A Day In Arraial Do Cabo The Brazilian Caribbean

Great just great. My first time in Brazil as a whole. Nice staff. May so again when I come back again.

This tour was chaotic and not well organised. We were left alone for most of the day in the absence of the scheduled boat trip, which was cancelled due to weather. There was limited alternative. We drove for a very long time to hang out and do very little. I would repeat this. Book with caution. Perhaps it’s better if the weather cooperated - but felt abandoned and disappointed

This is Scam! Please do not book! They sell you one thing and give you another service! Nothing is what it says in the page, the itinerary is not fulfilled! They do not take you to the beaches of puntal do atalaia and Forno beach neither! They leave you the whole day in a boat to consume there and at 4 pm they take you to the farol beach for only 40 minutes without no shade, no stalls to buy even water. I complained and not refund was issued.also the transport is not a bus is a little and tie Van (6 hours)

10/10 would recommend super informative and flexible guide beautiful tour I would do this again in a heartbeat

Dissaster Long drive... pick up many people on the way as is it was by big bus 30min at the beach only with million people around. 3h on the boat crusing around where is much dissapointing... nothing to see what you dont have in Rio actually. They speak Spanish and Portuguese We had to ask for english even we booked in english. 15h total we left 7 40am came 11pm... Food dissaster The trip not worth the money and time especially Lost day in Rio. No idea how people vote 5***** here when is actually 1* nothing special at all and a lot of waiting For bus another bus then boat and then to go back. I dont recommend it.

This is a must do excursion. Arraial do Cabo is just a beautiful place. The staff and ride there was just an amazing experience.

Our trip was one time rescheduled because when we arrived to Cabo on Wednesday the weather was so terrible (raining heavily) and the marine cancelled all boat rides. We killed almost a day with this which was very sad for us as it could have been cancelled since morning. We also paid the tax as well as the transport fee. Agency offered us to be rescheduled for Friday which we agreed on. Sadly, due to huge traffic it took us around 8 hours or more to get to Cabo. It was just bad day it was not mistake of the agency. This time we did not have to pay tax fee but only the transfer fee. Honestly, I was expecting a but more from this trip. Cabo was extremely overcrowded with thousands of ppl which made it a bit less enjoyable. The beach was very nice and clean and water was crystal clear! ☺️ If someone would ask me if I would do this trip again, sadly I would say no as it was extremely exhausting. I would recommend Angra dos Reis over Cabo. But I truly believe that some people had blast time! Nevertheless, our tour guide Nyat was extremely nice and told us also history about Cabo and interesting facts! He was really a great guide!

The itinerary of the boat trip is good but the execution of everything this day was late and rushed. Got picked up from the hotel at 9am. Our tour guide was so-so. The bus was running late. Three hour drive to Arraial do Cabo with a short stop in the middle. Arrived around 12:30pm. Get on a transport bus to the port. On the boat at 1pm. The boat was shared with another group(mix of solo, couples and families). Scenery was beautiful. You might see sea turtles and whales if you’re lucky. Dinner at 5:15pm. On bus at 6:30pm and back to Rio around 9:30pm. Communication, organization and timing were off this trip. The delays made things rushed. Many factors didn’t line up(traffic, boat staff communication, tourists not following instructions)If the trip has no delays, then it’s a good time.

I went solo and had a great time! The bus was very comfortable with AC. I slept the whole way there. The guide was professional and attentive! The coastal town was impeccable 🤌🏽 GREAT EXPERIENCE 😍😍😍

Really great day Lovely host Boat was great The majority of people on the tour were from South America and was brilliant mixing with so many different people

