Praia da Tartaruga and Praia dos Ossos: The Two Beaches Búzios Locals Actually Swim At

The guided buggy tour is built around efficiency — 8 beaches and 3 viewpoints in 90 minutes, the highest-impact stops on the whole peninsula. It's the fastest way to see what makes Búzios famous.

But Búzios has more than 20 beaches, and locals tend to have their own quieter favourites that never make it onto a 90-minute tour. Two names come up consistently: Praia da Tartaruga and Praia dos Ossos.

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Praia da Tartaruga — Where Sea Turtles Still Nest

Tucked between two rocky points, Praia da Tartaruga gets its name from the sea turtles that nest in its sheltered, warm-water cove — three different species use this beach, which tells you everything about how calm the water actually is.

It's consistently the local recommendation for families with young kids: shallow coral formations for gentle snorkelling, virtually no waves, and a string of beachfront kiosks the entire length of the sand.

What to Know Before You Go

Access by buggy is via Avenida José Bento Ribeiro Dantas, turning onto Rua da Tartaruga. Parking on the access road is limited and the area gets congested on weekends and holidays.

One thing worth knowing: like many beach kiosks along this stretch of coast, the ones at Praia da Tartaruga generally require a minimum food or drink order to use a chair and umbrella, and menus aren't always priced clearly. Bills well over R$200 for a simple lunch aren't unusual if you don't check prices first. Always confirm the price of anything before accepting it, and ask upfront whether there's a minimum spend required to sit down.

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Praia dos Ossos — The Beach Most Visitors Don't Realise You Can Swim At

The name comes from the whale hunting that took place here from 1730 onward — whale bones used to litter the sand, hence "Ossos" (bones). Today it's a small, picturesque cove framed by restored fishermen's houses and colourful anchored boats.

Here's the detail most tourists miss: despite not being the most talked-about beach on the peninsula, the water at Praia dos Ossos is completely swimmable — calm, wave-free, genuinely good for swimming with young children. Precisely because it's overlooked, it tends to stay empty even on the busiest days in town.

It's also the shortest walking access point to the trail leading to Azeda and Azedinha — two small coves with noticeably clearer, green-tinted water.

Azeda vs. Azedinha: What's Actually Different Between Them

They sit right next to each other on the same trail, but they're not interchangeable. Azeda is the larger of the two, with more sand and slightly more foot traffic since it's the first one you reach. Azedinha, a short scramble further along, is smaller and quieter, tucked into a tighter cove — it's the one locals tend to point to first if you ask which is prettier, though Azeda has more room to actually spread out a towel.

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Why These Beaches Work Better with Rental Than the Guided Tour

The 90-minute guided tour is built to show you the maximum amount of Búzios in the minimum time — which means it prioritises the stops with the biggest visual and historical payoff: Praia do Forno, João Fernandes Viewpoint, Ponta da Lagoinha.

Praia da Tartaruga and Praia dos Ossos are excellent, but they ask for more time standing still — a long swim, lunch at the kiosk, the walk over to Azeda. That's exactly the kind of plan that works better with full autonomy and no guide's schedule to keep.

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How Rental Works for Visiting These Beaches

• 24-hour daily rate: R$300, up to 4 people per buggy
• No physical credit card required — R$500 deposit in cash or PIX
• Delivered to your hotel, pousada or Airbnb — at no extra charge
• No upfront payment — you pay only when you pick up the vehicle
• 30-minute guarantee — if you're not comfortable driving, return it and get 100% back

With a rented buggy, you build your own route: start at Praia dos Ossos in the morning, walk the trail to Azeda and Azedinha, and finish the day at Praia da Tartaruga with a relaxed lunch before sunset.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal to be required to order food to use a beach chair?

Yes, it's common practice at kiosk-run stretches of beach in this region, not unique to any one vendor — the way to avoid surprises is simply to ask about pricing and any minimum spend before you sit down.

How do I get to Azeda and Azedinha from Praia dos Ossos?

There's a walking trail connecting the two — it's a short, scenic walk rather than a drive, so you can park at Ossos and continue on foot.

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How to Book the Rental

Booking is by WhatsApp, no upfront payment. Tell us your date, your hotel name and how many people will be driving — we deliver the buggy to your door. To guarantee availability, we recommend booking at least one day in advance.