Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ipanema and Leblon Beachlife
Urban Rio's most beautiful, fashionable, and secure beaches - Ipanema
and its extension farther south, Leblon - offer a wealth of different beachside
activities, from sunbathing to keeping in shape. Most tourists make their
base at two of Rio's wealthiest neighborhoods located behind the beaches,
(also called Ipanema and Leblon), where chic boutiques and glamorous
restaurants line the narrow streets. Although the city center is 9 miles
(15 km) away, neighboring Copacabana, as well as the Jardim Botânico,
Corcovado, and Gávea, are easily accessible from here.
Top 10 Features
1 Postos
2 Beachwear
3 Cycling and Running Tracks
4 Beach Exercise
5 Cangas
6 Sand Sculptures
7 Beach Massage
8 Beach Volleyball and
Footvolley
9 Children's Play Areas
0 Beachside Cafés
!
Postos
A beachside café
Avoid visiting the
beach after dark.
Energy drinks can be
bought from juice
bars throughout
Ipanema and Leblon.
These concrete bunkers
on the beach are more than
lifeguard stations - social
status in Rio is reflected by
the location of your towel
on the beach. The closer
you are to the most fashion-
able position of all, near
Posto Nove (9) in Ipanema,
the higher your status.
• Ipanema: Map
M6-N6
• Leblon: Map L6
@
Beachwear
The essential Ipanema and Leblon beach kit
comprises a
tanga
and
canga
(bikini and sarong) and
sunglasses for women, and a
sunga
and
havaianas
(speedos and flip-flops) for men. You can buy these items
in the shops behind the beach
(see p54)
.
£
Cycling and
Running Tracks
For health-conscious
visitors looking for
more than sunbathing
and lounging on the
sand, there are 2-mile
(3.5-km) long cycling
and running tracks
(left)
along the entire length
of Ipanema and Leblon
beaches. The tracks tend
to be busiest in the
mornings and evenings.
26
There is good surf at Arpoador beach, which is between Ipanema
and Copacabana
See pp36-7.
