Cabo Frio

This means cold handle, it is all relative at 80 degrees in the dead of winter is not cold to me. This is a good sized town with multi story hotels all along the beach. We continued with our preference of staying at the pousadas(small inns). The choice was limited as this area is dominated by the hotels and condos. We did find a great one just a few blocks off the beach. I am not a big fan of being off the beach or off of anything. Normally stick me right where the action is. But my companion prefers this and I have found that it has its plusses. We stay cheaper being the biggest one but if we want some down time or quieter meal we can. If we want the action we also can as it is right there. It is harder to get away from it if you have no where to go. Pousadas have lots of nice quiet spots in the common areas so you can sit and read a book without being stuck in a little hotel room. I have learned that this can greatly add to a trip in a foreign country where just getting a new toothbrush is an adventure and requires me to expend energy.

Cabo Frio is very much family oriented with pizza joints and arcade parlors. The beach is a large sweeping expanse of white sand that is great for surfing and swimming. They also have an old fort on one end with great rock climbing and historical interest. It has a similar feel to Ipanema but is smaller and less hectic do to be a true vacation spot versus being a beach in a thriving commercial city. The place I enjoyed the most was the centre. This is several blocks straight in from the beach and was a bustling shopping district where we filled our arms to capacity for about $50. I really enjoy just the act of buying something. The whole country could use a few more dollars in each store as getting change is a constant problem. I say dollars but I mean "reais". They do not except dollars. Visa is accepted but don't be surprised if it does not run through. I had warned my Visa I was in Brazil and it still got declined a surprising number of times. I checked with them when I got home and they said they had declined nothing. So who knows? Maybe the stores did not want to pay the % to VISA or the poor phone lines dropped a digit but it did happen.

Cabo Frio is a second to Buzios in the pure beauty but makes up for it in the pocketbook department. Well worth the time and money to get out Rio and see more the country side with a really decent destination in mind.

Rio De Janeiro / Paraty / Angra / Copacabana / Buzios / Coba Frio / Ilha Grande