Before you go
Your trip to Itaguaí.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Itaguaí – RJ Destination Costa Verde about 73 km from Rio de Janeiro
How to get there
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Aeroporto Internacional do Galeão (GIG) Rio de Janeiro · 70 km
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Aeroporto Santos Dumont (SDU) Rio de Janeiro
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Terminal Rodoviário de Itaguaí
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
Itaguaí is 73 km from Rio de Janeiro, about an hour and fifteen minutes by car on Avenida Brasil and the BR-101. There are intercity buses from Rio, and the commuter train goes as far as Santa Cruz, the neighboring district, from where you continue by bus. The nearest airport is Galeão.
How many days
One day is enough, or half a day as a stop on the way to Mangaratiba and Angra. If you want an island, take the boat to Itacuruçá from Ilha da Madeira or Coroa Grande.
When to go
Year-round, with hot, rainy summers. The patron saint's day, São Francisco Xavier, is December 3, with a festival at the main church. Boats to the islands depend on good weather.
Do you need a car?
It helps. The main church is downtown, but Ilha da Madeira and Coroa Grande are on the waterfront, farther away. Without a car, use local buses or taxis.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Itaguaí
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Morning
Igreja Matriz de São Francisco Xavier
The Jesuit church, built between 1718 and 1729, at the origin of the town.
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Afternoon
Praia de Coroa Grande
A waterfront with views of the islands in the bay. Boats to Ilha de Itacuruçá also leave from here.
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Late afternoon
Praia da Ilha da Madeira
Coconut palms and fishing boats at anchor. It's the place for sunset over the bay.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Are Itaguaí's beaches good for swimming?
The beaches of the Baía de Sepetiba have been rated unsuitable for years in INEA's (the state environmental agency's) monitoring. Enjoy the scenery and the boat trip; for swimming in the sea, head to the islands or to Mangaratiba.
Can I go to the islands from Itaguaí?
Yes. Boats leave from Ilha da Madeira and Coroa Grande for Ilha de Itacuruçá, a short crossing.
Is it worth stopping in Itaguaí on the way to the Costa Verde?
If you like history, yes: the main church dates from the early 18th century. The stop fits into a morning, before you continue along the Rio-Santos.