Looking for tips on where to stay in Arraial do Cabo, Brazil? Arraial do Cabo is a coastal city, boasting some of the most beautiful beaches in Rio de Janeiro. The city features quite affordable accommodations and offers a variety of beaches and places to stay in Arraial do Cabo, with the main ones being: Anjos Beach, Praia Grande, Prainha, and Pontal do Atalaia.
Most of the accommodations in Arraial do Cabo are very basic inns that offer only essential services. However, if you choose the right area and explore the options, you can find good accommodations with great service and a welcoming atmosphere.
In the city, there are also good options for vacation homes, which in many cases are more modern and well-maintained than the inns, offering a degree of luxury and modernity.
Breathing Tips:
Anjos Beach: The best area to explore restaurants, take boat tours, and use water taxis. The beach isn’t great for swimming (+ hotels).
Praia Grande: A beautiful beach good for swimming with affordable lodging options (+ hotels).
Prainha: A beautiful and very popular beach, often crowded (+ hotels).
Pontal do Atalaia beach: The area with the best vacation homes (+ hotels).
Best place to Stay in Arraial do Cabo
Anjos Beach (Praia dos Anjos) is generally considered the best area to stay in Arraial do Cabo. This central region boasts a variety of hotels, restaurants, and essential services such as pharmacies, supermarkets, and more. Additionally, boat tours and water taxis depart from the port at Praia dos Anjos.
Where to Stay in Arraial do Cabo
The following are the best regions to stay in Arraial do Cabo. Although the city is large, we do not recommend staying in other neighborhoods because, besides being farther from the beaches and lacking good infrastructure, they may not be as safe for tourists.
1 – Anjos Beach: Central area and most practical
The Anjos Beach (Praia dos Anjos) region is the most practical area to stay in Arraial do Cabo. It’s ideal for those seeking easy access to the main attractions and services in the city. Boat tours and water taxis to the best beaches in Arraial do Cabo depart from Anjos Beach. The walk to Forno Brach also starts at Anjos Beach.
This area has supermarkets, bars, good restaurants, tour agencies, shops, pharmacies, and ATMs. Anjos Beach also offers a good number of hotels and rental apartments. Arraial do Cabo doesn’t have a very lively nightlife, but this is the region where most bars and restaurants are concentrated in the evening.
Central location with all necessary amenities. Easy access to Arraial do Cabo’s beaches and tours.
Anjos Beach itself isn’t great for swimming.
To be closer to the port where the boats depart and the start of the trail to Forno Beach, stay on the left side of the beach.
Best Hotels in Anjos Beach
- Costa Dourada Pousada: A simple in that offers basic hotel services, as well as well-lit, air-conditioned rooms. The inn has a good breakfast and is just a few steps from where the boats for tours depart.
- Pousada Arraial Inn: A rustic inn with a cozy atmosphere. It offers more than just basic services, with a pool, sauna, air conditioning, and good breakfast.
- Apartment with pool: A two-bedroom apartment with a sea view, located a few steps from the marina. The apartment has a pool, playground, fully equipped kitchen, and balcony.
2 – Praia Grande: Gorgeous Beach and Spectacular Sunsets
Praia Grande, often called Praia Grande, is a stunning beach known for its breathtaking sunsets. It’s conveniently located near Anjos Beach and the entrance to the Pontal do Atalaia condominium, which leads to the Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia.
This beach is great for swimming, although it has the coldest water in Arraial do Cabo. The area also boasts a good range of amenities, including restaurants, beach bars, supermarkets, and pharmacies. However, despite having everything you might need, Anjos Beach offers a much wider variety of hotels and restaurants than Praia Grande.
Beautiful beach with lovely sunsets. Region has all necessary conveniences.
The beach water is quite cold. The selection of restaurants and hotels is not very broad or varied.
Consider staying on the left side of Praia Grande, near the statue of Flávia Alessandra. This is the busiest part of the beach, where most of the restaurants are located.
Best Hotels to Stay in Praia Grande
- Pousada Caminho do Sol: A simple, rustic inn just steps from the beach. This lodge offers a pool, restaurant, air-conditioned rooms, basic hotel services, and a hearty breakfast.
- Aparts da Praia Grande 303: A two-bedroom apartment with a pool, air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen, and a sea view.
3 – Prainha: A Very Popular Area
Prainha is an extremely popular beach, which can sometimes feel a bit chaotic, located right at the entrance to Arraial do Cabo. The beach is picturesque and tends to be crowded, especially during peak season and on weekends.
This area boasts a good variety of restaurants, although hotel options are limited, with seasonal apartments being the most common type of accommodation in Prainha.
Beautiful beach with a good selection of beach bars and restaurants.
Limited hotel options and the beach is farther from the central region.
This is my least favorite area to stay in Arraial do Cabo, as it is not only very crowded but also further away from the marina and access to Arraial’s best beaches.
Best Hotels to Stay in Prainha
- Mediterrane Hotel by Castelo Itaipava: The best hotel in the Prainha area. Located two blocks from the sea, it offers full services including a rooftop pool, bar, restaurant, sauna, gym, and breakfast.
4 – Pontal do Atalaia: A Quiet Area with Incredible Views
Pontal do Atalaia is a serene region, offering a good selection of seasonal homes with beautiful views and personalized services. The best vacation homes in Arraial do Cabo are found here. However, it’s important to be discerning as, alongside some top-quality homes, there are also some of lesser quality.
This area is not for those looking to economize; it caters to discerning travelers seeking a more exclusive, comfortable spot with a touch of luxury, a step above the standard accommodations in Arraial do Cabo.
Offers spacious, modern vacation homes with ocean views.
The area is further from the city center, and ideally, you should have a car or keep a driver’s contact handy for more comfort.
Being further from the center, this location is not the best for those wanting to explore the entire city. It’s more suited for visitors who plan fewer outings and prefer to return to relax with a stunning view.
Best Hotels to Stay in Pontal do Atalaia
- Casa Santorini Terrace: A house with two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, barbecue, and a terrace with a spectacular sea view. The decor and architecture are inspired by the Greek islands.
- Casa Corazul: Offers well-lit apartments and suites with rustic decor and beautiful sea views.
- Ioda Guesthouse: An inn with an infinity pool, air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen, and well-lit, beautifully decorated spaces. The place is modern with lovely views of the sea and Pontal do Atalaia.