Today I want to bring you my guide to Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is one of the world’s best beaches, and it’s famous for good reason.

Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is called the Marvelous City. The name is appropriate for a land that switches seamlessly between urban chaos, golden beaches, and forest green mountains.

In all my travels I’ve never seen a city with such geographic diversity, and when I arrived in Brazil I wanted to explore each facet of marvelousness thoroughly. As such, I started with a day on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro.

Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Pestana Rio Atlantica Hotel

I came to Copacabana Beach late at night after a 12-hour flight from London. Bleary eyed and jet lagged, I took a taxi to my hotel, the Pestana Rio Atlantica.

The hotel had generously offered me a huge room with expansive views over Copacabana Beach for the night. Tired as I was, I couldn’t resist peeking out the window to see the golden sand in the moonlight.

Guest room at the Pestana Rio Atlantica Hotel on Copacabana Beach

The next morning I woke up and went straight out onto the balcony to get a better look at the beach.

The stretch of sand went all up and down the coast, flanked on one side by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean and on the other by a cluster of high-rise hotels.

In the distance were Rio’s iconic mountains, which stuck up out of the landscape like so many green thumbs.

View of Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro

Walk on Copacabana Beach

I took my time getting ready for the day, enjoying the breakfast buffet in the lobby restaurant before heading out to take a walk along the beach.

There was a promenade that ran the length of the sand, complete with a wave pattern on the ground. It was full of small restaurants and cafes, and lined with sculptural sandcastles.

Promenade next to Copacabana Beach, Brazil

I spent most of the day strolling up and down Copacabana Beach, sometimes on the promenade and sometimes next to the waves.

Throughout the day I stopped to drink fresh coconut water straight from the source, have a pizza for lunch at one of the many small restaurants along the sand, and peruse a market selling all kinds of touristy kitsch.

Promenade next to Copacabana Beach, Brazil

Copacabana Palace Hotel

In the middle of the afternoon I checked out of my accommodation and checked into my next hotel on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro: the Belmond Copacabana Palace.

A historic hotel built for Brazil’s centenary, the Copacabana Palace dates back to 1923 and is one of the few buildings on the beach from its era.

Copacabana Palace Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

My room was large and decorated in pinks and whites with tropical green accents. It made me feel like I was back in Bermuda.

After I got situated, I headed down to the large swimming pool and found the most heavily shaded lounge chair under which I could park my already sunburned skin.

Swimming pool at the Copacabana Palace Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Copacabana Beach Highlights

An hour later I was itching to get back to Copacabana Beach. I took another walk, had another coconut, and made my way down to the southern end of the sand.

I checked out the fort that was located there, then walked up the promenade as street vendors were setting out colorful sarongs, tank tops, gloves, sunglasses, and other goods to sell to the passing crowds.

Flip flops for sale on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro

Dinner on Copacabana Beach

Later in the evening I returned to Copacabana Beach again to watch the many soccer games taking place on the sand while having dinner at one of the restaurants.

The tabouleh dish I ordered was surprisingly good, and I soaked up the last few rays of sun before my day at the beach came to an end.

Dinner on Copacabana Beach

Copacabana Beach, Brazil

Exploring Copacabana Beach was my first step in verifying Rio de Janeiro’s reputation as the Marvelous City. The beach most definitely impressed me and proved that at least one part of the city lived up to its nickname.

But I still needed to see the urban areas, green spaces, and other beaches in Rio de Janeiro. Thankfully I had two more days to let one of Brazil’s most famous cities marvel me more. In the meantime, I was off to Salvador

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Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

6 Comments on Lady’s Guide to Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  1. Sounds like you had a lot of fun in Rio! I made a video about Confeitaria Colombo, a super elegant and delicious pastry in downtown Rio, were you there?

    • Thanks Giovana. I did go to Confeitaria Colombo. If you read the post, you will see a photo of it, too.

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