Costa do Sol

The contrast between luxury and simplicity, the colonial and modern styles and the different ways of life characterize this coastal region, situated in Rio de Janeiro, to the north of the state capital and known as the Lakes region. The area comprises more than one hundred kilometres of beaches and sea-water lagoons. The main tourist attractions are the resorts of Búzios, Cabo Frio, Arrial do Cabo, Rio das Ostras, Maricá and Saquarema.

Búzios is considered to be one of the best places for water-sports with beaches such as Foca, Geribá Brava, do Forno, Olho-de-boi (a naturist beach that is difficult to reach) and Amores (also a naturist beach). Cabo Frio is noted for its historical past and the colonial style of architecture is reflected in monuments such as the São Mateus Fort, built in 1650. The vast dunes of fine white sand stretch as far as the attractive town of Arrial do Cabo whose population of nineteen thousand inhabitants is made up largely of fishermen. Its main attraction is the Pontal do Atalaia, a boulder pointing out to sea from which schools of dolphins can be seen. Rio das Ostras is a more modest town appealing to those in search of quiet places to fish. Although close to the state capital, Maricá has managed to retain the appearance of a village. Saquarema is known for the festival of surfing that takes place annually in May on the beach at Itaúna.