Lagoa de Carapebus combines a distinctive landscape with a variety of ways to experience the municipality’s waters. It covers about 10 square kilometers, lies mostly within Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba, and is considered the largest aquatic ecosystem in Restinga de Jurubatiba. The lagoon and its surroundings are home to great biodiversity. In Carapebus, nature and water offer more than just a trip to the beach: lagoons and Canal Campos-Macaé also shape activities throughout the municipality.

Lagoon, Sea, and Protected Landscape

At Balneário de Carapebus, you can swim both in the sea and in the calmer lagoon. Stand-up paddleboarding, kitesurfing, and canoeing are also practiced on this tranquil lagoon. If you prefer to be out on the sea, Praia de Carapebus offers something different: the beach is suitable for surfing and is about 12 kilometers long. These descriptions outline different options without treating them as the same: you can swim both in the sea and in the lagoon, while Praia is highlighted as a surfing beach.

Water activities are also a focus in Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba. Kayaking and environmentally friendly water sports are possible on the lagoons and Canal Campos-Macaé. For motorboat trips on Canal Campos-Macaé, registered operators offer excursions that include Lagoa Paulista and Lagoa de Carapebus. If you plan to take this trip, the registered operator is the designated point of contact.

The bodies of water mentioned can therefore be distinguished according to the activity you have in mind: swimming in the sea or the calmer lagoon, surfing at Praia, and kayaking and other environmentally friendly water sports in the national park. The motorboat trip on Canal Campos-Macaé is another option, and includes both of the lagoons mentioned. Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba is accessible via Estrada da Praia. This road connects RJ-178 with Praia de Carapebus, providing a clear reference point for finding your way to the park.

Local History and a Feast Day

There is also a clear cultural point of interest in local life: the former railway station building in central Carapebus was revitalized in 1997 and renamed Estação Cultural. Courses and workshops in theater, singing, guitar, and handicrafts are held there. Estação Cultural thus connects the history of the railway station with cultural activities today; the disciplines mentioned range from performing arts and music to handicrafts.

Near the former railway station, Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Glória is located on Praça Frei Baltazar in central Carapebus. The church is dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Glória, the town’s patron saint. Her feast includes fireworks at dawn on August 15, a fair on Praça Frei Baltazar, a procession from Igreja Matriz, and musical performances by local and invited artists. If you plan your stay around this feast day, check the specific event dates in advance.

Another landscape and cultural feature in the municipality is Canal Campos-Macaé: it was listed as state cultural heritage in 2002 and continues to shape the townscape. Along with the lagoon, national park, and coastal activities, it shows that Carapebus offers more than a single focus for an outing. When choosing a hotel in Carapebus, you can first consider whether you want to center your trip on the waterscapes, the August 15 feast, or the town’s cultural offerings.

Discover more destinations: Parati, Vassouras, Quatis, Banquete, Itatiaia, Teresópolis, Saquarema, Paty Do Alferes.

For the broader travel overview: Rio De Janeiro.