International publication highlights Rio das Ostras among the best beach destinations in Brazil

[Article via Secom Rio das Ostras, photo by Cezar Fernandes. My translation]

In its March issue the magazine Lonely Planet, the world reference for those who like to travel, published an article selecting the seven best beach destinations in Brazil. Rio das Ostras was one of those places listed by the guide and the only one cited in Rio de Janeiro state.
The highlight was Itapebussus beach and for Lagoa Salgada. Both occupy the same incorporated area and are a substantial part of a protected environment, consisting of restinga vegetation and animals which face extinction, the Área de Relevante Interesse Ambiental - Arie.

Improvements - Praia do Bosque

The city is working on improving the entire beach front of Praia do Bosque.

The heavy equipment has come out and they're making visible progress.

Improvements - Decks on Praia da Tartaruga

Where: Praia da Tartaruga
What: Deck replacement

Beaches - Praia de Costazul

By far this is Rio das Ostras' most famous beach.

Beaches - Praia do Remanso

Formed into a small cove by large boulders, this is a good beach for children because the boulders also form small ponds. The water is warm, green and fairly clear especially in summer months.

Situated in Costazul, near Tocolândia and the Praça da Baleia. The area is lined with sidewalks, decks and playgrounds near the sand.

Beaches - Praia da Joana

Small in size and huge in charm, Praia da Joana is part of the "Monumento Natural dos Costões Rochosos" of Rio das Ostras. It has vegetation typical of the city, with many bromeliads, cacti, orchids, small shrubs, almond and coconut trees. It has crystal clear water, rocks at the ends and is located right near Coconut Island.

Beaches - Praia do Cemitério

Located just to the north of Praia do Centro, just around the point on the other side of the Iate Clube, this small beach is great for swimming. The waves are gentle, the water is shallow and it is much less crowded than Praia do Centro.With it's picturesque wooden pier, it's said to be the best location in town for watching the sunset.

Beaches - Praia do Bosque

Located just to the south of Praia do Centro, this beach has bigger waves and rougher sand than Centro, but not as bad as Praia das Tartarugas. The beach runs from Praça São Pedro in Centro to the rocks at the point of Turtle Beach.

Beaches - Praia do Abricó

This beach is not often full of people because the waves are very strong, and the water drops off and gets deep very quickly. The sand is also a bit rough, but full of good seashells. It is the first beach you come to in Rio das Ostras if you're coming from Rio de Janeiro. It is located alongside Highway Amaral Peixoto (RJ-106).

There are a few kioskes, but they seem to be only open on busy weekends.

It's about 4km long, and 5 to 20 meters wide.

Beaches - Praia das Tartarugas

Meaning "Turtle Beach". Found between Praia do Abrico and Praia do Bosque, this beach is so named because it shelters the largest number of sea turtles in the city. It also has a large rock at the point which is shaped like a turtle when viewed from above. The Tamar Project, which is dedicated to protect the turtles, monitors this beach to help preserve the species which were in danger of extinction.

Beaches - Praia do Centro

Located right downtown, this beach has very calm waters and seems to be the best one for small children. It is the embarkation point for tour boats that travel the coast and also hosts the "banana-boat". It is about 2km long and ten to twenty meters wide.