Getting Around Maricá
Maricá is a coastal city in Rio de Janeiro state, set among lagoons, Atlantic Forest, beaches, and mountains. Getting around is straightforward for a visitor, and the standout feature of local transport is that you generally don't have to pay for it.
Free Municipal Buses: The "Vermelhinhos"
Maricá operates a "Tarifa Zero" program, meaning municipal public transportation is completely free. The municipal buses are nicknamed "Vermelhinhos" (Little Red Ones), and both residents and tourists can ride anywhere within the municipality at no fare. For a visitor, this is the simplest and cheapest way to move between the center, the beaches, and the lagoon areas.
- No ticket or pass is needed for municipal buses — rides are free for everyone, including tourists.
- Use them to reach the main public spaces, such as the Araçatiba Deck and Lagoon, the Itapeba Waterfront, and the central Boulevard Maricá commercial area.
Ride-Hailing and Taxis
Ride-hailing apps Uber and 99 are active in Maricá, which makes point-to-point trips easy when you don't want to wait for a bus. Car rental is also available, and is a practical option if you want to reach more secluded beaches that are less well served by public transport.
Walkability and Cycling
Several of Maricá's highlights are pleasant on foot. The Itapeba Waterfront is a linear park with walking and cycling paths, playgrounds, and fitness stations, and the Araçatiba Deck is a promenade along the lagoon suited to strolling, sunset views, and cultural events. The central Boulevard Maricá area concentrates shops, services, and dining, so it works well as a walkable base for errands and meals.
Getting There from the Airport
Maricá has its own small municipal airport, Maricá Municipal Airport (IATA: JMR), located close to the city center. Most visitors, however, arrive through Rio de Janeiro's airports:
- Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) — roughly a 75-minute transfer by taxi or bus.
- Galeão–Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) — allow around 1.5 hours for the transfer.
Taxi and bus are the stated options for both airport transfers.
Practical Tips
- Currency is the Brazilian Real (BRL). Cards are widely accepted, but cash is useful at beach kiosks and markets; ATMs are found in the city center and at Boulevard Maricá.
- A roughly 10% restaurant tip is customary.
- Portuguese is the local language, and English is limited outside hotels and tourist agencies.
- Pre-paid SIM cards (Vivo, TIM, Claro) are sold at newsstands and pharmacies — handy for ride-hailing apps.
- Tap water is not recommended for drinking.
- Bring insect repellent for lagoon and trail areas.
- Maricá is generally regarded as safer than Rio de Janeiro, but standard precautions are advised at night and in crowds.