When we talk about the Marvelous City, there is nothing better than starting giving advice about Rio de Janeiro beaches. After all, the city is known for its natural beauty and its coast. To give you an idea, the coast of Rio de Janeiro has more than 40 beaches of various styles and beauty. There are several scenarios with cinematic landscapes.
So to help you enjoy all that Rio’s beaches have to offer, we decided to create this post with All the Tips for You Enjoy Rio de Janeiro Beaches. In this article you will learn a little more of Rio’s coast. Then, we separate the top tips on the following topics to help you:
- 5 General tips about the beaches of Rio de Janeiro
- Guanabara Bay Beaches
- South Zone Beaches
- West Zone Beaches
Well, you may have noticed that there is no lack beaches options in Rio de Janeiro. So, to find out which beaches best matches your style, keep reading this post. Now without further ado, let’s get to it: the tips!
5 General Tips about Rio de Janeiro Beaches:
- Price List: Be careful when choosing a tent on the Rio de Janeiro beaches. Nowadays prices are tabulated, so the price lists must be visible. As for the sellers on the sands, the average price of products sold is R $ 5.00. Since a soft drink, a beer, a mate, or even an Arab esfiha.
- Beware of the Sea: Always respect the sea. Pay attention to the warnings of danger because of the current. As the majority of Rio de Janeirp beaches are open sea, there are times when the currents and waves are very strong.
- Pay attention to Thefts: Unfortunately, we know that the Rio de Janeiro usually has some cases of thefts, especially on the beaches. So always be careful to your stuff, and avoid going out with valuables.
- Taste Mate Tea: Drink typical of Rio’s beaches, especially in the South Zone, the mate tea became “Cultural and Intangible Heritage of the Rio de Janeiro City.” That is, you cannot let to try one (ask to add lemon juice).
- Trash is in the Trash Can: Let’s help keep the beaches clean. Please, when you leave the beach, take your trash to the trash can.
Guanabara Bay Beaches
Flamengo Beach:
This long beach of the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro has a privileged view of Sugar Loaf and the city of Niteroi. Its waters are calm and peaceful, but nevertheless, you will not want to get into it. Located within the Guanabara Bay, the condition of the Flamengo beach water is very bad. The greater part of the year the water are inappropriate for swimming. So what to do?
What to do: Even with its dirty water, the Flamengo beach is a very interesting place because its boardwalk has the Aterro do Flamengo, an extensive leisure complex that stretches from Santos Dumont Airport to the Botafogo Beach. Besides serving as home to the Modern Art Museum (MAM) and some monuments, the complex also has a sports area full of courts, bike paths and numerous bars and restaurants. However pay attention! The area is not very safe there are reports of assault there. So, try not to go alone, prefer to visit during the day and stay tuned. The beauty of the Aterro do Flamengo is such that the pickpockets take advantage of tourist admiration moments to act.
Tip: The point of Flamengo Beach is the Belmonte bar usually is always full of people.
Botafogo Beach:
One of the postcards of the city, Botafogo Bay has one of the most beautiful visual among all the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. The landscape with the Sugar Loaf, Urca Hill and a beach full of boats due to the Yacht Club, it seems more an artistic painting. However the beach also is located within the Guanabara Bay, as soon its waters are extremely polluted and inappropriate for swimming.
What to do: Although beach water is dirty, a bike ride on his bicycle path or a simple walk by its boardwalk are very pleasant walks.
Tip: Every night in front of the mall Botafogo Praia Shopping, stands the trailer Chico. With delicious sandwiches and a great service, the place is just cheap and delicious.
Urca Beach:
One of the smaller beaches of Rio de Janeiro, 100 meters long, Urca Beach also has the water calm, dark and inappropriate for swimming because of pollution. In its boardwalk is the former Urca Casino, being a great place to take a walk and enjoy the sunset.
What to do: In addition to the walk along the beach, the Urca has several buildings and historic homes with a unique architecture, as the two universities: UFRJ and UNIRIO. It is one of the most interesting tours of Rio de Janeiro. The trick is to get lost among the narrow streets of the neighborhood. You can go without fear, after all Urca is a very safe place.
Tip: You cannot let enjoy the end of the afternoon of the Urca boardwalk. Besides having a beautiful sunset, the beach also has some good bars. The point is the Urca bar where you can drink a cold beer, eat a delicious pastel ( a traditional Brazilian snack) and taste various seafood dishes at the restaurant that sits on top of the bar.
Red Beach:
The Red Beach is a small beach located between two hills close to the cable car entrance of the Sugar Loaf in the neighborhood of Urca. His name came up because its sands have a reddish color at sunset. Situated at the entrance of Guanabara Bay, its waters are green and its sea fairly calm. Currently, according to the quality report of the waters of the Rio de Janeiro beaches, the Red beach has been presented as one of the cleanest beaches of the South Zone, being very frequented by who practice kayak, canoes and stand up paddle.
