Looking to escape to a small fishing town with a cobblestone street, Rua das Pedras, lined with bars, discos, restaurants, shops, boutiques, and a bronze bench with a seated Brigitte Bardot statue gazing out at the Atlantic Ocean? Plus about two dozen beaches, each with a different mood, personality, and set of activities? A money-saving Buzios vacation rental villa, home, or condo is only about two hours by road from the hustle and bustle of Rio de Janeiro. Cabo Frio International Airport is about 10 miles away, but business jets and Fokker aircraft favor nearby Umberto Modiano Airport (SBBZ).

A boat tour is a good way to get acquainted with Buzios. Alternatively, you can arrive by boat using Nautical Chart 1504 for Buzios, and moor at Marina Porto Buzios or Buzios Yacht Club. The wind comes in from the northeast at about 18km/hour, and Porto Veleiro in Ossos Beach near the fishing boats is another source for nautical services. When you hit land, tee off for 18 holes at Buzios Golf Club, which is less than a mile from Marina Porto Buzios.

With plenty of sunshine and about two dozen beaches, the biggest problem of a money-saving Buzios vacation rental is often which beach to choose. Ossos Beach and the calm waters of Azeda Beach are linked by a trail, and can be reached by boat. Joao Fernandes and Joao Fernandinho Beaches are notable for their many seafood bars. Near the city center, Rasa Beach is popular for swimming and fishing. Manguinhos Beach, on the north side of the peninsula, has calm waters for kids to swim; and is great for romantic sunset walks.

A money-saving Buzios vacation rental stay would not be complete without at least viewing and snapping a shot of the brown sands, blue waters, and large horseshoe-shaped bay of Ferradura Beach. Open-air bars serve up local cuisine and drinks on one end of the beach. The other end is less crowded, though it gets staked out with coolers and umbrellas.

Geriba Beach is large and open, with great waves for surfing lessons and boogie boarding. Windsurfing is also excellent. The Fishbone Cafe in Geriba Beach is the place to hangout. For a change of pace from the beach and poolside barbecuing at your Buzios vacation rental, consider using some of the money saved to treat the family to horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, scuba diving, and whale watching. Even if you do nothing but relax and barbecue poolside, your money-saving Buzios vacation rental will have you wanting to return as soon as possible.