This was a horrible experience, no one showed up. I waited outside for two hours from 7am to 9:15am and no one contacted me. incredibly unprofessional and disorganized. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME. I booked on Sunday night for Tuesday morning. The number listed does not work and I had others call the number as well. I use the Trip advisory communication messaging to ask them to contact me via WhatsApp and I also text the number which was out of service. Tuesday morning 7 AM I was outside of the pick up hotel spot for 2 hours and 15 minutes. Standing outside in the sun, no one came or contacted me. I called the customer service number and they told me to just wait. Once I requested a refund via TripAdvisor about two hours later (11am) I received WhatsApp messages from the company saying they mixed up the dates. It was a mistake and they could offer me a tour for tomorrow. They also deleted the message afterwards. Admitted the number was incorrect. I was not able to make the tour for Wednesday. They said they would offer me a PayPal refund and to not leave a bad review. As I have attached, I told them I would leave an honest review and they could make it up for wasting my time. I woke up early, I paid in full, I have prepared my day only to be wasted standing outside for hours. I couldn’t book with another tour it was too late. I mentioned I’ll be in Rio till the 27th. They said they will not refund me since I would still be in Rio. Me being in Rio is irrelevant to the fact they failed to meet me at the scheduled time. They gave me an Ultimatum I had to make the Wednesday tour and accept by 2pm today or no refund. They stopped communicating with me after that. This is absolutely horrible. Do not support them . I booked because it was 5 star rating. this behavior and asking me to not leave a review only to not refund me and ignore me is greed and poor business practice. I’m in so much pain just standing around. I hope trip advisor removes them from this platform. Compensation for my time and day should also be included. I wanted to experience this tour. This was a waste of my time entirely. I have limited days in Rio and my other days are planned. Not to mention my feet are in so much pain for standing all morning. There was no place to sit.

I’ll start with the positive. You will witness some very beautiful scenery on the bus ride from Rio to Arraial do Cabo, and you will visit some beautiful beaches while on the boat. The negative. This tour advertises an English guide. There was some English commentary on the bus, but they do it in Portuguese first, and then what takes them 5 minutes to say in Portuguese, takes less than a minute in English. There was NO ENGLISH on the boat whatsoever which I found to be a major safely concern. As a tourist , I do not expect locals to speak my language which is the reason I book guided tours. I need translation. When I purchase a tour that explicitly says English, I expect this to be fulfilled. For safely on a boat, you really need to have protocols in place. Even if they had an English version on paper of what was being said would have been helpful. Upon return from my tour, I felt that I was not provided with what I paid for and that I was unsafe while on tour. For example, at one point the top deck was evacuated due to high winds (maybe?) by announcement. I was up there and could not understand. Another tourist wound up returning to the deck to retrieve me as I had no idea what was going on. I requested a 50% refund, and was verbally abused by the company and rejected. They told me I that I was not sincere, that I was dishonest, and that I was telling a lie. In summary, buyer beware. If you speak Portuguese, this trip will be perfect for you. If you speak English, be prepared to be lost.

Starting with the positive - you will see some of the most beautiful scenery in the world on the bus ride to Arraial do Cabo. And from the boat, you will visit some very beautiful beaches. The negative - buyer beware! It is advertised as having an english guide, but you will receive very little english on the bus, and no english on the boat which to me is a major safety concern. As a tourist, I do not expect local people to speak my language. For this reason I usually use guided tours. When I purchase a tour, I expect to have this requirement fulfilled. The sole reason for not exploring this area on my own was that I required translation. And it was not provided. For safety, on a boat, you really need to have protocols in place. Even if they had an English version on paper of what was being said. At one point there was an announcement to clear the top deck due to winds. I remained as I did not understand. Another tourist returned to the deck to tell me to come downstairs. So to sum it up, bring somebody who speaks Portuguese with you. And Viator, do not advertise that there is English!!

I booked this trip through Viator as a solo traveler and was already prepared for what to expect, from the meeting point pickup, to air-conditioned coach bus, to the 3 hour bus ride to get to the boat, to the 25 BRL shared taxi fees to/from the docks and back to the coach bus, to the recommendation of carrying some spending money in cash to buy snacks and drinks on the party boat, to the final buffet late-lunch (or early dinner), and to the final return to Rio around 9pm. I was also aware of the tour being primarily in dual Portuguese and Spanish, which means that if you require English speaking tour guide, yu must request one specifically (but since I speak Spanish, no issues for me). So I had a great time and the weather was perfect and everything went accordingly as expected. Good communication from the tour provider. Definitely recommend! Thanks!

Amazing experience. The price is so amazing for what this tour provides. Besides the beautiful places the staff were amazing and friendly and made sure we felt included because we were the only people who spoke English. Tali was our guide, and I accidentally left my camera on the bus: she went out of her way to return it to me. Cant recommend this tour enough!!! 5 stars!! *****

Amazing tour, beautiful beaches. The boat crew was great, very entertaining. Our guide was great.Well organized.100% recommended.

The views were amazing - our tour guide Susan was awesome. I am docking a point because no one spoke English even though the tour description english is listed under languages spoken. A few people (fellow travelers) on board barely spoke English and were more helpful than the crew. It was fun with strong drinks. Also did not know that the pier only takes cash and our taxi only took cash which we did not have. Kinda hit a snag there and should be informed earlier but we ended up getting cash from others as well as paid with our card to the tour to cover expenses bc we only had credit cards.