What to do: In the corner of Red Beach, on the left if you are looking out to sea, there is the Claudio Coutinho trail, a track for pedestrians in a natural and ecological reserve. For those who like to make a hike, the Claudio Coutinho Track is the starting point for the trail leading to the top of Urca Hill. The path is well signposted and easy to access, but a little steep. You will spend between 30 to 50 minutes, but the look is stunning.
Tip: At the other end of the Red beach, has a Military Circle restaurant which by the way is a very good and very pleasant place. It has a fantastic view and delicious food.
Beaches in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro
Leme Beach:
Leme Beach is a very good and very charming beach and is frequented most of the year by locals. Its waters are calm and inviting for a swim and according the study of water quality is the cleanest beach in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro. The beach is a continuation of Copacabana and is a great option for those who want to relax in an emptier and quieter beach.
What to do: The Leme Beach is situated next to a huge stone, which at its top is the Fort of Leme, where you can have a privileged view of the other beaches in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro. It’s worth the ride.
Tip: The kiosks at the end of Leme beach usually promote live shows and free parties at sunset. It`s a great choice to enjoy after the beach.
Copacabana beach:
Among all the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana beach is the most visited. One of the most famous beaches in the world, the “Princess of the Sea” has a wide sands and a wonderful boardwalk. Full of hotels, kiosks and restaurants, Copacabana is used to host major events. For being very famous, the beach is always very crowded, but it is a delight. The sea is calm and great for a swim.
What to do: At the end of the beach, on the far right of who are looking to the sea, is the Fort Copacabana. Built in the nineteenth century, the fort today turned into a house of culture and is a very nice ride.
Tip: In the same corner of the beach, you can find several rental tents of Stand Up Paddle boards. You can also hire lessons for beginners.
Arpoador Beach / Devil’s Beach
Frequented by surfers, Arpoador is a continuation of Ipanema beach. It has a boardwalk with great infrastructure, and a beautiful stone where you can see a cinematic sunset. A ride that is very worthwhile! Besides the stunning visual, the stone divides the Arpoador beach from the Devil’s beach, a small beach that at high tide has its strip of sand covered by water. But at low tide, it becomes a delightful beach.
What to do: Apart from enjoying one of the postcards of Rio de Janeiro, the stone of Arpoador, you should also take a tour around the Girl from Ipanema Park, which the entrance face beach Arpoador beach. At the top of the park has a skate track where also the view is magnificent.
Tip: Between the beach of the Devil and the Arpoador beach has a square where usually have live and free shows in the summer. It’s always very excited. It is worth going there to check.
Ipanema beach:
One of the most famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro, Ipanema is an inspiring place and subject of several songs. Frequented by people from various tribes, the Ipanema beach is quite democratic. Currently there are already some points of pre-established groups, for example: Posto 9, the area that extends from Vinicius de Moraes Street to Maria Quiteria Street, is the most popular spot, and brings together various tribes that vary from university students, alternative people, hipsters and neo-hippies. The GLS public is in Farme de Amoedo Street, between Posto 8 and 9. Now, the modern guys are divided between the Maria Quitéria street and Aníbal de Mendonça street, between Posto 9 e 10.
What to do: Besides enjoy the sunset from Ipanema beach which is as magnificent as the Arpoador, make sure you get some exercise. The sand and the beach promenade live full, mainly of people practicing sports. The altinha (match of not drop the ball without using your hands) practically dominates the beach.
Tip: Famous for launching fashion and cultural movements, Ipanema beach is full almost every day. Its boardwalk always becomes stage for new bands, a ride that is always very enriching.
Leblon Beach:
Continuation from Ipanema Beach, Leblon is a great choice for kids and families. Between the rank 11 and 12 is set an area surrounded with baby changing facilities and toys for children. At this point the beach is also possible to rent plastic pools. The beach ends at the cliffs of Av. Niemeyer, where is located the Leblon belvedere.
What to do: Apart from enjoy the beach, walk to the Leblon belvedere to take coconut water is a ride that is very worthwhile. The area has good infrastructure with toilets and kiosks, and has a beautiful view of the beaches of Leblon, Ipanema and Arpoador.
Tips: Beside the babies area is the Ana tent, where you have a great service and also accept credit card.
Sao Conrado Beach:
Last neighborhood in South Zone of Rio de Janeiro, the São Conrado beach is quite democratic. You can see residents of Rocinha living in harmony with the residents of high-class condominiums. Its blue sea is good for surfing practice, but nowadays because of a canal that flows into on the beach, São Conrado water has been most of the time inappropriate for swimming.
