Along the length of Praia da Armacao is a walkway that is similar to the Queen's Promenade that can be found in the town of Blackpool, England beside the Irish sea. While Armacao dos Buzios may not have the same old world charm as Blackpool does, the weather here in Buzios is definitely warmer. If you have to wear layered clothes in Blackpool to avoid freezing yourself to death, you can wear even the most miniscule piece of clothing in Buzios and stay comfortably warm. Along the walkway beside Praia da Armacao, there are plenty of shops, hotels, pousadas, restaurants and cafes that provide tourists with whatever they may need. Sadly, Brazil's conservation laws did not come fast enough to protect Praia da Armacao as it is now not recommended for swmming. However, there are some splendid displays of coral formations and marine wildlife off the shores of Armacao beach. Divers have a fine time under the water to watch a kind of life rarely seen by most humans.
Even so, Armacao beach is where it happens as this is the closest beach to the Buzios town centre. There is also something to see for people visiting Praia da Armacao. Right on the bay are three statues of fishermen hauling in their nets. The statues were created by Buzios artist Cristina Motta. Another statue created by her is the one of Bridgette Bardot sitting on top of her suitcase while gazing out to sea.
Today, Praia da Armacao is the touch-off point for most schooner tours in Buzios. On each side of Praia da Armacao are Ossos and Canto beaches where people who want to stay close to town go for some sun and surf. Praia da Armacao is also where most of Buzios' modern history began.
In the early to middle eras of the second millennium BC, Praia da Armacao served as a trading port where slaves would get off ships and Brazil timber would be loaded for export to the old world. Gold and whale oil are other products that were traded in Armacao beach. As a matter of fact, Praia da Armacao, together with Ossos beach, was the primary area for whale hunting. The name Armacao is a derivative of the word armes or arms in old English. These armacaos or arms were used as traps for passing whales. The carcasses of trapped whales were then brought to Praia da Armacao and Ossos for stripping and processing. Since Armacao beach was something of an international port during those times, it was only inevitable that foreign settlers in the form of slaves and migrants as well as company men would settle in Praia da Armacao. After all, Praia da Armacao had favorable weather compared to the generally chilly European climate. Locals inhabiting the area around Praia da Armacao and the Buzios peninsula today are mostly descendants of these migrants. Even today, there are plenty of foreign nationals who call Buzios their home while a lot more are still wishing to call it so. Whatever Armacao dos Buzios may be today and in future, residents here owe it all to Praia da Armacao.