Copacabana: Rio de Janeiro Beach

With the 2016 Olympics currently taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, there’s been a lot of interest in the city and its beaches. Prior to the Olympics, most tourists came to Rio for its famous beaches. When the Olympics are over, Rio’s beaches will still attract tourists and locals alike since the only thing most beach lovers have to do is look at Rio de Janeiro beach pics to start dreaming of their perfect place in the sand.

Best Beaches in Rio de Janeiro

What beaches in Rio de Janeiro are considered the best? The two most famous beaches are Copacabana and Ipanema. Other less well-known, but excellent, Rio de Janeiro beaches include:

Barra da Tijuca – Rio’s longest beach at 11 miles long.

Prainha Beach – a more secluded beach farther along the coast.

Praia Vermelha – a small beach with a cable car from the beach to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain.

Copacabana Beach

Copacabana is a 2.5-mile stretch of beach flanked by dramatic mountains in the background and a bustling, mosaic covered promenade running parallel to the beach. The beach is home to non-stop action ranging from soccer games to impromptu dance parties. If you like people watching, this is the beach for you. In addition to all the action, people watching, and partying at Copacabana beach, beachgoers enjoy laying in the sun and playing in the turquoise waters.

Be careful at night. Copacabana Beach and its surrounding area are known for having a high crime rate.

Ipanema Beach

Ipanema beach is just past Copacabana beach, but in a more upscale neighborhood. That doesn’t mean there’s no action here. On the contrary. You’ll find ongoing volleyball and soccer games on the sand, and surfers and wakeboarders enjoying the water. This is also a great people watching beach filled with exceptionally tan, good looking women and men.

There are countless vendors walking along Ipanema beach, selling what seems like an endless array of things to buy, like bathing suits, beers, beach towels, books and even coconuts. Depending on your point of view, this is either a good or bad thing.

Rio de Janeiro Hotels on the Beach

There are many waterfront hotels to choose from in Rio. Some of the best Rio de Janeiro beach resorts are …

Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Copacabana on Copacabana beach

Belmond Copacabana Palace on Copacabana beach

Porto Bay Rio Internacional Hotel on Copacabana beach

Fasano Rio de Janeiro on Ipanema beach

To many joyful beach experiences!

— Lisa Dworkin