This was an amazing experience! The water is so beautiful! Very clear! I had an amazing time and the tour guides were amazing as well.

My wife and I had a great time. This was the highlight of our amazing week in Rio. Some of the clearest water we've ever seen. The sea turtles were everywhere and you could spot them from a mile away since the water is so clear. This is an all day trip so take some sunscreen and let them take care of the rest. Rocio was very helpful and made us feel at home.

The tour was horrible! We didn’t visit all the beaches, they told us at the last minute that the boat tour was canceled, they also didn’t tell us that we had to spend money taking a taxi to the beach and restaurant. So we basically spent money to drive 3 hrs to visit a beach and a buffet

Thalita was a wonderful tour guide and very nice to deal with. Everything ran smoothly and made a long day quite enjoyable

So note of advice it's a decent drive to Arraial so if you want to avoid a long drive don't go on a Friday the day before New Year's eve. That said even though it took us a while to get there it was still faster than a bus and also we had a blast once we got to our destination. If you are from the states, think of the Arraial boat tour as being on a party bus with food not just drinks and getting to see beautiful blue water and landscape. Our guide (who spoke 3 different languages) kept us informed and made sure when instructions were only said in portuguese to check in on us to make sure we understood. Also the guide was clear at the outset that the boat ride (like all boat rides) might be cancelled if the weather did not permit. Bring lots of sunblock, any motion sickness medicine if like my husband you don't have sea legs, and have fun!

Very beautiful views. We enjoyed the day very much. It was a long day due to picking people up from their hotels plus the long bus ride to the start of the boat ride. The only negative was the loud music on board the boat. Others enjoyed it and were dancing and having fun. It's a personal thing. My wife and I would have preferred a more peaceful boat to enjoy the views.

I really enjoyed this tour, the tour guide really made sure we were safe and well taken care of and the beach was beautiful. However, I feel a little cheated out of money,I spent. Most of the tour was modified last minute as the waves were too high to transport us so the boat portion of the tour was canceled and we had to visit two beaches via taxi, because of this we only got about 2 and a half hours of beach time throughout this 12 hour experience. I feel it would have been better to do an overnight experience so you can at least see the beaches and reallly relax, but if you are expecting a beach day, perhaps a tour with less beaches and a smaller itinerary. Id like to go again with more assurance of the tours activities actually being able to happen. But unfortunately on my experience not everything worked well and I wish we had more time at the beach. But everything else was nice and its hard to be upset while on vacation in Rio.

Absolutely do not book this tour if you are an English speaker. Worst experience and we were never compensated after multiple tries. Not a soul on that boat spoke an ounce of English even though we booked an English tour. The whole reason we booked here is so we could get information about what we were seeing. None of the information was given in English INCLUDING directions so we never knew what we were doing or for how long. At one point you get off the bus (which is a four our drive!!! And not listed in the itinerary so they took 8 hours of our day driving) and had to get in cabs. It was a mad rush and we had no idea what was going on because no one spoke English. We did not feel cared for at all and felt like we were going to get left every opportunity there was. I suggest you just buy a boat ticket because there’s no point in a tour when you can’t understand anything that’s being said. COMPLETE waste of money, rude service, and I could not recommend more that you book anywhere else. I would give zero stars if that was possible.

The Arraial excursion was an absolute delight! The vibrant colors, diverse activities, and warm hospitality created an unmatched experience. Truly memorable and worth every moment!

The full-day trip was amazing! I went with my sister and a friend, we were treated with respect and the host was very nice to us giving us fun facts while traveling on the bus to Arraial do Cabo. Initially, the weather was not favorable but the guides in the boat lifted our spirits with the music and dancing. Fortunately, the sun came out and we carried out all the activities. Lunch was after the trip ended, and we were given a very delicious buffet. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who wants to travel to the Brazilian Caribbean.

My experience with the ARRAIAL tour was perfect from start to finish. The tour was well-organized, and the guides were enthusiastic and knowledgeable. It was a great mix of relaxation and adventure. I couldn't have asked for a better getaway.

Bus broke down 2 times. Was advised at departure no boat taxis. Restaurant where we stopped was horrible.. Fantastic day of deception!

