Do NOT Miss Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro
Copacabana is the renowned beach in Rio de Janeiro, located in the South Zone of the city and flanked by impressive beachfront hotels, restaurants and clubs. It is one of the hip places to stay in the bustling Brazilian metropolis.
The beach itself is a 4 km (2.5 miles) stretch of sandy space situated between Watchtower Two and Watchtower Six in this part of Rio de Janeiro. The first section of the beach at Watchtower One is Leme, another famous Rio de Janeiro beach.
The famous promenade between Copacabana Beach and the buildings on the other side is a spectacular, vibrant avenue closed to cars on special days. In this way, residents and visitors can enjoy more space for leisurely activities along the beach.
Both ends of Copacabana Beach feature historic forts: Fort Copacabana from 1914 and Fort Duque de Caxias dating all back to 1779.
Photo: Mayara Johansen / Pixabay
Although today very central to Rio de Janeiro and one of the big draws in the Rio tourism, it is not many years since the district was uninhabited and had a completely different character from what Copacabana now exudes.
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Until the 20th century, the neighbourhood consisted of sparse farms and farmland along the ocean. The seashore was not yet inhabited. It would soon change, and during the first decades of the 20th century, townhouses rose along the waterfront. Among these was the large and famous Copacabana Palace from 1923, which today still stands as a grand hotel, the Belmond Copacabana Palace.
Photo: Lando Hamukwaya / Pixabay
It became a retreat for the Brazilian upper class and celebrities, and later on, the area was extended to comprise the middle class as well. Soon, it developed into a popular tourist summer destination with extensive nightlife.
Although many tourists generally only know Copacabana as the name of the renowned beach, Copacabana is today a significant neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro.
Photo: Paulo Duarte / Pixabay
Throughout the years, the beach area has been a popular location for important events. One of the remarkable concerts at Copacabana was the Rolling Stones concert in 2006, where 1.5 million Brazilian people gathered to attend the concert.
Another mega concert held at Copacabana Beach was the Rod Stewart concert on New Year’s Eve in 1994, which 3.5 million people attended!
Photo: Pat Scrap / Pixabay
In fact, in recent years, Rio has become THE place to celebrate New Year’s Eve. A gigantic firework explodes in the sky above Copacabana – probably one of the largest in the world – and a couple of million people usually gather around the beach to view the spectacular show!
One of the remarkable events on Rio de Janeiro Beach took place in 2007 when the beach hosted the Brazilian leg of the worldwide Live Earth concerts.
Sugarloaf Mountain
Photo: Poswiecie / Pixabay
Visitors and locals can enjoy the beach all year round due to the tropical climate. The weather is relatively warm in all seasons, and the days are mostly sunny. That means that even in winter (June-August in the southern hemisphere), the temperature is still high enough to enjoy beach life here, although the beach is probably not as crowded as in summer. People still find their way to Copacabana with beach umbrellas, blankets and sunscreen.
Photo: Travel In Culture
Copacabana Beach is broad and attractive, with beach volleyball courts on one side of the pristine sand. At the same time as playing, you will experience the power of the rough ocean. The waves are considerable, and according to the local Brazilians, it is not advisable to go for a swim! Anyway, it is absolutely fascinating to observe the strong waves. Now and then, an extraordinary high wave approaches and reaches the beach with immense force. It is quite a surfer’s paradise!
Photo: Travel In Culture
Also, the odd seller walks along the sloshing waves with his frame of sunglasses, hats, imitation jewellery or whatever he attempts to persuade people to buy.
Regardless of which season you visit Rio in, the renowned, impressive statue, Christ the Redeemer, always rises way above the city and the beaches!
Photo: Travel In Culture
Hotels
View hotels at Copacabana Beach for your Copacabana beach vacations.
‘Do NOT Miss Copacabana Beach – Rio de Janeiro’
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Do NOT Miss Copacabana Beach – Rio de Janeiro:
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Visit Copacabana Beach Rio de Janeiro
