Yelp Review 2025 #193: Between Copacabana, Botafogo and Ipanema - I still can't decide which neighborhood I like most. Each place has its own character and charm. I started my day on the beach in Copacabana and I took a leisurely walk to Ipanema which took under 45 minutes. What a pleasant walk that was. People watching, sightseeing and just enjoying a beautiful day by the beach. There's a reason why there are songs about Copacabana and Ipanema. They're both beautiful places and the Cariocas are very proud of them. Copacabana has more beach activities: volleyball, pickleball, futebol, surfing, swimming, and any water sport you can think of. Ipanema is more chill with people sunbathing, walking and playing with their dogs. In short, if you want less people and chill vibes, go to Ipanema. read more

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So in rio there are two big famous beaches One is Copacabana which is the main tourist beach and you see cariocas and vendors hustling And mainly for young folks or singles or partying This one is Ipanema which is next door and this is where all the locals come to and it's packed and more family oriented and relaxed It's a nice vibe read more

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Beautiful long beach in Rio -- surpassed all my expectations. Highlights: - Long stretch of beach - Wonderful vibe with all types of people enjoying themselves - Crowded but oddly doesn't feel cramped - Easy to rent chairs and an umbrella and they set it up for you - Companies you rent from even serve you drinks and snacks you order and come back and check on you often and refresh ice, etc. Even better than some resorts - Yummy caipirinhas - Vendors for souvenirs and other food all around. Easily accessible but they don't pester you - Soft sand - Beach kept super clean which was shocking for such a popular spot - Thought we'd only stay for an hour, but it was so wonderful we stayed the entire afternoon Lowlights: - Lots of people and watch your belongings as in Rio as a whole Loved my visit here to this iconic beach. read more

Beware the "Julio" flag area/section of this beach. Beautiful beach, but beware the shady people working the beach. We got triple charged x 5 for 3 beach chair and 3 drinks. Specifically by individuals that resembled us, and fully took advantage of us. There is no trusting them whatsoever if you aren't using their money, and they all work together seemingly. I was told it would be one price which was about $55 American dollars and the charge ended up being 331.88 American once my card was swiped. My brother is fluent in Portuguese and all of a sudden no one understood him after having understood him the previous 2 hrs. Love to support those in need, but sadly this is a warning not to trust these people out here with your card (they are frauds), only their cash. You tell them no thank you and they are aggressively in your face and keep going. This was not the experience at Copa Beach sadly. At Copa they were much more respectful and their process the norm/decent prices. I called my bank immediately after this happened and was told I needed to wait until it officially posted. What a horrible experience this was. I hope these crooks spent the money already because they are in for a rude awakening when my bank gets my money back and I don't give any "damns" about them on this beach officially. You just have to let some struggle because they will put struggle in you otherwise. It's unfortunate that people like this mess up business for others that see here & look like us, but it's a NO go for me. I've been here over a week and will only goto Copa now. Copa beach is getting all my business because of these bastards. read more

Praia de Ipanema - Me on the beach - Beaches Near Me - Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Beautiful beach. You don't have to bring a single thing. You can purchase everything there from a hot meal, snacks, beer, tattoos, get your hair braided, have a massage, play volleyball, cigarettes, weed, jewelry, souvenirs, people watch, take a dip in the ocean, and rent seats and umbrella shade as well. read more

Praia de Ipanema - Pria!!! Ipanema - Beaches Near Me - Rio de Janeiro, RJ

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This is a free public beach in Rio that is an essential visit! You can possibly have a bad time here. There are too many good things happening all at once! Vendors serve food and drinks on the beach and on the sidewalk nearby. Drinks are cheaper on the sidewalk but stronger on the beach. Occasionally on the beach you'll be offered drinks on a platter. Ignore those and go to a booth vendor. Police are present nearby on the street and sidewalks. It's a very safe and accepting place. Get a caipirinha and love life. Sunset is beautiful from this beach. read more

Praia de Ipanema - Beaches Near Me - Rio de Janeiro, RJ

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Gorgeous BEACH!! It was packed! Waters were warm. Everyone had a great time! Great views of islands in he back. You can purchase drinks along the beach. Alot of shops in the area too! read more

I like both Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach. When comparing the two, Ipanema is better because it is cleaner with less tourists. That is mainly because it is surrounded by a more residential area. However, despite it being more on the calm side, there are still plenty of restaurants and stores in this area as well. This is simply a great place to relax and enjoy the views. read more