What to do: The São Conrado beach is the arrival point for those who want to jump from hang gliding, or simply dazzle the look of Pedra Bonita. The hike to the Pedra Bonita is very cool, especially if you climb to the top of the stone. If you want to jump from hang gliding, see more information about our tour.
Tip: At the beginning of 2016 was inaugurated the bike path that connects the Leblon beach with São Conrado beach, an amazing tour that you should do, even walking.
Beaches of the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro
Joatinga Beach:
One of the most beautiful among all Rio de Janeiro beaches, Joatinga is located within a condominium in Joah neighborhood. Being away from the hottest neighborhoods and have access through a little trail, the beach is an alcove for the famous people seeking privacy. Its fine and white sand are not accessible at high tide. With its blue sea and its perfect waves, Joatinga is also a point of surfers.
What to do: The beach Joatinga is simply beautiful. It is a great tour even if it is only to relax and contemplate the landscape.
Tip: Get there early because the sun disappears early. The buildings and mansions around the beach make a shadow across its sand.
Pepê Beach:
Located along Pepê Avenue, the name of the beach is in honor of the athlete Pedro Paulo Carneiro Lopes Guise (Pepê). A continuation of the beach of Barra da Tijuca, Pepê beach is very popular with young people, artists and famous. Because of its strong winds and waves, the predominant sports are windsurfing, kite surfing and surfing. The beach is very beautiful and has a unique beauty.
What to do: The Pepê beach, as well as having 5 volleyball courts / footvolley, a beach soccer field and a playground, is also a place that hosts several sporting events.
Tip: The Pepê tent is the point of the beach. In addition to serving great juices, also has several natural sandwiches.
Barra da Tijuca Beach:
The biggest of all the Rio de Janeiro beaches, Barra da Tijuca has extensive, fine and white sand, not to mention its green waters. Frequented by many beautiful and famous people, Barra da Tijuca beach is point of water sports practitioners. To complete, the beach has a beautiful sidewalk with an excellent infrastructure. It is a very inviting place to walk around.
What to do: In addition to enjoy the beach cycling the bike path is also very nice. After all, the waterfront is 18 km long.
Tip: Stay to watch the sunset. The beach of Barra da Tijuca has a magnificent sunset.
Reserve Beach:
Located between the beach of Barra da Tijuca and Recreio Beach, the Reserve is located along the Marapendi reservation. Surrounded by coastal vegetation and quite away from the city, the Reserve is one of the beaches that have the cleanest waters among all Rio de Janeiro beaches. However, because of the lack of public transportation, the beach is uncrowned.
What to do: The Reserve beach is ideal for those seeking a more peaceful place to escape the city chaos. Being very large and be away, the beach is almost always empty.
Tip: Although not get filled, some beach spots are tricky to find parking spot, especially on weekends. So the tip is to go early.
Recreio Beach
Like the Beach Reserve, the water of Recreio beach is one of the cleanest of all Rio de Janeiro beaches. Located in Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood, the beach has strong waves and is the point of Rio surfing, hosting many championships and television recordings. To complete the picture, the Recreio beach ends in a huge rock known as Pontal Stone, where it divides the Pontal beach. With calmer waters, the Pontal beach is characterized by having no division between the sidewalk and the buildings.
What to do: For the more adventurous, climb the Pontal Stone is an invitation. During low tide, you can walk to the stone and make a trail that leads up to the top, from where you have a magnificent view.
Tip: The best surfing peaks of the beach are at Station 10 and the Recreio Beach corner. So is the tip!
Pontal Beach / Macumba Beach
Popularly known as Macumba beach for being a place where adherents of Umbanda and Candomble religions make offerings to Yemanja, the Pontal beach extends from the Pontal stone to the Sernambetiba channel. Surfer’s paradise, the beach of Macumba is known as the Rio Hawaii because its water has the colors ranging from green and blue. In addition, the beach has thin and well white sand. The Macumba beach is one of the Rio de Janeiro beaches that has wave practically all year.
What to do: The Pontal beach is characterized by having no division between the sidewalk and the buildings. The good kiosk infrastructure and wooded boardwalk makes the walk for its bike path, be a very pleasant walk.
Tip: For those who prefer a less agitated sea, the beach next to the stone Pontal, the waters are calmer.
Phew! We reached the end. And I have not talked about all the Rio de Janeiro beaches. They were missing the most remote beaches in the city that are beautiful and practically virgin. But that is for another post. I told you that the Rio de Janeiro coast is very extensive and has many different beauties for all styles.
And now, you already know which beach is your favorite? What you will be visiting first? Leave your comment here. We would love to know what you think about this post, and even get help if you stayed with any questions. If you liked this article and think it can help some friend, be sure to share it.
To find out more about Rio de Janeiro and Brazil, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, we also give several tips there.
Comments