Beaches

With over 4,700 miles of coastline and nearly year-round sunshine, Brazil is a beach-lover's paradise. We've listed some of the best beaches below. Whether you're seeking a relaxing getaway, fun nightlife, unforgettable swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving, exciting cultural activities, or simply a great tan, a beach vacation in Brazil has something for everyone.

Rio de Janeiro

Home to world-famous Copacabana, perhaps the most beautiful urban beach in the world, Rio offers sun worshippers a bevy of other beaches to choose from as well. Getting to Rio and finding a place to stay is almost never a problem, as flights and accommodations are plentiful (but you'll need to plan ahead if you're visiting around New Year's or Carnival, when Rio welcomes millions of revelers).

Copacabana beach

Highlights:

• You could spend your entire vacation enjoying the white sandy beaches of Copacabana. Over two miles long, Copacabana offers great swimming, even better people watching, and fantastic nightlife.
• Ipanema is the trendy alternative to Copacabana. This is the birthplace of the tanga-tiny bikinis which first became popular in the 1980s. Bronze your skin to perfection while you play a game of "futevolei," or foot volley ball. There's even a section of the beach for mothers and children.

Rio's other delightful beaches include:

• Arpoador
• Leblon
• São Conrado
• Barra da Tijuca
• Recreio dos Bandeirantes
• Grumari

Getting to know the beaches in Rio

Each beach in Rio has its own character, and although beaches are often considered a plural, democratic space, there are still some informal (and not too strict) "social area" divisions.

Copacabana attracts mainly tourists (foreign and Brazilian) and working class bathers from the city. Be aware--prostitution is also widespread there, even in daylight.

Ipanema is the major beach for middle-class Brazilians. The area around Posto 9 (lifeguard watchtower number 9) is the preferred gathering point for left-wing intellectuals, artists, journalists and similar beach-goers. You can easily bump into a politician or someone famous there.

Ipanema beach

Lablon beach is right next to Ipanema, just as classy but quieter, making it a good place for families wanting to relax. There's also a large playground for children.

Ipanema and Leblon beaches

The wealthy suburb of Barra da Tijuca has one of the nicest beaches in Rio, with numerous upscale malls, restaurants and nightclubs. Many foreign retirees seeking the good life call Barra home. While you won't find the same degree of cultural opportunities as you would at other beaches, the beach itself is delightful and well worth a visit.

Visiting the beaches

Residents--and tourists in the know--go to the beach with their swimsuits on, under shorts and T-shirts or even wearing only the suit, which is normal. You will see people in speedos and bikini walking on the streets or in the bus. There are no "cabins" nor lockers for changing clothes in the beach, except a few at Copacabana in some new and clean public restrooms (located like a subway station under the famous boardwalk). If you don't go with your swimsuit on, use a towel to cover yourself while changing. Women should not remove their bras in public. While microscopic bikinis are celebrated, public nudity is not.

Commerce is the norm on Rio's beaches, with thousands of walking vendors selling everything from sun glasses to fried shrimp to cooling beverages (try mate com limão, a local ice tea mixed with lemonade). For food, there is also empada (baked flour pastry filled with meat or cheese) and sanduíche natural (cool sandwich with vegetables and mayo). Vendors typically shout out loud what they're selling, but they won't usually bother you unless you call them. If you're looking for a restaurant after your swim, you'll be able to satisfy almost any craving in the city.

Eager to try some surfing in Rio? Waves in Rio vary from tiny and calm at the Guanabara Bay beaches (Paquetá, Ramos, Flamengo, Botafogo, Urca) to high, surf-ideal waves in Recreio and San Conrado. In Leme, Copacabana, Arpoador, Ipanema, and Leblon, there's a popular way of "riding" the waves called pegar jacaré (pe-GAHR zha-kah-REH; literally, "to grab an alligator"). You wait for the wave to come behind you then swim on top of it until it crumbles next to the sand.

Staying safe on Rio's beaches:

• Don't leave any belongings on the beach and expect them to be there when you get out of the water.
• Don't stroll on the beach at night.
• Riptides, large waves and sudden drop-offs can make swimming treacherous. Don't go out too far, and keep an eye on children.

Sunset at Arpoador beach

More Great Beaches in Brazil

If you're not going to Rio but still want a great beach experience, Brazil gives you plenty of options.

Northeast Brazil

• Jericoacoara Beach, Ceará State. The main attraction at this remote beach, located about 250 miles west of Fortaleza, are the spectacular sunsets, which you can see by climbing the "Por-do-Sol" sand dune.
• Salvador, Bahia State. Salvador is the capital of the state of Bahia. With a charming Old Town (a World Heritage Site), a vibrant musical scene and popular Carnival celebrations, it is considered one of the birthplaces of Brazilian culture. Delightful beaches are found near the city.
• Praia do Forte, Bahia State. This old fishing village, 37 miles north of Salvador, is situated on an eight-mile stretch of beautiful sandy beaches adjoining lush jungle. Those same beaches are key nesting areas for hawksbill and loggerhead sea turtles, and efforts to save the turtles are centered in Praia do Forte. Brazil's first eco-friendly resort, Praia do Forte EcoResort, offers tourists an extra level of comfort.
• Ilha de Tinharé, Bahia State. An island about three hours by boat from Salvador, Ilha de Tinharé has gorgeous beaches, particularly around the village of Morro de São Paulo. Ilha de Tinharé has no roads, adding to its laid-back appeal, although it can get crowded during high season (December to March).

Beach in Bahia State

Southern Brazil

• Buzios. Twenty-two excellent beaches await you at this former fishing village, 70 miles northeast of Rio. Brigitte Bardot was a regular in the 1960s--once you're there, you'll see why.



The beach at Buzios

• Angra dos Reis, Costa Verde (Green Coast): A remote fishing village on the way to Sao Paolo, Angra dos Reis has both beautiful beaches and virgin rainforest for tourists to enjoy.
• Ilhabela: Ilhabela means "beautiful island," and it's no mystery how it got its name. Not only are there more than 20 miles of pristine beaches, Ilhabela is also home to a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, impressive, jungle-clad mountains, and over 400 waterfalls. It's not easy to get to, but no one regrets the journey.



Ilhabela--Saco da Capela beach

• Santos Beach Gardens: Forty-five miles from Sao Paolo, this charming beach garden, at four miles long, may be the world's longest garden. An added attraction is nearby Sao Vicente, the oldest town in Brazil.
• Florianópolis: Nicknamed Floripa, this city is the capital of the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. Half of the city is located on the mainland of Brazil while the other half is on Santa Catarina Island. Praia Mole, on Santa Catarina Island, is one of the most popular beaches and boasts fine white sand and a fun, diverse crowd. In addition to its strong German and Italian heritage, Florianópolis is a popular destination for tourists from throughout South America.

Armação Beach at Florianópolis

Source: Wikipedia, licensed under the GFDL

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