Praia de Ipanema - Beaches Near Me - Rio de Janeiro, RJ

We have all heard the classic tune: The Girl from Ipanema. The beach is as famous as the song. It felt a little surreal to experience one of the most famous beaches in the world. My friend and I stopped by in the afternoon after grabbing lunch. Like pretty much every beach in Brazil, you have people selling all types of things: lawn chairs and umbrellas, drinks, food, clothes, knick-knacks, and more. The water is crystal blue. The backdrop is breathtaking. It's a little more chill than Copacabana. Scenic views, in more ways than one. read more

Top beach in Rio de Janeiro! Close to Lebanon and amazing restaurants within walking distances, better food options than Copacabana. read more

Praia de Ipanema - Beaches Near Me - Rio de Janeiro, RJ

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Our favorite beach! We recommend and get a seat and just enjoy! So enjoyable and safe read more

Unlike its neighbor, Copacabana Beach, Ipanema is smaller in terms of land size but packs in a lot more bodies on the sand. The most interesting area for me was the rocky peninsula of Pedra do Arpoador at the east end of the beach which separates Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. It's a spacious, mostly flat area that jets out so it's great for selfies, meditation, or picturesque views of the coastline. The surf was pounding on this particular day so the view of the coast was marred by salt air, though the Two Brothers Mountain in the distance was still slightly visible. The life guarded beach is bordered by a wide sidewalk, a 2-lane bike path, then a busy 4-lane road. Like Ipanema, there are food and beverage options along the way. Chair/umbrella vendors will shout and solicit you to no end when walking by. Finding shade is nil. While we didn't do any beach activities, we did dine at nearby Garota de Ipanema (reviewed separately). To be honest, I never heard of the place before but my spouse was familiar with it. There are lots of shops and eateries nearby. OVERALL: World renowned name, lively and energetic vibes. read more

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The beach was much more chilled and vacant given that it was getting closer to their winter season. It wasn't so pleasant to see many emoji piles of human or animal feces all around the beaches. I would hope someone would take some care in the beach during the summer season, but it was clearly left unchecked in the cooler months. I can still imagine the hoards of people that would frequent the beaches during the summer and warmer seasons. V-ball nets, lots of cabin for whatever rental to play in the water. Do stop by as the sun sets, you will see some beautiful hues of colors before it goes dark. read more

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Ambiance: 8.5 out of 10; Price: $ out of $$$$ (food vendors). Loved it here. Food was great. Less crowded than copacabana and more accessible to more affordable food shops. Lots of beach vendors to cater to your every need. Safe space for people of color. read more

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Like Copacabana, I love Ipanema and dare not find a fault with it because it is one of my favorite city beaches. Pros: a lot more attractive people watching opportunity as compared to Copacabana. More locals frequent here. This beach has a more aesthetically pleasing setting than Copacabana and you should stay or come back to view the sunset. There is a Anthony Bourdain approved sandwich place here near Posto 9 (I have not tried it so I cannot vouch for it). I promised myself that I would eat my first bowl of acai at Ipanema beach and it did not disappoint but it was a bit expensive, as told by my friend who bought it for R$6 and I for R$10 (no regrets). I also bought a kanga (Brazilian alternative to a beach cloth to lay on and so much better) and added to my growing collection. Cons: not many. Except again be careful and don't bring valuables to the beach and if you do, keep it close. Enjoy the Rio experience and dabble in the many activities it's beaches offer or just lay like a lazy seal like I did and bum out. read more

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It's been said that if you sit in one place long enough the whole world will pass you by. Whoever said that must've spent a day under an umbrella at Posto 9 on Ipanema Beach. Posto 9 is notorious for being the part of Ipanema Beach which attracts the most gorgeous people in Rio. Anthony Bourdain described it as a place to ogle women you'll never sleep with. I have dental floss wider than the fabric on most bikinis worn here. My son put in a whiplash claim simply from sitting on the sand, cocking his head around so as not to miss yet another finely tanned bum. But the things that pass you by here aren't only exquisite human specimens. That'd be overly simple. The things that are for sale will make you giggle and laugh aloud. On day 3 here I began a numbered list and here's a sampling of some of the 30+ items I recorded, all which walked by me, for sale, as I sat there, mere steps away from the sea.: * Hammocks * Inflatable swimming pools * Cheese, grilled to order on a portable hibachi * Acai cups (the best you've ever had) * Linen tablecloths * Super-sized Caipirinhas presented on a tray (R$20 - under $6; enough to keep you drunk well into your evening). This review has sat in my draft file for 8 months now, ever since my December 2015 trip to Brazil. With the Olympics airing from Rio and all of the bad press the place has received it's a joy to be able to rain down raves on this pristine locale. Ipanema Beach is clean: The sand is clean; the water is clean. My family and I swam there every day of our visit without incident. Sure, you'll want to leave the beach before dark and not arrive with any valuables but I'd recommend that in most any foreign city. SF Chronicle sports columnist, Ann Killion, recently wrote a post from Rio exclaiming how perfect the beach volleyball competition setting was; the outdoor arena is situated on the sand at neighboring Copacabana Beach. But you don't need to wait until the Olympics to experience this. Foot-volley and beach volleyball are de rigeur all day long on Ipanema Beach and those who play look not unlike Olympians. I usually don't post a review 8 months after visiting a place but the Olympics has caused me to pull this one from the files and send it out to the world. If you miss a visit to Ipanema Beach you're missing something uniquely wonderful. That's the story the Olympic reporters are missing. read more

