Walking the Beaches of Rio de Janeiro
Taking Uber around Rio de Janeiro is the best way to get around, and incredibly cheap. So we hop in our Uber and head to the infamous Ipanema Beach, not really knowing what to expect from these fame sun-drenched sands.
Bodies and umbrellas, as far as our eyes could see. Beach vendors selling shrimp kabobs, cotton candy, ears of corn, bathing suits, and our favorite – coco gelado (chilled whole coconut with the top chopped off and a straw stuck in the top for slurping out the water inside).
We started our walk at Praia (Beach) de Leblon, strolled down Ipanema, crossed over to Copacabana where we SUP’d because it’s much calmer, and finished in Praia do Leme – making a 4 mile roundtrip walk, and slurping 6 coco gelado’s along the way.
Praia do Leblon
One of the only spots you can really get a good surf in Rio proper, the slopes of Morro Dois Irmãos guarantee waves. Leblon Beach continues into Ipanema Beach, and you can hardly tell where one ends and another begins. Leblon is a bit less crowded typically, with less people walking down to that end coming from Ipanema.
Praia de Ipanema
One of the busiest in the city, this 2km stretch of beach has waves that are best to splash around in casually, skimboard, or maybe boogie board on a stronger surf day. Football (soccer) is everywhere on Ipanema beach, along with volleyball, “futevôlei” (foot-volleyball, a bit more complicated), and “frescobol” (wooden tennis rackets without the nets and a ball).
Ipanema has more locals than tourists, making for some spectacular people watching. The beach is so big and so dense with people that they’ve sectioned it off into different posts marked by a number, making it easier to find your friends and family.
The beach has been segmented into sections called a postos, marked by a number and the name of the proprietor. If you plan to rent a chair and umbrella from one of the post vendors, you’ll have to get comfortable with other people in your personal bubble! But, it’s all part of the experience.
Praia de Copacabana
Copacabana is a 2.5 mile long stretch of beach in Rio de Janeiro, and one of it’s most famous. The water is calm and clear, and it’s a solid spot to watch the sunset. This beach has a blend of locals and tourists. There are many food kiosks to choose from if you need a bite by the beach, and they usually have live music. As of December 2018, there are multiple options for commuting along the boardwalk via electric scooter.
Praia do Leme
Leme does not have a defined border from Copacabana Beach. So, it’s typically considered as an extension of it’s neighbor. This little stretch of beach does cater more to the residents of it’s upper-class district.