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Rio De Janeiro Sights

Copacabana & Leme Beach

2 reviews | Write a review

Good for: fun, sport, sun, tan, swimmers

Not good for: barefoot, homophobes, Anyone with pale white skin

  • Address
    • Av Atlântica

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Lonely Planet review for Copacabana & Leme Beach

A magnificent confluence of land and sea, the long, scalloped beach of Copacabana and Leme runs for 4km, with a flurry of activity always stretching along its length: over-amped soccer players singing their team’s anthem, Cariocas and tourists lining up for caipirinhas at kiosks, favela kids showing off their soccer skills, beach vendors shouting out their wares among the beached and tanned bodies.

As in Ipanema, each group stakes out their stretch of sand. Leme is a mix of older residents and favela kids, while the area between the Copacabana Palace Hotel and Rua Fernando Mendes is the gay and transvestite section, known as the Stock or Stock Market – easily recognized by the rainbow flag. Young soccer and futevôlei (soccer volleyball) players hold court near Rua Santa Clara. Posts five and six are a mix of favela kids and Carioca retirees, while the beach next to the Forte de Copacabana is the fishermen’s community beach. In the morning, you can buy the fresh catch of the day.

The beach is lit at night and police are in the area, but it’s still not wise to walk there after dark – stay on the hotel side of Av Atlântica if you take a stroll. Av NS de Copacabana (NS stands for Nossa Senhora, meaning Our Lady) is also dangerous – watch out at weekends, when the shops are closed and there are few locals around.

 

Traveller reviews for Copacabana & Leme Beach (2)

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    touristy , fun , safe , strange , beatiful

    mongoose330 recommends this,

    Very nice beach , on a par with Ipanema ( at times ) , Larger and longer than Ipanema. I found that catching a bus all the way to Leblon , and then walking back to Leme was awesome. Its all about skin , and fitness. Copacabana has more tourists on than locals but still has that lovely feel to it.

    On Sundays they close off the road nearest the beach so that everyone can walk or ride along this beautiful beach. In my Ipanema review i warned against going barefoot. I will say it again , DONT walk barefoot. The Brazilians have a nasty habit of retching and spitting. Copacabana is not spared from this. Be Prepared to pay for using the toilet ( R1.80 ).. Ohh and guys .. Be careful the Urinals look like the basins..LOL.. So if your wondering why the Urinal is so high your peeing in the basin...

    Good for: fun, sport, sun, tan

    Not good for: barefoot

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    This beach is a legend, and rightly so.

    georgiatraveler recommends this,

    Granted, i haven't been to many of the world's most famous beaches (St. Tropez, Waikiki, Malibu, Mykonos, Phuket? No, no, no, no and no.) But i have a hard time believing that anyone would enjoy any beach more than Copacabana. The sun's as bright as a spotlight, the water's as warm as bathwater, the waves are excellent for bodysurfing, and there are as many pickup volleyball games as you can manage. For scenery, Ipanema beats Copa, but for swimming i'll take Copa every time.

    Good for: swimmers, Sunbathers, Beach volleyballers, Girl- and boy-watchers

    Not good for: homophobes, Anyone with pale white skin

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