The 13 Best Day Trips from Araruama
How far each place is, what to see there, and a plan for the day.
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There are 13 good day trips from Araruama, Brazil, led by Rio de Janeiro, Duque de Caxias, Nova Iguaçu. The closest is Cabo Frio, about 35 min by car, and 2 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.
Built from 13 nearby places, with sights from real traveler trips, on Packy AI. Last updated November 2026 by the Packy AI Travel Team.
Day trips from Araruama
- 1
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 20 min by car86 km west of AraruamaWhat travelers see in Rio de Janeiro
- Christ the Redeemer - Visit one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
- Sugarloaf Mountain - Take a cable car ride to Sugarloaf Mountain for stunning views of the city and coastline, especially at sunset.
- Museu do Amanhã - This unique science museum offers interactive exhibits that explore sustainability and the future of our planet.
- 2
Duque de Caxias, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 35 min by car100 km west of Araruama - 3
Nova Iguaçu, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 45 min by car114 km west of AraruamaKnown for GRES Beija-Flor de Nilópolis.
- 4
Belford Roxo, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 40 min by car109 km west of Araruama - 5
São João de Meriti, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 40 min by car106 km west of Araruama - 6
Barra da Tijuca, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 40 min by car106 km west of Araruama - 7
Petrópolis, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 30 min by car95 km north-west of Araruama - 8
Macaé, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 30 min by car79 km north-east of Araruama - 9
Itaboraí, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 5 min by car55 km west of Araruama - 10
Cabo Frio, Brazil
Half-day tripAbout 35 min by car32 km east of Araruama - 11
Maricá, Brazil
Half-day tripAbout 55 min by car49 km west of Araruama - 12
Nova Friburgo, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 20 min by car68 km north of Araruama - 13
Teresópolis, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 20 min by car83 km north-west of Araruama
A sample day: Araruama to Rio de Janeiro
- 08:30Leave Araruama
- 09:50Arrive in Rio de Janeiro (1 hr 20 min drive)
- 10:05Christ the Redeemer
- 12:05Lunch
- 13:20Sugarloaf Mountain
- 15:05Museu do Amanhã
- 16:35Head back to Araruama
- 17:55Home in Araruama
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best day trips from Araruama?
- The best day trips from Araruama are Rio de Janeiro, Duque de Caxias, Nova Iguaçu, Belford Roxo, São João de Meriti. The closest is Cabo Frio, about 35 min away by car.
- What is the closest day trip from Araruama?
- Cabo Frio is the closest, 32 km east of Araruama, roughly 35 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
- Where can I go within an hour of Araruama?
- 2 places are within about an hour's drive of Araruama: Cabo Frio (35 min), Maricá (55 min).
- What is the biggest city near Araruama for a day out?
- Rio de Janeiro is the largest city in day-trip range, 86 km west of Araruama and about 1 hr 20 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
- Where can I go for a weekend from Araruama?
- For a weekend away from Araruama, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Nova Iguaçu (114 km, 1 hr 45 min), Belford Roxo (109 km, 1 hr 40 min), Barra da Tijuca (106 km, 1 hr 40 min), São João de Meriti (106 km, 1 hr 40 min). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
- How far is too far for a day trip from Araruama?
- Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Nova Iguaçu at 114 km, around 1 hr 45 min by car.
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