Beautiful beach with clean sand, what else do I need? This beach is beautiful and has warm water. There are some food stands spread out along the boardwalk, serving up quick bites and fresh coconuts. I also enjoyed running on the beach as there is tons of space. If you don't like running on the sand, they have dedicated running/bike lanes (protected from traffic), which is a nice touch. You can do close to 5k one way between Leblon and the end of Ipanema. Enjoy the sun and people watching, this is a great beach! read more

Praia de Ipanema - Beaches Near Me - Rio de Janeiro, RJ

This beach is maintained a lot better than Copacobana. I recommend visiting this beach during the weekdays to avoid crowds.

This beach is amazing to watch in the morning and evening hours. While studying abroad, I lived a few blocks away from the beach, and it was super nice to have a beach that near to where I was living. read more

The best beach in the entire world that's within a major city, period, end of story. My condolences to Miami, LA, San Diego, Sydney, and, sadly, Carlsbad... Ipanema in Rio owns you all. Allow me to plan your ideal day there: Show up with a pocketful of small bills and your swimshorts (or bikini, for this applies to everyone). Proceed to Posto 9 and head to the water. Grab some chairs and an umbrella from Barraca do Uruguai, and since you're at Barraca do Uruguai, grab a bbq chicken sandwich as well (and not just because Anthony Bourdain even recommended you do that). You brought nothing with you, right? Wise to travel lightly. Beer situation solved by the guys selling them from coolers at about US$1 apiece. Sunscreen vendor, sunglasses vendor, sarong vendor, t-shirt vendor, flip-flop vendor, etc. can get you anything else you might physically need. Sun, clean white sand, a relatively clean and relatively warm ocean, and all around you, some of the best, if not simply best-looking, people in the world will make you a happy human. Leblon, to your right, is kind of sterile and boring. Copacabana, around the corner to your left, is grittier. Ipanema is just right, and right where I need to be just about any 'ol day. read more

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When I die, I want some of my ashes sprinkled here. It would be awesome to physically become a part of this incredible location. Although this review is for the beach, I feel that I must impart my feelings for the neighborhood into this as well. What an iconic part of Rio. To know Ipanema is to know Rio. I understand that most people think of Copacabana when they think of this city, but for those of us who grew up here in the 70's and 80's, Ipanema was where it was at. These are the sidewalks where Vinicius de Moraes and friends would get hammered and write eloquent songs about people-watching, about the unmeasurable pleasures a person could have just from sitting on these sands, breathing in the sea breeze, and enjoying the views of the "Cidade Maravilhosa." What I like about Ipanema is that it has typically not taken itself too seriously (like Copacabana and Leblon) and just focuses on the fun life that happens when a super urban environment clashes with the awesomeness of the beach. I would agree wholeheartedly with Erik S., who has written an amazing review of this place, when he mentions that this beach kicks all others' butts in the competition for best urban beach... Great food abounds on the beach (with a little GI risk... but overall safe) and along the side streets and Ataulfo de Paiva (see my review for Clipper... it's awesome - get the Baurú sandwich and a Chopp), where you can get any kind of refreshment you'd like. There are sidewalk artists and musicians, and a whole slew of people to watch while you meander through this Paradise. Ah yes, if I won the lottery, I would definitely have to get a small apartment here. So, come here and enjoy! Grab a beach chair and just waste away your day, or not - go jogging or bike riding along the calçadão, whatever you like! That's the whole point of Ipanema; enjoy! read more

Gorgeous beach. Great sunsets. Great for people watching. Area a bit more upscale than neighboring Copacabana beach. read more

Praia de Ipanema - Beauty in evening light - Beaches Near Me - Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Beautiful Beach, but just that, a beach. I tend to give really realistic reviews, so I won't change it up for this. The beach is really pretty and of course being on the ocean is nice, however, it is only a beach. A very crowded one at that. Bring comfortable walking shoes and avoid the street food vendors. They don't always wash their hands and you're not meant to drink tap water in Brasil which they often use to wash the fruit for the drinks. read more

