Five beaches you cannot leave Rio de Janeiro without visiting

One of the most remarkable aspects of flying your way into Rio is the extension and beauty of the jagged coastline in front of your eyes. Beaches may be short, long, wide stripes of sand, rougher sea or tranquil waters. There is almost one for every taste. So it is impossible to visit the city and ignore at least some of them. We prepared a list for you, indicating how to get there and what to expect.

5. ITACOATIARA 

The only beach in the list located outside Rio’s city limits. You have to cross Guanabara Bay (by car or by the public ferry boats) and get to neighbor city of Niteroi. From downtown it is still a thirty-minute-trip. But it pays the effort. A long and wide strip of white sand contrasts with a blueish sea. The usually rough waves are good for surfing. At one end, there is a rocky hill you can reach the top through an easy trail. On the other side the rocks serve as a wall to the waves, creating a small area for relaxing and taking the children.

4. GRUMARI

It’s in an environmental reservation at the western portion of Rio. The emerald-blue sea and the sandbank vegetation with clear sand make a beautiful scenary especially in sunny days. Waves range from 1 meter to 3 meter high, making it also a good place for surfing. Depending on the tides, the sea caves natural pools very inviting to relax. Being far from downtown, it is less crowded and the best way to get there is by car.

3. PRAIA DA JOATINGA

It stays between São Conrado and Barra da Tijuca. A small beach, only 300 meters (328 yards) long. It is one of the most secluded in town. The only way to get there requires crossing a private condo at Joa Road and taking a downhill trail on foot, which allows you breathtaking selfies and landscapes. But before deciding for the vist, check the tides table. When the waves are rougher, the place is not very appropriate unless your only objective is surfing.

2. ARPOADOR 

One of the most beautiful postcards of Rio planted between Copacabana and Ipanema neighborhoods. Sand is white and the seawater depending on the tides can vary from emerald to turquoise or simply transparent. Its urban location makes it very accessible by car, subway or bus if you are not in a walking distance. At the end of the day, couples and tourists go up Arpoador Rock to watch the sun go down behind the mountains. It’s so scenic that the crowds usually give a round of applause when it is finished.

1. COPACABANA

It’s credentials as the most famous beach in the world are impressive. Long, wide white sand, the horse-shoe shaped Little Princess of Sea is praised in song, poems and film. Depending on the day, it can have rougher waves or turning into a giant natural swimming pool. Easy access makes it really crowded on hot weekends when one of the runways of Atlantic Avenue is closed to traffic. Good for sports, sipping coconut water at one of the boardwalk kiosks or simply stretched on the sand enjoying the view.