Visit Guide for Ipanema Beach in Brazil
Last Updated on April 7, 2024 by Kelly
Ipanema Beach, located in Rio de Janeiro, is one of the most famous beaches in the world. It became famous after the bossa nova song “The Girl From Ipanema” was released in the 1960s. The beach is also a popular place to watch the sunset each evening. It’s also a great place for tourists to visit. The Ipanema neighborhood is one of the nicest areas in Rio de Janeiro. Right across from Ipanema Beach are dozens of trendy bars, shops, and restaurants. We recently visited Ipanema Beach, and it was such a dreamy beach. In this post, we’ll share our complete guide to visiting Ipanema Beach.
About Ipanema Beach
Ipanema Beach is about 1.5 miles (2.6 kilometers) long. In 1902, the first streetcar line was built in Ipanema, which facilitated its growth and expansion.
Ipanema Beach became even more famous when the song “The Girl From Ipanema” was released in 1964. The song was written by Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes. The song was based after a real girl they would frequently see walking along the beach, Helô Pinheiro.
Things to Do at Ipanema Beach
1. Go for a Beach Walk
The first thing you should do while at Ipanema is check out the beach! The beach is divided into numbered Postos (lifeguard stations), and families typically have a preferred Posto they frequent. Each Posto is known for a different vibe. Generally, Postos 8 and 9 offer more of party-like vibe. Postos 10 and 11 are a bit ritzier.
If you go swimming, just be sure not to leave any valuables unattended on the beach. Ipanema Beach is a popular place for swimming, but sometimes the water quality is too poor for swimming. When that happens, the city will post notices. We found that the tide was a bit more rough at Ipanema compared to Copacabana, so make sure you are a strong swimmer if you do go out in the water.
We recommend that you go to one of the kiosks and rent a couple of beach chairs and an umbrella. It’s the best way to enjoy the beach. Many of the stands also sell beach-side drinks, so you’ll be set for the day!
2. Watch Futevôlei
While you’re walking along the beach, you’ll probably notice people playing a unique beach game: futevôlei (footvolley). The sport is kind of like a mix between beach volleyball and soccer. You’re not allowed to use your arms and hands.
3. Admire the Sunset
Each evening, the sun will dip between the mountains Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers) at the end of Ipanema Beach for a truly spectacular sunset. The locals have a tradition of clapping when the sunsets, so if you hear clapping, you’ll know why! The sun puts on such a show that it became tradition to give it a round of applause each evening. One of the most popular places to watch the sunset is from Arpoador Beach, which will give you a full view of Ipanema Beach and the mountains.
3. Grab a Drink at Garota de Ipanema
The Garota de Ipanema is the bar that inspired the song “The Girl From Ipanema.” The artists frequently drank at this bar, which is where they would admire the girl from Ipanema. The bar at the time was called “Bar do Veloso”, and it’s said that the artists wrote the song while sitting at a table at this bar. We recommend that you order a caipirinha, which is a famous Brazilian cocktail.
| Be sure to see our list of the best things to see in Rio de Janeiro! |
4. Visit the Hippie Fair in Ipanema
The Hippie Fair in Ipanema (officially known as the Feira de Arte de Ipanema) is filled with vendors selling a variety of artwork and souvenirs. There’s also a lot of food stalls, so it’s a great place to try local street food. The market is open every Sunday in General Osório Square. It’s the perfect place to find a souvenir of your trip to Brazil.
5. Walk Through Garota de Ipanema Park
Garota de Ipanema Park is a colorful park close to Ipanema Beach. It has a playground and an area that’s popular with local skaters. The skating area has colorful murals and street art that make for a perfect photo with Ipanema Beach in the background.
6. See the Statue of Tom Jobim
Tom Jobim was one of the writers of “The Girl from Ipanema.” There’s a statue of him to honor his contribution at Ipanema Beach. Go ahead and snap a selfie with him. The statue depicts the artist walking along the beach with his guitar over his shoulder.
7. Paróquia Nossa Senhora da Paz
This colonial church was built in 1918 as the neighborhood began to grow. It’s located in the heart of Ipanema.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.What to Bring to Ipanema Beach
8. Visit the Cagarras Islands
The Cagarras Islands are an uninhabited archipelago located about 3 miles off the coast of Ipanema Beach. There are several tours that will take tourists to the islands for the day. For example, you can sign up to have a private diving experience.
What to Bring to Ipanema Beach
Here’s a few items we recommend bringing with you to enjoy the beach:
- Waterproof Pouch: You’ll want a waterproof pouch to place your cell phone, hotel key, cash, and any other valuables while you’re out swimming. You won’t want to leave any valuables unattended on the beach, so having a waterproof pouch will give you peace of mind.
- Quick Dry Towel: These towels pack up small and they dry quickly. They’re perfect for an impromptu trip to the beach. You’ll be able to walk around town or head to a restaurant without carrying a bulky bag full of towels.
- Portable Cell Phone Charger: Whenever we travel, we rely heavily on our phones for navigation and for taking photos. We always carry a fully-charged power bank so our cell phones never run out of battery while we’re on the go.
- GoPro: A GoPro will allow you to take excellent underwater photos and videos. If you plan on swimming or going snorkeling, a GoPro is a must-have item!
Hotels Near Ipanema Beach
When we visited Rio de Janeiro, we stayed near Copacabana Beach at the the PortoBay Rio de Janeiro. We absolutely loved this hotel, and we highly recommend it to anyone looking for lodging in Rio de Janeiro.
There are tons of great hotels at Ipanema Beach too!
Here are a few suggestions:
- Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro: This is one of the nicest hotels along Ipanema Beach. The swimming pool has stunning views of the beach and mountains.
- Sol Ipanema Hotel: This hotel is located right next to Posto 9. There’s a small rooftop pool.
- Praia Ipanema Hotel: This hotel has an infinity pool with an ocean view.
How to Get There
Ipanema Beach is located in the city of Rio de Janeiro in the country of Brazil. Ipanema Beach is part of a long stretch of beaches in Rio de Janeiro.
The beaches in Rio de Janeiro are divided into different sections, and numerical posts are used to designate each section. Ipanema Beach consists of Posts 8 and 9. Connected to Ipanema Beach to the east is Arpoador Beach, and connected to the west of Ipanema is Leblon Beach. Just north of Ipanema Beach is Copacabana Beach. The two famous beaches are located within walking distance of each other. Rio de Janeiro is a fun city to visit because there are beaches everywhere!
Activities Near Ipanema Beach
Ipanema Beach is just one of many things to see while you’re visiting Rio de Janeiro. A few recommendations for further sightseeing include:
- Copacabana Beach: Enjoy the golden sand, beachside bars, and samba music.
- Christ the Redeemer: Visit the statue on top of Mount Corcovado.
- Sugarloaf Mountain: Take the cablecar to the top of the mountain for views of the city.
- Selaron Steps: Visit the colorful stairway that was created from thousands of unique tiles.
- Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden): Take a walk through the lush gardens.
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Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow): This science museum has impressive architecture.
Summary
We have been to both Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, and I slightly favor Ipanema for the sunset. I enjoyed staying near Copacabana Beach, though, to explore the many sights within walking distance. We stayed at the beach for a couple of hours and that felt perfect. If you plan on swimming, plan to spend at least 3-4 hours.
Visiting Ipanema Beach was truly a dreamy experience. Watching the sunset behind the mountains was the end to a perfect day in Rio de Janeiro. If you get a chance to visit Brazil, we highly recommend that you add Ipanema to your itinerary.
Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information.