If you like looking at butts, then Ipanema beach is the place to go. Tons of beautiful women, lots of clean sand and plenty of room to catch some rays. In terms of neighborhoods, Ipanema is a class above both neighboring Copacabana (too touristy) and Leblon (too isolated). Ipanema is also in the middle of both, so you can walk to the other beaches if you want. They close down half of Atlantic Avenue on weekends and make it a pedestrian walkway. There are also dedicated bike lanes, which is nice (but make sure to look both ways before crossing!). You can rent a towel or beach cot. You can catch a pickup game of football/volleyball. You can buy a R$4 or $5 coconut to drink. You can watch some very talented slackline performers. Or, you can just look at butts. read more

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Olha, que coisa mais linda, Mais cheia de graça, É ela, menina, que vem e que passa, Num doce balanço, a caminho do mar. Moça do corpo dourado..... OK that's the extent of my 3 finger Bossa Nova Brazilian... As famous as the neighborhood, Ipanema Beach is a fav hang-out for locals and tourists. Lots of recreational options, and in my opinion, far safer than Copa Cabana, it is not surprising to find this place packed at any given time of the year. Come down to surf , play volleyball, play volleyball-like-soccer and taste some cachaça--a traditional Brazilian drink. It's hip, youthful (except for me)....close to my hotel, there are lots of adjectives used to describe this beach. ...plethora of eateries, shops and flea markets that add up to the long list of reasons that make this place a must-visit.... ... Ah, se ela soubesse Que quando ela passa, O mundo sorrindo Se enche de graça E fica mais lindo Por causa do amor.... read more

Praia de Ipanema - Beaches Near Me - Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Compared to Copacabana, this beach is a little more chill. You have old dive bars hidden away in this area, but you can definitely tell that it's a huge tourist area. There's the famous hippie fair on Sundays and an overall good beach for food, drinks, and shopping. Also great for people watching. read more

The stuff of legends. For eight years I lived by the 'beach.' I thought the North Avenue Beach in Chicago, on the banks of Lake Michigan was the real deal. How Midwestern of me. Often, friends of mine from the coasts would scoff at my insistence that I lived beach-side. Granted, in the summer, the beach is packed with people and during the fall/winter, venturing by the water is extremely dramatic/romantic. But, it's not really a beach. I loved to Miami Beach and thought, "Wow! Now, *this* is a beach. I get it." And, it is. With the Atlantic at our doorstep and travelers from throughout the world all over the place, I finally felt a sense as to what people were talking about when mentioning a world-class beach. And, again, it is. But, it's not Ipanema. After a LONG airplane ride through a hurricane that resulted in me not having my luggage and testing out my Portuguese skills of braying 'No me gustas' all over the city, I ventured to Ipanema in my unwashed, unshaven transit outfit... and fell in love. It's gorgeous. With views of mountains, sand and water as far as the eye can see, there's little wonder why this beach inspires song, lovers and visitors from around the world. Depending on which number you're at ( posts 8-11 were the busiest I experienced), you may encounter, families, athletes, artists, hard bodies, not-so-hard bodies, vendors of all kinds, surfers, and breath-taking views. Walk the length of the street to end up on the rock formations and gaze out upon the view in its entirety. Come on a Friday to get a quieter sense of the beach. Come on the weekend to see it in full swing. The street's shut down, so walk where you like but I suggest getting in the water. Ladies, brave that thong. Fellas, wear the square cuts or you'll look like a tourist. Yes, there are plenty of bodies that will shame you into months of diet and obsessive workouts but there are also plenty of bodies who haven't seen the inside of a gym in years -- and they don't care so neither should you. That's one thing this American marveled at -- the body-conscious sh!tshow that is South Beach was no where to be found. It was freeing (for others, of course; I have the body of an adonis... it's in the trunk of my car). Be it solo or with a group, come to Ipanema and experience it for yourself. But... there are no 'but's'... well, at least those with only one 't.' read more

I grew up in Barra Beach...which even today with all the traffic jam is sometimes slow and deserted. I don't like peace and quiet when I'm in Rio! Ipanema is where the tourists and locals mix. Not just a tourist point. The best part is watching the beautiful local people practically integrate pretty much all of their daily life (breakfast, lunch, study, work out, dating, dinner etc...) in the beach and at the same time watch the tourists taking loads of pictures and getting rescued by the lifeguards from the rip currents :) all kinds of (mostly beautiful) people and fun things to do and yummy things to eat 24/7 (since the beach is lit up at night) you will find here in Ipanema beach! Enjoy! read more

