Copacabana beaches. Copacabana beach, Brazil

  • 20.12.2023

Airbnb partners with local photographers to capture the atmosphere of neighborhoods and suburbs in big cities around the world. Among the photographs on this page there are works by such masters:

André Joaquim is a dentist and photographer who lives in Rio de Janeiro. He has a huge passion for Rio and after this project for Airbnb he was finally convinced that this is the most beautiful city between the mountains and the sea that there can be.
Fabio Blaser is a photojournalist from Switzerland, currently based in Rio de Janeiro. Before moving to Brazil, he graduated from the University of Plymouth in the UK. When he's not photographing, Fabio enjoys waterfalls, beaches, rainforests and the Brazilian way of life. It was a pleasure to rent this incredible tropical city that Fabio was lucky enough to call home for Airbnb Guide.
Thirty-two-year-old bon vivant Sam Komen was born in Los Angeles. His work can be seen in Esquire, Details, Rolling Stone and The Wall Street Journal. He has received national grants and awards for his long-term portrait essays. During the 11 days that Sam spent in Rio de Janeiro on behalf of Airbnb, he completely fell in love with the city, the beauty of the surrounding nature and the carelessness of the local residents.

Length: 4,000 meters.

The legendary Brazilian beach of Copacabana, located in Rio de Janeiro, is also one of the most dangerous to visit. What you should be afraid of here is not poisonous jellyfish and wild animals, but ordinary criminals; every day on the coast dozens of people become victims of robbers. When going to a crowded beach, you should not take absolutely any valuables with you. Those who relax on the beach alone are strongly discouraged from leaving even personal clothing and towels on the coast unattended; they can easily be stolen.


The length of the beach is quite large and is about 4,000 meters; the incredibly beautiful Avenida Atlantica promenade with many cozy restaurants and shops runs along it. It’s hard to imagine that a few decades ago, on the site of a huge beach resort, there was a small fishing village of Copacabana. Over the past decades, this area has been distinguished not only by its actively developing infrastructure, but also by the flourishing of illegal activities.


Drugs, prostitution, a huge number of scammers and pickpockets are just a few of the not-so-great features of this popular Brazilian beach. If certain precautions are taken, holidays on the coast can be quite safe. While on vacation, you should not communicate with strangers or enter into any transactions with them. You should take as few valuables with you to the beach as possible and never leave them unattended.


Copacabana Beach and attractions around

A short guide to tour spots around Copacabana Beach. We advise you to pay attention to an excellent example of Brazilian architecture - the Palácio Guanabara palace complex nearby. We also recommend taking a walk in Rio de Janeiro along the paths of the beautiful Rio de Janeiro Zoo. It would also be interesting to explore the ancient temple of Basílica da Imaculada Conceição in Rio de Janeiro, located in the distance.

Of course, it would be interesting to stay in these places. Away from Copacabana Beach (), the chic Play City amusement park has settled in Rio de Janeiro. For lovers of the deep sea, we invite you to visit the excellent aquarium park in Brazil, Aquário do Zoo do Rio de Janeiro, located at a remote location. In addition, the upscale Rio de Janeiro art gallery Museum of Modern Art Rio de Janeiro (MAM) only hosts its exhibitions of paintings. The grandiose castle-fortress Ilha Fiscal can be reached in . In addition, it would also be great to organize shopping in Rio de Janeiro on the nearby Leblon shopping street. Be sure to stop by the Parque Natural Municipal José Guilherme Merquior natural park, which is a mirror of the flora and landscapes of Brazil. Towards the end, grab a meal at the Michelin-starred Cipriani restaurant nearby.

Copacabana(port. Praia de Copacabana) - famous all over the world beach, stretching in a graceful arc in the city district of the same name in the southern part of the former capital of Brazil, (port. Rio de Janeiro).

Located at the entrance to (port. Guanabara), which is south of the city center. The sandy strip, more than 4 km long, is the longest beach in the world and one of the main attractions of the city. Beach and wide promenade " Avenida Atlantica"(port. Avenida Atlântica) are never empty, being a favorite vacation spot for local residents and numerous tourists.


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origin of name

The name comes from a fishing village that was previously located here, which, in turn, was named after the Bolivian city.

The residents themselves call their famous beach “Princesinha do Mar” (from the port: “Princess of the Sea”), admiring its splendor.

There are several versions regarding the origin of the name of the city of Copacabana. According to one version, the name originated in the era from the words "copac" and "cabana" from the language, and means "Blue Beach". According to another version, the name was formed from the words of the language “koppa” and “kahuana”, which translated means “View of the lake”.

