Buzios

[Guest Brad88]

Any information on Buzios from this extremely well-informed group? Thanks to all for the helpful information on Rio.

[trilingual]

Buzios is an "upscale" beach resort on the "Sun Coast" north of Rio. It attracts well-to-do weekenders from Rio and other places in Brazil year-round, and similar travelers for longer stays during the summer. It was just a fishing village until it was "discovered" years ago by Brigitte Bardot, whose stay put the town on the tourist map. The town is on a peninsula with many small beaches in picturesque coves. Nice restaurants and shops, and the scene is low-rise (unusual in Brazilian beach resorts) with lodging in chic inns.

 

Buzios isn't particularly "gay," but a good time undoubtedly can be had. It's certainly a good getaway destination if you're traveling with friends or if you have acquired a new Brazilian boyfriend. If you're not going until later in the year, you can wait to see what Tomcal reports about it, because he plans to go there in August for a few days with one of his latest conquests ("Gaucho," mentioned in one of his other recent postings).

[bluenix]

>Any information on Buzios from this extremely well-informed

>group? Thanks to all for the helpful information on Rio.

 

Buzios is a so-so seafood restaurant off the main casino of the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas.

 

Fine for everyday dining.

 

:+

[CarloRio]

As tri has posted earlier Buzios is a beach resort north of Rio, it's a good place if you want to relax for a couple of days, as for gay action there isn't much going on, except for some cruising on Olho de Boi beach... It's not the best place to go on your own, but with a special friend or a group of friends. It's very hip with lots a nice stores and good looking upper middle class Brasilians and Argentinians strolling the stone side-walk.

 

Paraty which is another resort south of Rio, has much more to offer and has more of gay scence (considering that the mayor was first (openly) gay mayor in Brasil.

 

Depending on what you are looking for Paraty may be a better option than Búzios. Albeit I love both cities for the different things they have to offer.

 

Um abraço,:7

[trilingual]

I think I agree with Carlo on this one. Buzios isn't old or historic, so basically all it has is beaches and shopping! Parati IS old and historic, in a spectacular natural setting. There is a small gay scene (the town itself is small) including a gay club and a couple of hangouts. It's also very gay friendly, even before electing the first openly gay mayor in Brazil!

 

For someone who hasn't been to either place, I think Parati would be a good first choice, with Buzios saved for a subsequent trip. Also, Parati has the advantage of being between Rio and Sao Paulo, so for someone planning on visiting both those cities, two or three days in Parati is a good break for recovering from the nightlife in both of the big cities. There is supposed to be commuter air service between Rio/SP and Parati, but I haven't used it. A travel agency should be able to help make reservations, if service is available. By bus, it's about 7 hours from SP and about 4 hours from Rio, on comfortable air-conditioned buses. Both stretches are scenic, so they're worth doing during the daytime.

[Guest Brad88]

Buzios/Paraty

 

As always, I very much appreciate the advice of such seasoned adventurers. Please tell me, what is the best hotel/inn in Paraty? Do you know the air carrier from Rio? Any suggestions on night life, etc. etc.

Thanks again.

[CT Dick]

RE: Buzios/Paraty

 

http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~sergiok/brasil/paratifruta.jpg

 

I found an English language website for Parati:

 

http://www.paraty.com.br/iindex.asp

 

It looks like a beautiful town.

 

Dick

[CT Dick]

RE: Buzios/Paraty

 

http://www.buziosonline.com.br/home/cartao/armacaog.jpg

 

Then, Buzios doesn't look bad, either.

 

http://www.buziosonline.com.br/indexe.htm

 

Dick

[trilingual]

RE: Buzios/Paraty

 

Buzios is unquestionably pretty! There are reasons, after all, why people started going there, and its natural beauty is one of them. Parati, on the other hand, is also beautiful and will give you a feel for what life was like in colonial Brazil, as well as what life is like now in small-town Brazil. Although Parati is not really a typical small town any more, having grown to depend on the tourist trade, it still has old-time residents who observe local festivals and customs and that makes it an interesting place.

 

Getting to Parati: Unless you're in a huge rush, you get there by bus. It's a scenic 4 hour trip from Rio. If you take the bus, you'll need to go downtown to the main bus station (Rodoviaria) to buy your ticket and reserve your space, especially if you're going on a weekend or holiday. There are at least four buses a day. If you're going from SP, you need to do the same thing at the Tiete Bus Station (there's a metro stop at the bus station). From SP it's a 7 hour trip, also scenic. When you arrive in Parati, I strongly suggest you buy your return or onward bus ticket then and there at the bus station so you're sure you have space on the time and day you want.

 

 

If you're in a rush and want to fly, there's commuter airline service between Rio (Santos Dumont) and Parati on weekends on a company called TEAM. (At this point they seem to have discontinued their SP to Parati service, but maybe will resume during high season.) The flight makes a stop in Angra dos Reis, along the coast, and takes about an hour. Round trip fare comes to about R$500. Their schedules seem to be a bit changeable, so I suggest buying your ticket through a travel agent. One I've used recently is Party Tour, conveniently located at av. Copacabana 386-A, near the Copacabana Palace hotel and the intersections of Fernando Mendes (the street Maxim's and the Excelsior Hotel are on) and Inhanga. The phone number is (21) 2548-5353. Ask for Marcia, who speaks English and is VERY kind and helpful.

 

There are endless choices of attractive pousadas at which to stay. Carlo may have some suggestions, but I've usually stayed at the Pousada do Principe when I didn't stay with friends. The Pousada do Principe is a modern, tasteful, and very comfortable inn about three blocks from the old city and only about a block and a half from the bus station, so it's hassle-free to just walk over there upon arrival. The Pousada is owned by Prince Joao de Orleans e Braganca, one of the heirs to the Brazilian throne. Joaozinho, as he is known, has a home in Parati and spends considerable time there. He's also the best looking member of his generation of the Brazilian royals (he must now be in his late forties), often photographed looking fetching in sprayed-on jeans that amply display the royal scepter! :9 Joazinho is also a well-known and accomplished photographer and sports enthusiast. Who knows, you may run into him during your stay! I think there's a link to his pousada on the Parati website, but if not, it should be listed there. English is spoken if you phone or e-mail for a reservation.

 

There's a gay night spot, but I've forgotten the esact name. It's Portuguese either for Queen of Spades or Queen of the Night. You can probably find it listed at http://www.guiagaybrasil.com.br

 

So, go and enjoy!