If the waves and undertow at Copacabana and Ipanema are too much, head to 200m-long Praia Vermelha (Red Beach), a pretty beach squashed between Morro da Urca and Morro da Babilônia where the water is almost always calm. Its coarse sand gives the beach the name vermelha (red). You also get superb views of the rocky coastline from the shore. Vendors at Praia Vermelha sell coconuts and snacks, and there are often blocks (street parades) here during Carnaval season.
If you want to stretch your legs, Pista Cláudio Coutinho to the left of the beach is a paved 1.2km trail that winds along the southern contour of Morro da Urca. About 300m into the trail is Trilha do Morro da Urca up to Urca Hill.