Copacabana

Pieces of history

The history of Copacabana dates back to the 50s of the 18th century, when a new chapel was erected in the town of Sakupenapana in honor of the patron saint of the Bolivian town of Copacabana, which later gave its name to the fishing village. In 1892, after the opening of the Real Grandeza tunnel and the launch of the tram line, the village connected with the city of Rio de Janeiro, becoming one of its districts.

In 1904, construction of the embankment began. The Copacabana area reached its true heyday in the 50-60s of the twentieth century, when it attracted representatives of the bohemian world, becoming home to hundreds of Brazilian artists, painters, and writers. Later, politicians, businessmen and simply very wealthy people began to settle in the prestigious area.

It’s sad, but in recent decades, illegal types of income have flourished here, accompanying the development of foreign tourism, such as street robberies, drug trafficking, prostitution - all this, by no means, has added to the popularity of the once elite area.

Modern Copacabana

However, today the famous beach is the largest concert venue, where world-famous artists have performed more than once. For example, in December 1994, a stunning show by English rock musician, singer and composer Rod Stewart took place right here, which attracted more than 4 million spectators. This musical event was even included in the Guinness Book of Records. And in February 2006, a grand concert of the legendary group “The Rolling Stones” took place here, which was attended by more than 2 million people.

Thanks to the installed modern artificial lighting system, the beach is suitable for various cultural events around the clock. The undoubted decoration of the grandiose sand arc is the white sand sculptures sculpted by artists. Sand sculpture masters show incredible imagination, and new creations made from snow-white sand regularly appear here, bringing viewers to indescribable delight.

Copacabana is a 24-hour, year-round, non-stop holiday that encourages you to enjoy life at any time!

The world's largest beach hosts celebrations with traditionally colorful Brazilian masquerades, carnival processions and colorful fireworks. International volleyball tournaments are also held here, future stars of Brazilian football train, and New Year's holidays are cheerfully celebrated by Brazilians and millions of tourists, traditionally dressed in white clothes. In general, celebrating the New Year in Copacabana is an absolutely unforgettable event: it is colorful and fiery national festivities, mesmerizing, fantastically beautiful fireworks over the Atlantic Ocean, restaurants, bars, clubs and discos open all night.

The beach has a developed infrastructure of a large number of hotels, shopping areas, restaurants and sports facilities. Along the embankment there are numerous hotels, famous for their impeccable service and a wide range of price ranges that can satisfy every visitor.

Copacabana is an ideal holiday destination for those who, like the well-known Ostap Bender, are attracted by the fascinating color of Rio and Brazil in general.

This is a place of continuous bright celebration, sparkling parties and delightful beach holidays that will not leave any tourist indifferent.

  • Of course, the word “beach” evokes many positive associations: summer, vacation, vacation, sea, surf music, peace and serenity. But it is necessary to remember that not all beaches are safe. The most common danger is, of course, sharks. However, sharks are not the only threat to beachgoers. Forbes has compiled a list of the most dangerous beaches in the world, visiting which can lead to disastrous consequences for health and life. Copacabana occupies one of the top positions on this list. Formerly a vacation spot for the elite in the mid-twentieth century, today Capacabana is considered by the Brazilian authorities to be a problem area with an off-the-scale crime rate: pirate ship hijackings, drug trafficking, robberies, prostitution, rape and even kidnapping.
  • According to the Brazilian police, it is in the Copacabana area that the largest number of drug lords and representatives of mafia structures live.
  • Fortunately, modern hotels located in Copacabana fully provide their guests with safety, impeccable service, a magnificent beach and a constant feeling of celebration.
  • All year round in this area of ​​Rio, tourists have the opportunity to find entertainment for every taste. During the day you can sunbathe on the golden sand and swim in the warm Atlantic waves, surf and take a boat ride. Those interested can enjoy playing beach soccer and volleyball, and thrill-seekers are invited to all sorts of exciting attractions. Active recreation here continues at night, in the bright light of artificial lighting.
  • In Copacabana you can see all the latest beach fashion trends. Interestingly, it was at Copacabana that the bikini, a two-piece swimsuit, was first recorded. And today on the beautiful beach, the most beautiful in South America, there is something to be surprised and admired!

Copacabana beach - 4 km public beach - the main party of Rio de Janeiro, . Along the Copacabana promenade runs the equally famous Avenida Atlantica - wide street, along which all the festive processions of Brazilians in Rio take place.


The strip of sand, the width of a football field, attracts thousands of sunbathers every day. Sometimes you can see celebrities on the beach.