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Words cannot do justice to the beauty that is Ipanema beach. In my opinion Praia de Ipanema is way better than its neighboring Copacabana, albeit more famous by name. Not only is it cleaner, but there are so many nice spots to choose from to get your tan on, people watch, or go for a swim. Remember location is key so most locals are already set on what Posto they like going to. Even if you came empty handed you'll find someone renting out beach chairs, selling suntan Brazilian suntan oil or even a nice refreshing drink. Ipanema I can't wait to go back and enjoy your clean sand and warm ocean water! read more

Celebrating NYE here is just unparalleled! Standing amidst the crowds of people staring up at the sky, waiting for the show of fireworks. It's like being in space, the expansive universe of star systems, with the sky lit up. It's just such a beautiful sight, epic! read more

I had a blast on Ipanema Beach last week! I bought bracelets, a hammock, coconuts, umbrellas, and drinks from the many vendor people walking around selling their goods. The water is clear blue and clean. The people are in speedos and thongs, bodysurfing or tanning or jogging. You can walk 10 minutes east to Copacabana or west to Leblon, though I think Ipanema is the best of all of them. Also randomly met a fun group of Californians and hung out with them in the nightlife of Copacabana after a full day at the beach. Wish I could spend all day everyday here. read more

Ipanema Beach was the favorite of the group. The beach is so clean and the water so clear. After shopping at the Hippie Fair and dining at Bar Astor it was time to relax at the beach. We laid out on our sarongs and turned on the trap music. Lucas set up shop nearby and served us some of the best caipirinhas ever! I want to say he sold them for 12 RS or maybe it was 2 for 20 RS. The beach was so chill and the water was so cold. read more

Praia de Ipanema - Beaches Near Me - Rio de Janeiro, RJ

We stayed near the intersection of Copacabana and Ipanema and decided to head to Ipanema for our beach day. The water was beautiful and warm but people were packed like sardines as far as the eye could see. We paid R$55 for 2 umbrellas and 5 beach chairs and relaxed for 3 hours. There was excellent people watching. Vendors walked by periodically to sell sandwiches, acai, caipirinhas, and prawn skewers at reasonable prices. Nearby there were also vendor stalls selling different types of snacks and beach clothing. read more

So many great vendors along the beach, from bikinis, coconuts, local hand mad jewelry, to Caipirinhas. Beautiful sunset views read more

Praia de Ipanema - Beaches Near Me - Rio de Janeiro, RJ

The best beach in Rio. Great vibe and atmosphere on there. Ipanema Beach is famous for its beautiful and sexy girls. A must see. read more

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This is, without any doubt, the BEST beach I've ever been to. VERY CLEAN, stunning! It's not only the beautiful light green water, the beautiful blue sky, and the fluffy sand. It's the people, the energy, the most amazing atmosphere ever. The vendors were nice, friendly, funny. I was able to rent a beach chair from Carlinhos all day for 5 reais, less than $2. And when I was leaving, I brought him the chair back and he was very upset because, according to him, it was his job to help me with the chair and if I wanted to return later to the beach, I could use the same chair for free. That's Rio de Janeiro. People are so nice. There is a laid back, stress free life style that cariocas have, that is so unique to them. You have to visit Ipanema before you die. Best beach culture in the world. It's family friendly and gay friendly and fat friendly and super model celebrity friendly and black, white, green, red, blue friendly, pet friendly. I can't wait to return. read more

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Gorgeous beach with really soft and clean sand. Peddlers seeking food to drinks to scarves to trinkets are constantly roaming along the beach. There's a lot to do beside bathe -- people are surfing, playing volleyball/kickball/football, swimming, picnicking, etc... There's a lot of great energy on this beach and it's especially beautiful during the evening/night when you can see the lights of the hills. read more

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Ipanema is a clean beautiful sandy beach located adjacent to Copacabana and Leblon Beach. The development along Ipanema is more elegant and not as commercialized as Copacabana. It is no wonder this gorgeous beach has inspired song writers. The beach seems less touristy, more low-keyed, and has a more local flavor. The beach is crowded with both surfers and sun-worshippers. The sunset is gorgeous on Ipanema. Savor a fresh cold coconut water or a cocktail from vendors walking on the beach. On Sundays visit the Hippie Fair in Ipanema for Brazilian arts and crafts. Go to visit.rio for great scoop and information on Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy! read more

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One of my favorites, I lack words to speak of Ipanema. If it was already, go back. If you've never been to go. Ipanema is Ipanema!

Ipanema is an awesome beach with lots of street vendors selling all sorts of food & drinks. This is a great place to relax, grab a drink and enjoy the beach life. read more

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