The 12 Best Day Trips from Cabo Frio
How far each place is, what to see there, and a plan for the day.
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There are 12 good day trips from Cabo Frio, Brazil, led by Rio de Janeiro, Duque de Caxias, Nova Iguaçu. The closest is Macaé, about 1 hr 10 min by car. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.
Built from 12 nearby places, with sights from real traveler trips, on Packy AI. Last updated November 2026 by the Packy AI Travel Team.
Day trips from Cabo Frio
- 1
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 50 min by car118 km west of Cabo FrioWhat 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 2 hr 5 min by car132 km west of Cabo Frio - 3
Nova Iguaçu, Brazil
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 20 min by car147 km west of Cabo FrioKnown for GRES Beija-Flor de Nilópolis.
- 4
Belford Roxo, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 2 hr 10 min by car141 km west of Cabo Frio - 5
Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 15 min by car145 km north-east of Cabo Frio - 6
São João de Meriti, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 2 hr 10 min by car138 km west of Cabo Frio - 7
Barra da Tijuca, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 2 hr 10 min by car138 km west of Cabo Frio - 8
Macaé, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 10 min by car61 km north-east of Cabo Frio - 9
Itaboraí, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 20 min by car87 km west of Cabo Frio - 10
Maricá, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 15 min by car81 km west of Cabo Frio - 11
Nova Friburgo, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 20 min by car85 km north-west of Cabo Frio - 12
Teresópolis, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 45 min by car111 km north-west of Cabo Frio
A sample day: Cabo Frio to Rio de Janeiro
- 07:30Leave Cabo Frio
- 09:20Arrive in Rio de Janeiro (1 hr 50 min drive)
- 09:35Christ the Redeemer
- 11:35Lunch
- 12:50Sugarloaf Mountain
- 14:35Museu do Amanhã
- 16:05Head back to Cabo Frio
- 17:55Home in Cabo Frio
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best day trips from Cabo Frio?
- The best day trips from Cabo Frio are Rio de Janeiro, Duque de Caxias, Nova Iguaçu, Belford Roxo, Campos dos Goytacazes. The closest is Macaé, about 1 hr 10 min away by car.
- What is the closest day trip from Cabo Frio?
- Macaé is the closest, 61 km north-east of Cabo Frio, roughly 1 hr 10 min by car. Best as a full-day trip.
- What is the biggest city near Cabo Frio for a day out?
- Rio de Janeiro is the largest city in day-trip range, 118 km west of Cabo Frio and about 1 hr 50 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
- Where can I go for a weekend from Cabo Frio?
- For a weekend away from Cabo Frio, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Nova Iguaçu (147 km, 2 hr 20 min), Campos dos Goytacazes (145 km, 2 hr 15 min), Belford Roxo (141 km, 2 hr 10 min), Barra da Tijuca (138 km, 2 hr 10 min). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
- How far is too far for a day trip from Cabo Frio?
- Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Nova Iguaçu at 147 km, around 2 hr 20 min by car, which is better as a long day or an overnight stay.
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