About a two-hour drive north of Rio de Janeiro, is Praia de Geriba Beach located on the Buzios Peninsula. This Buzios beach (one of more than twenty on the peninsula) is considered one of the best Brazil beaches. This is saying something when you're talking about a country that is just about synonymous with beautiful beaches. Geriba Beach is one of the widest and longest in the country, stretching along the south of Buzios.

The unusual length of Praia de Geriba Beach is one of its attractions, because it means that there are actually different sea conditions on different sections of the beach. Children and weaker swimmers will want to hang out in the waters on the east end of Praia de Geriba Beach as it has the gentlest waves. The ocean bottom along the Buzios beach has no coral and is not very rocky. Thus, it's a very good beach for water sports novices to learn.

Waves on the west end are more turbulent and dangerous with rip tides that can drag you into the cliffside. Waves are quite strong in the center. So, for your health and safety, pay attention to life guards or ask before you venture too far here. It's here in the center of Praia de Geriba Beach where you'll find more experienced surfers and more action. Off shore, the wind is a constant, so add windsurfing to the many sports that are popular here. The water is also warm nearly all year long, because it's quite shallow up to sixty feet out.

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For dining, there's a restaurant right in the center of Praia de Geriba Beach as well as a happening bar. And for nightlife, there's a disco. An open-invitation pig roast is held on the beach every week, as is done on many popular Brazil beaches. There's also a Sunday evening pizza buffet. Along the sand's edge are many bistros, restaurants, and bars. After sunset, you'll hear lively Brazilian music coming from most of them.

If you're staying near Praia de Geriba Beach for any period of time, and the sand and sea are what beckons to you, consider one of the "pousadas" (small boutique-type hotels) or look for an actual self-catering house or apartment to rent. Many of these are literally on the beach, as is the case with many Brazil beaches. There are also scores of hotels and resort properties to choose from.

If you can tear yourself away from this Buzios beach for a time, you'll find plenty of things to do quite close by. There are other great Brazil beaches on the peninsula to explore, and all are unique. Stroll along Rua des Pedras (Stone Street), the village's charming cobblestone main thoroughfare. Lined with trendy shops and boutiques, bistros and sidewalk cafés, this is a nightlife hotspot. You'll often be rubbing shoulders with celebrities, chief among them, the superstar soccer players of Brazil, wildly popular Brazilian soap opera headliners, and the occasional international film star. Like Jericoacora Beach, Geriba Beach also was once a sleepy little fishing village. But it's been an international destination for the world's glitterati since the legendary actress Brigitte Bardot "discovered" it in 1964.

The Buzios peninsula and communities around Geriba Beach were first settled by pirates and slave traders, followed later by freed slaves. Add that heritage and history to the traditions of the local fishermen and the many international visitors, and you have a very multi-cultural mix. You'll find a variety of music, from jazz to hip hop and restaurants from humble to sophisticated offering everything from fresh caught local fish specialties and renowned Argentine beef to pizza from Italy and fine French restaurants.

Praia de Geriba Beach is in close proximity to many other attractions. Venture a little further afield, and visit Taua Reserve, known for its wide variety of colorful birdlife and hundreds of species of butterflies. The Emerancias Reserve protects fascinating Atlantic Ocean forests-look here for the beautiful Golden Tamarin, one of the world's most endangered monkeys.
If you're spending enough time in or around Rio, do consider traveling north of the city to explore the great beaches like Geriba Beach and the rugged coastline of Buzios. There are flights from Rio and car transportation from Rio will take you over the amazing Rio Niteroi Bridge, which you'll also see if you do a cruise in the city's beautiful Guanabara Bay. These scenic cruises that feature the bay's hundreds of islands, Sugarloaf, and dominating Christ the Redeemer statue are easy to book onsite, and are often included in Rio de Janeiro vacation packages.