Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left
Sunset view from Charitas beach
Right
View of the Sugar Loaf from Flamengo beach
Beaches
!
Ipanema and Leblon
$
Grumari
These two contiguous
neighborhoods have the
cleanest, safest, and most
beautiful beaches in the city, and
are the favorite playgrounds of
Rio de Janeiro's upper-middle
class
(see pp26-7
).
@
Copacabana
Surfers head to this beach at
Rio's southern end beyond Barra
da Tijuca. The clean waters here
are also the coolest in the city.
There is a powerful undertow,
however, which makes it
unsuitable for children.
d
Map A6
%
São Conrado
From the 1930s to the 1970s
this fine, broad beach was the
trendy place to lay a towel in the
city. Since the 1980s, it has
grown a little tawdry, especially
at night. Sunbathing is best in
front of the Copacabana Palace
hotel
(see pp24-5)
.
£
Charitas
This beach, which is a
landing point for hang gliders,
is popular with local television
celebrities, many of whom have
expensive apartments in the
fortified tower blocks that are
sandwiched between the sea
and the city's largest
favela
,
Rocinha
(see p74).
d
Map B6
^
Barra da Tijuca
Cariocas are fond of saying
that the best thing about Niterói
- the city across Guanabara Bay
- is its views of Rio. None are
better than those from Charitas
beach in the afternoon, when
Corcovado and the Sugar Loaf
are silhouetted against the
setting sun.
d
Map C5
Rio's largest beach is 11
miles (18 km) long and has both
crowded and isolated stretches. It
is a favorite with surfers, wind-
surfers, and fishing enthusiasts.
The suburb is characterized by
long avenues, apartment blocks,
and shopping malls.
d
Map B6
A surfer at Grumari beach
36
A fresh drink at a juice bar is a pre-beach ritual in Rio.
