Beaches
Rio's Beaches, From Famous to Forgotten
Copacabana for the postcard, Ipanema for the sunset, Leblon for the calm and Prainha for the day you decide to drive west.
Copacabana
Long, busy and unmistakable. Posto 5 is the calmer end. Watch the wave-pattern sidewalk meet the bay.
Ipanema
Cleaner sand, better people-watching and the city's best sunset. Posto 9 for the scene, Posto 8 for quiet.
Prainha & Grumari
An hour west and a different country. Forest hills, stronger surf and almost no buildings.
Guides on this topic
All guides →Beaches
Ipanema or Copacabana: Which Beach Should You Base Yourself On
Two famous stretches of sand, two very different days. A clear-eyed comparison of the kiosks, crowds, sunsets and stay options.
April 15, 2026Read more →
Neighborhoods
Santa Teresa: The Hillside Neighborhood Worth Slowing Down For
Yellow trams, jacaranda streets and a creative crowd that has held its ground. How to spend a day in Santa Teresa without rushing.
March 18, 2026Read more →
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