Copacabana is Rio’s, and probably Brazil’s, most famous beach. Overlooked by the similarly famous Pao de Azucar (Sugar loaf mountain), the 4mile long curved beach contains some of Rio’s best hotels, whitest sand beaches and biggest waves. In the summer, Copacabana is home to numerous volleyball and beach football courts, as well as thousands of sunbathers. Surrounding Copacabana is Avenida Atlantica, a 6 lane main road, of which (you may be glad to hear) three lanes are closed to traffic on Sundays and bank holidays. On the beach side of the road is a cycle/jogging path and numerous yellow and red ‘Skol’ and ‘Guanarvita’ stands, serving drinks, burgers, Caipirinhas and Green Coconuts. The beach is home to some of Rio’s biggest festivals including the New Years Eve Reveillon and Carnival parades.
Ipanema is arguably the coolest beach in Rio and at weekends is full of the coolest Cariocas and Paulistas who have come for some sun and up-market fun. Ipanema has cleaner water for bathing than copacabana and the sand is perhaps cleaner too. Ipanema is the next stretch of coast to the west of Copacabana, and is seperated from Copacabana by Forte de Copacabana; a spit of land which houses the military museum and some big guns! Ipanema is home to some of Rio’s most expensive property and exclusive hotels. Behind Ipanema beach is Rua Visc de Peraja – one of the most exclusive streets in Rio with dozens of shops and restaurants.
Copacabana and Ipanema photos
How to get to Copacabana and Ipanema
Reaching Copacabana and Ipanema beaches is easy by public transport as there are both numerous Metro and Bus stops. Copacabana is well served by the Rio Metro with stations Cardeal Arcoverde, Siquiera Campos and Cantagalo stations a few blocks from Copacabana beach (from east to west respectively). Ipanema has one stop on the metro orange line – the last stop – General Osorio. This is one block from the beach on a nice square, which has a market every sunday selling gifts and art. There are many many buses on Copacabana’s main street Nossa Senhora da copacabana, 2 blocks back from the beach. Buses are also available from the main road Av Atlantica – where the blue Real bus for both airports also picks up and drops off.
There are ‘postos’ all along both Copacabana and Ipanema beaches which serve as life guard posts, toilets and good meeting points. The ones to remember are as follows:
- Posto 1: Cardeal Arcoverde metro station
- Posto 3: Siquiera Campos Metro station and Copacabana Palace Hotel
- Posto 5: Cantagalo Metro Station and Rio Othon Hotel
- Posto 8: Ipanema General Osorio Metro Station
- Posto 9: Where all the cool people hang out on Ipanema!
Crime and pests on copacabana and ipanema
Whilst there is a heavy police presence on both Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, crime does happen. I witnessed a mobile phone being stole from a group of guys sunbathing on Ipanema and have seen several arrests on Copacabana. Both beaches are camera safe, but guard your personal belongings. Worse than crime is the pesting. Men will walk along in there dozens selling coca cola, agua (water), cerveja (beer), acai acai acai, hats, beach towels, sun lotion, jewellery, camarao (prawns) – they will shout loudly and often trip over you. Most wont come directly to you, but some will prod you to get your attention. The worst offenders are the brazilian band, who come and bang drums loudly at you until you either shout at them to go away or pay them. During one 10 minute Coco Verde stop on Copacabana we had 17 people come up to us to try and sell us towels and jewellery. Most mean no harm and are simply trying to earn an honest, but it can get very tiresome. Might be worth taking earplugs if you are sensitive to hours and hours of shouting!