Arraial do Cabo: the Brazilian Caribbean revealed. Nature's masterpiece awed at every turn during this excursion. Pristine white sands embraced by crystal-clear aquamarine waters mirrored a true tropical haven. Snorkeling submerged me in a vibrant underwater realm, akin to a living kaleidoscope. The Blue Grotto's enchanting azure hues left an indelible mark. Arraial's charm was matched by a warm local vibe, enhancing the experience. This slice of paradise, reminiscent of the Caribbean, captivated with its raw beauty. The "Caribe Brasileiro" moniker is well-deserved, offering an escape that rivals the world's most sought-after destinations.

Wonderful experience!!! Be careful of every detail. The super attentive, dedicated and careful guide. Very good tour and very organized. Congratulations 👏

Magical place as we Cariocas said our Brazilian Caribbean, with beautiful landscapes and beaches that delights us and gives that magic energy. Each beach more beautiful than the other of just the beach of angels.

The place is beautiful and the beaches magnificent. The problem is that the water is freezing and the wind is strong. To bathe they are runny which makes it necessary to be very close to the shore. We don't stay for all this

The only thing they didn't comply with was the walk along Pontal Do Atalaya beach. The rest is all very well. Thanks for all the attention!

Strong disappointment with the proposed activity. The activity was in English but Spanish predominated. Once arrived at the beach da Cabo, the view was not impressive. The description of the activity indicates breathtaking landscapes, with dolphins, sea turtles but there was not that. There was nothing extraordinary or wow. To reach the island, it was necessary to leave the boat and take another small boat. On the island there is nothing to settle down, relax, so people stay standing on the edge of the island. In addition, we were able to have lunch only from 16:30 so the ideal is to bring something to snack on. The restaurant we ate in was awful. It was crowded, we were piled up with the heat coming out of the kitchen. The tables were not clean, the food did not taste. The toilet was clogged, it was not clean. Anyway, awful. That said, our Guide Talita was kind. But I do not recommend this activity, it is boring.

The beautiful beaches, fine and white sands, crystal clear waters....dreamt places. We could not do the navigation because of the strong winds, but the beaches we visited are unmissable: big beach and Atalaia ponto.

Despite the tour restrictions due to bad weather, it was a wonderful experience. Rafael always very courtesy and attentive.

Recomiendo mucho tomar este tour para visitar lo mejor de Arraial do Cabo, visitarás las playas más bonitas con los paisajes más impresionantes. Es importante saber que no siempre se puede realizar el paseo en bote, ya que depende mucho de las condiciones climáticas, pero aún así el tour se encarga de dar una experiencia única con una ruta alterna cómoda. Nuestra playa favorita definitivamente Praira do Forno 💯 la temperatura del agua muy buena y bastantes opciones para comer, pedir bebidas y disfrutar de la playa.

Arraial is very beautiful, with very clean beaches! I loved and intend to come back. The ride time was great and the boat super fun.

The landscape is spectacular. The most beautiful beaches in Brazil. The boat tour allows you to enjoy it. It's worth it.

An excellent tour, it exceeded my expectations. It was a tour where I could enjoy nature. The guides and all the staff made sure we had a good time. I highly recommend it.

Beautiful landscapes, everything very well organized. It goes by beautifully. Bianca guides her, a genius and loving person. I highly recommend doing these tours if you are staying in Rio.

The incredible beaches and pleasant water are clearly not warm like the Caribbean but they are not frozen like in Viña del Mar or Mar del Plata. The bad thing about the excursion is that you spend a short time on each beach, approximately 30 minutes, it would be nice if they took you to only one and left you for a couple of hours. The place they take you to eat is a half-assed free-for-all and a world of people go there. It is a shame that they do not improve the organization and infrastructure of the place to have a more complete experience.

It was great to visit Arraial, we really enjoyed it and made the most of it, an incredible trip and totally worth it.

Wonderful landscapes! The beaches are very clean, the guide knew how to lead the tour well. I highly recommend it, it was definitely worth the experience!

The place is far away (and there are traffic jams on the road), but you can sleep on the bus on the way there and back. It's worth it because the beaches are beautiful, the staff is very attentive and the place is safe.

Beautiful landscape, a Caribbean paradise. Spectacular color. Surprising journey. An elixir for the eyes

I loved it 🥰 everyone who went with me loved it. Everything was excellent from the beginning of the service to the end 😍

The tour was very good, we visited many beautiful places, we went to several beaches, lots of entertainment on the boat and very good service