Praia da Ferradura, Horseshoe-shaped beach in Buzios, Brazil
Praia da Ferradura is a beach located in a horseshoe-shaped bay in Búzios, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Green hills frame both ends of the shoreline, and the shape of the bay keeps the water sheltered and generally calm.
Búzios was a small fishing village until the 1960s, when French actress Brigitte Bardot visited and drew wider attention to the peninsula. That change gradually turned the whole area, including this beach, into a destination that visitors from many places began to seek out.
The name "Ferradura" means horseshoe in Portuguese, a direct reference to the curved shape of the bay. Visitors often notice small fishing boats still moored along the shore, a reminder of how the area has long been tied to the sea.
Chairs, umbrellas, and water sports gear are available for rent directly on the sand, so there is no need to bring much equipment. Restaurants and restrooms are close to the beach and easy to reach on foot from anywhere along the shore.
At low tide, the shape of the bay creates shallow natural pools that sit apart from the open water and are noticeably warmer. These pools form on their own due to the curve of the coastline and tend to attract families with young children.
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