete, Praia de Cabo Frio, and Praia da Barra. Located downtown, it has many bars and restaurants around, besides the kiosks on the sand. With clear blue waters and white fine sand, it has Saint Mathews Fort in the left end, built in the XVII century.

Windmills
Fishing and salt have always been important economical sources to Cabo Frio. The salt, collected from the natural deposits around the lagoon, was later on extracted by improved Portuguese techniques, which originated the “Salinas”. The salt is native in the area; it’s present in nature – no need of human hands. In some places, where the ocean water doesn’t reach, the water from the rain is fermented together with the nitrate in the soil, and with the help of the sun, the salt is dried out . The two salt refineries in the city are Ponta da Costa and Salinas Vieira. Every year, 300,000 tons of the product are distributed throughout the country. Credits: Associação de Hotéis e Pousadas de Cabo Frio.