Located on the north coast of Rio Janeiro State, Armação dos Búzios was originally a small fishing village inhabited by the Tamoios native tribe. 

When Brigitte Bardot visited in the 60s, the town became world-famous, as just plain "Buzios". Today, it is one of the most sophisticated places in the country, offering very high quality services to Brazilian and international visitors. 

Around 100 miles up the coast from Rio, it boasts around 20 beaches of incomparable beauty, and offers historical, cultural and eco-tours. It’s the perfect place to go diving, and ideal for those looking for restful days and exciting nightlife. 

Following the Armação dos Búzios round from the north to the south, some of the most visited and beautiful beaches are:

- Manguinhos Beach: good for windsurfing, with a view of the island of Ilha Feia about 10km out to sea, an area great for scuba diving.

- Azeda Beach: a small less-frequented beach with calm and crystal-clear water. Access is either on foot by a small trail that begins at "Ossos Beach", or by boat. 

- Armação dos Búzios: this beach is convenient for town, and is dotted with boats and beach houses, but is not good for bathing. 

- João Fernandinho Beach: a small beach with calm, crystal-clear water. Nearby is the popular João Fernandes Beach with many bars serving lobster and other great seafood. 

- Brava Beach faces east into the Atlantic, and the breakers are great for surfing. 

- Ferradura Beach is a beautiful horseshoe-shaped bay, with calm, crystal-clear water, great for families with children. Served by numerous picturesque bars serving typical "Buzios style" meals and drinks.

- Geribá Beach is a long open beach, frequented by the young and fashionable. Good for water sports. 

Because of the multitude of wonderful beaches in Buzios, and ease of access from Rio de Janeiro, this is one of the most popular places for people of Rio to go at weekends.