Copacabana Beach

Perhaps the world’s most famous length of coastline, Copacabana Beach lies to the south of central Rio de Janeiro. Lined with the restaurants, bars, shops, and high-rise homes of Avenida Atlantica’s wavy black and white paving, Copacabana Beach continues on for no less than four kilometres of sun-drenched sands.

The beach is demarked by historic forts at either end, with individual sections of its wide soft sands delineated by its lifeguard stations and proximity to well-known points.

A hive of activity right through the day, beach vendors wander around the sunbathers selling drinks and snacks. Visitors will find the area around the the Stock Market utilised by Rio’s LGBT+ community, while its footballers tend to play their games around Rua Santa Clara. A slightly quieter experience of Copacabana Beach can be had by heading towards the Leme area at the eastern end.

As well as lifeguards, Copacabana is also patrolled by police, though its curving sands are still considered risky after dark. The exception to this rule is New Year’s Eve, when the beach hosts one of the largest celebrations in the world, welcoming up to two million partygoers.

The rest of the year visitors are able to enjoy Copacabana Beach’s near-constant sun and warm shallow entrance into the Atlantic Ocean, in addition to the stunning views of the tropical offshore islands that are to be had.