Cabo Frio
About
Cabo Frio
Turquoise water laps Cabo Frio's beaches, while sun-filled days draw crowds to a seaside boardwalk lined with food vendors and historic sites. And the fun doesn't stop at the water—Cabo Frio musicians keep locals dancing until morning in an energetic club scene.
With an excellent structure and very easy access, Praia do Forte de Cabo Frio is the perfect place, both for tourists wanting to go for a walk and a dip with their families, and for surfers and sailors looking for an adventure.
Praia do Forte is known as one of the best beaches in the world by national and international sailors and is the stage for sailing competitions. During the high holiday season, the beach attracts thousands of visitors, mainly to practice sports and at year-end events.
History of the place
The beach takes its name from the Fort of São Mateus, built between 1616 and 1620 by the Portuguese and Tamoio Indians. It is one of the oldest structures of Latin American colonial architecture.
But before that there was another fort near the Itajuru channel. The Fort of Santo Inácio do Cabo Frio was considered too vulnerable and demolished. To replace it, the Portuguese built the new Fort of São Mateus to better defend the territory from Dutch and Spanish attacks.
With 7 km of coastline, Praia do Peró is characterized by kiosks by the sea, where you can taste delicious fish and seafood (shrimp, squid, mussels, lobster) among other snacks, accompanied by the traditional beer. This beach with clear waters was also considered by INEA to be the cleanest in the Lagos Region, with zero pollution. with constant waves and a temperature of around 22º C, it is also sought after by fishing enthusiasts, who find anchovies, mullet and whiting there. It is also characterized by fine sand dunes, found mainly in its extreme left: the Dunas do Peró. It also borders Praia das Conchas, on the right.
Ilha do Japonês (Japonese Island) is an ecological paradise within the Costa do Sol State Park, with calm, shallow waters, ideal for relaxing.
In its surroundings are the Caverna dos Escravos, Praia Brava, Mirante do Papagaio, Farol da Lajinha and Praia Fofa, accessed by trails for ecological walks, preferably under the guidance of specialized Tour Guides or by Environmental Conductors.
Point do Boulevard Canal has an extensive variety of restaurants open throughout the day, and an active nightlife with bars and nightclubs in the most varied styles, ideal for those who want to enjoy a leisure time with friends and enjoy the wonderful view of the Canal. from Itajurú.
The Itajuru channel, whose name comes from the Tupi language means "mouth of the stone", through the junction of itá ("stone") and îuru ("mouth"), is the place that connects the Laguna de Araruama to the Atlantic Ocean through Boca da Barra, in Praia do Forte. The Canal has great historical and environmental importance for the entire region, as it connects the Laguna de Araruama with the Atlantic Ocean.
The best known point of the channel is in the center of Cabo Frio, on the boardwalk known as Boulevard Canal, from where boat trips (schooners) depart from the terminal, to visit the beaches and islands of the municipality.
Further on, we appreciate Orla Scliar, an extension of Boulevard Canal that takes its name from Casa de Cultura Carlos Scliar, the former residence of the artist and environmentalist, where a substantial part of his collection and that of other nationally renowned artists is located.
Did you know that Bairro da Passagem is the oldest in Cabo Frio and that the city was one of the first founded in Brazil. With historic buildings, tree-lined stone streets and colorful houses, the old quarter is where Avenida Assunção meets Avenida do Contorno.
Its architectural and historical richness transformed the colonial neighborhood into a very pleasant place, full of bars and restaurants. You can still see narrow streets lined with Portuguese stones, leafy trees, a small square, a historic church and fishermen's boats... A great place for a weekend getaway.
The location of Bairro da Passagem predates the founding of the village of Nossa Senhora da Assunção in Cabo Frio. It was there where the first dwellings and trading posts appeared. Its occupation by the Portuguese took place at the beginning of the 17th century.
The houses and the Church of São Benedito are listed by the State Institute of Historical and Cultural Heritage. After the population moved to where the city center is today, Passagem was occupied by fishermen. It is currently full of charming inns and restaurants.
The neighborhood is very small, explore calmly. A weekend is enough time to get to know all the coolest things there.
The neighborhood can be considered almost a “mini Paraty”. Cross its narrow streets, many of which are still preserved as historical heritage. Discover houses that have been restored from colonial times, stop to photograph colorful doors and windows.
It is really worth walking and getting lost in the streets of Bairro da Passagem. It is a dive into a part of the history of Brazil.