Praia da Rasa beach used to be a thriving slave port in the early 19th century. It was referred to as landing beach by the slave traders as a testament to the brisk slave trade. When slave traffic was made illegal in the middle of the 1800s, the area around the beach of Rasa became inhabited by the slaves. The slave trade at Praia da Rasa beach eventually ceased due to continuous patrol missions and the strong presence of the Brazilian navy. Today, you can find a bronze memorial statue dedicated to the slaves in the town square near the Praia da Rasa beach.
Praia da Rasa beach takes its pride of place as being the longest beach in Buzios. In comparison to the slightly shorter Manguinhos beach, the beach of Rasa has a rather straight coastline while the coastline of Manguinhos beach is curved. Small commercial establishments are located sporadically along Praia da Rasa's two mile long beach. Off the shores of Praia da Rasa beach is the Rasa Island resort which can be reached by water taxi (acquataxi). The catamaran boat tour also passes near Praia da Rasa beach to make a diving stop at Rasa Island.
Because Buzios has 20 or so beaches, finding the right beach for your hobby, sport and enjoyment is so very, very easy. In the case of Praia da Rasa beach, trade winds in the afternoon make for perfect conditions for surfing. Praia da Rasa beach is the beach of choice of the Buzios Kitesurf School when it comes to wind surfing and kite surfing. The school's owner even goes so far as to say that Praia da Rasa beach is THE beach for kite and wind surfing. People wanting to rent surfing equipment may do so at the stores near the Rasa beach. For those wanting to learn surfing, get in touch with the many schools that dot the landscape to try your hand at kite surfing and wind surfing.
Unlike other most beaches in Buzios, Praia da Rasa beach is located outside of the Buzios peninsula. Getting to Praia da Rasa is pretty easy. Aside from hiring a water taxi to get you to Rasa beach, you can ride a land taxi or bus or rent your own dune buggy. Whatever your mode of transportation, just follow the coastline until you pass Manguinhos beach. The relatively straight Praia da Rasa beach is right next to the curving Manguinhos.