Copacabana Beach

The bend of Copacabana is one of the more famous beaches in the world. It got famous back in the 1920´s when Hollywood stars came to stay at the luxury hotel Copacabana Palace. Bikinis, samba, green hills and blue waters all became synonymous with the name. But what is it like today?

It is still a very beautiful place but the former atmosphere of glamor is gone. In its place a quite touristy feeling of decadence. Scoundrels and working girls are common, the tourist buses many and the rate of pink bellies higher than nowhere else in Rio de Janeiro. Nothing that is hip or cool takes place here.

Even though the glamor is gone Copacabana still has a lot to offer. To wake up early, go down for a run and drink a coconut water is a really great way to start the day. In the morning thousands of people exercise along the beach. It is like the sins form the night before all are burnt away by the clear morning sun. If you are into sports there are volley nets, exercise racks and football goals all along the beach.

Nighttime is when the uglier parts of Copacabana comes through. Prostitutes and scoundrels line the beach avenue Avenida Atlântica. After dark is also very beautiful, the almost perfect crescent lit up is a great setting for a Caipirinha. If you can avoid to get hassled it is actually quite a spectacle to see the various characters that pass by, a good trick is to take a table in the back.

On the southern end of the beach you have Forte da Copacabana (En: The Fort of Copacabana) which is well worth a visit. For a small fee you get access to this beautiful area. You are offered some great views and the café Confeitaria Colombo is top notch. There is also a military museum that you can visit, it is already included in the ticket.

Once a year millions of people gather in th sand to celebrate the coming of a new year. To experience Reveillon on Copacabana Beach is very special. Aside from great fireworks, the peaceful emotion of that big crowd leaves few untouched.

Almost annually you have huge free concerts that attracts big crowds. Events like beach volley, beach football and open water swimming all take place here. It is a place where you should keep your eyes peeled because there is almost always something going on.

There is one thing that Copacabana Beach can offer that is hard to find anywhere else in Rio de Janeiro. The northern part of the beach is called Leme, it is just an extension of Copacabana. Here the ocean is quite calm and currents absent so its a good place for families. Actually the whole atmosphere on this end is really relaxed and lack many of the unpleasant elements you have on other parts.

Boa Praia!

Gringo-Rio Copacabana Beach
This is the page about Copacabana Beach on the Rio de Janeiro travel site Gringo-Rio.