Praia de Copacabana
Copacabana Beach
"The world's most famous beach. A 4km crescent of sand with the iconic black-and-white wave mosaic sidewalk. Packed with tourists, beach vendors, football games, and people-watching."
Logistics
Free
Vibe
Iconic and touristy
Duration
Half-day minimum
Best For
Beach culture
The Backstory
Named after a Bolivian village with a famous Virgin Mary shrine. Became Rio's tourism hub in the 1920s-30s. The wave mosaic sidewalk was designed by Burle Marx in the 1970s.
Local Secret
"Each 'posto' (lifeguard station) has a different vibe. Posto 4 near the Copacabana Palace is calmer. Posto 6 is where locals hang out. Bring minimal valuables—theft is common."