Cabo Frio
Brazil · Americas
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About Cabo Frio
Cabo Frio is a tourist destination located in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
Cabo Frio is unique that it offers both Ocean and Lake beaches.
The Brazilian coast runs east from Rio de Janeiro to Cabo Frio where it turns sharply north. North of Cabo Frio is Cabo de São Tomé.
It was named after the geography of its location, a cape, and because the water temperature is colder than in nearby cities (frio is Portuguese for "cold"). This city features beaches with white fine sand. Due to a lack of mica, the sand stays cool in the sun.
As of 2025, Cabo Frio's estimated population is 238,438 and its area is 410 km2.
According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, in 2010, Cabo Frio had 90,831 men (48.7%) and 95,396 women (51.3%). The municipality has demonstrated rapid demographic growth over the decades.
According to the IBGE, the municipality is made up of 88,701 whites, 72,561 mixed race, 23,555 blacks, 1,109 Asians, and 301 indigenous people.
According to the IBGE, the municipality is made up of...
Cabo Frio travel guide
Understand
Cabo Frio is a popular beach destination which draws a lot of beachgoers and surfers from around the state, and from the neighboring landlocked state of Minas Gerais. It was founded in the 16th century, after the Portuguese chased the French away from the area, and remained small for most of its history. With the income from the tourism industry and the influx of retired folks from Rio de Janeiro, it has grown to a city of over 216,000 (2017), with a wide range of amenities for the traveller.
Getting there
1 Cabo Frio International Airport (CFB IATA).
See
Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Guia (Capela Nossa Senhora da Guia). Constructed by the Franciscans around 1740. Church of Saint Benedict (Igreja de São Benedito), Passagem. Built in 1701 to hold mass for the slaves. 1 Sào Mateus Fort (Forte de São Mateus do Cabo Frio). Built by the Portuguese between 1616 and 1620.
Do
Beaches Fort Beach (Praia do Forte) - With 7.5 kilometers of sand and a 16th-century Portuguese fort at its north end, this is the main beach in town. Peró Beach (Praia do Peró) - Good for surfing. São Bento Beach (Praia São Bento) Siqueira Beach (Praia do Siqueira) - 4km-long beach with kiosks that sometimes have live music. Sudoeste Beach (Praia do Sudoeste) Dune Beach (Praia das Dunas) - The best surfing beach around, with strong waves. Take care if you swim, as there is an undercurrent. Foguete Beach (Praia do Foguete) Palmeiras Beach (Praia das Palmeiras) Unamar Beach (Praia de Unamar)
Scuba diving Cabo Frio and Arraial do Cabo are great locations for scuba diving. The southerly cold and northerly warm current meet and marine life is abundant. Visibility is between 8 and 20 meters. Best time of year is in April.
Over Sea Dive Center, Rua José Augusto Saraiva, nº 2 Ilha da Draga, ☏ +55 22 2647-5375. Dive center with good equipment and bilingual instructor (Santiago). Offers a one day tour for certified divers including two immersions and some snacks. R$150.
Go next
Araruama Arraial do Cabo Armação dos Búzios, 15 minutes away, has a happening nightlife scene.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.