Created in the mid-1950s as a recreation area for high society, today Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro has a reputation as the most unsavory holiday destination: the crime rate there is one of the highest in all of Brazil.



Robberies, prostitution, drug trafficking, rape and even kidnapping are everyday occurrences in this place. In 2010, more than 80 people became victims of crimes of varying severity here, and 30 people were killed.



Hot, coffee-chocolate bodies of hot Brazilian women, muscular tanned handsome men showing off their assets worse than peacocks... no, this is not the script of your favorite movie, this is Copacobana beach in Rio de Janeiro. The most famous beach in Brazil is sea, sun and a sea of ​​sunny people enjoying life. From morning to evening they play volleyball on the beach, splash in the salty waves or leisurely sip cocktails in stylish cafes, mixing smiles with flirtation.

Such popularity gradually made Copacabana a wealthy area, attractive for investment and living - wealthy people began to buy housing here en masse and move to Copacabana with their families.


Copacabana Beach looks especially impressive during the New Year celebrations, when millions of people gather on the coast and huge, bright fireworks “bloom” over the water. Nevertheless, today extensive concerts and celebrations with traditionally bright colors for Brazilians, costume processions, and masquerades continue to be held on the world's largest beach.





Today's Copacabana is a sea of ​​people with islands of shops and cafes, backed by rows of luxury hotels, penthouses and casinos. The beach can be noisy and dirty, and in the late afternoon it can even be dangerous, when thieves, not embarrassed by the police, steal tourists’ bags.

Brazil is an amazing country. Anyone who visits this fabulous place once will certainly want to come back here again. Everyone knows the proverb: “How you celebrate the New Year is how you will spend it,” so we suggest celebrating it with fiery rhythms on Copacabana Beach.

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At the end of December, tourists from all over the world come to Brazil. After all, it is here, on Copacabana beach on New Year’s Eve, that you can see stunning fireworks, make your most cherished wish, drink a glass of sparkling wine or champagne, and then dance and have fun until the morning. And you definitely need to celebrate New Year's Eve in all white, because according to popular belief, this will definitely bring happiness.

In our article.

You can get to Rio de Janeiro from Moscow on your own by plane:

  • British Airways connecting in London
  • TAP Portugal with a connection in Lisbon
  • Alitalia with a transfer in Rome (one of the most convenient ways to get to Rio de Janeiro)
  • KLM with a connection in Amsterdam
  • Swiss with a transfer in Lisbon
  • Iberia with a transfer in Madrid
  • Air France with a connection in Paris
  • Lufthansa with a change in Frankfurt am Main
  • Aeroflot with a transfer in Frankfurt
  • Emirates with a connection in Dubai
  • Delta with a connection in New York.

As you might have guessed, there are no direct flights to Rio de Janeiro. To buy air tickets at a favorable price, we recommend subscribing to the airlines' newsletter in advance and keeping an eye on promotions and sales.

Whatever airline you choose, your plane will land at Galean International. As for the visa regime, residents of Russia do not need a visa to enter the country for tourism purposes and a stay of up to 90 days.

What documents are needed

When crossing the border, you will only need to present a foreign passport valid for the entire duration of the trip and, of course, a return ticket, because no one will be happy with immigrants, and there are a lot of them here. Of course, if suspicions arise about your account, they may be asked to show a hotel reservation or proof that you have enough money for a carefree vacation.

You can read how to book cheap accommodation abroad in our article.

Preparing for the New Year

Brazilians love holidays and know how to have fun. If a holiday is planned in the near future, then they approach its organization with great responsibility and attention. That is why many tourists are already carefully planning their New Year's holidays in Brazil. But since the hot climate of the southern hemisphere is not conducive to having fun under the bright sun, the holidays in Brazil begin in the evening and last all night.

As soon as the waves of the ocean are illuminated by the last rays of the setting sun, locals and thousands of guests in a single impulse begin to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new year. No one is left on the sidelines, because this is a holiday that everyone is waiting for.

When in Russia the weather is not at all conducive to a pleasant outdoor recreation, when everything is covered with snow and frosts dominate, summer in Rio de Janeiro is in full swing. But the heat does not stop local residents from preparing for the long-awaited night. Already several months before the holiday, Christmas trees are erected, although artificial, but no less charming. They are decorated with traditional decorations, and the streets are illuminated with colorful illuminations.

At the same time, not only public places are decorated, but also private houses. Brazilians decorate their homes themselves using Christmas trees and other traditional decorations. All this beauty pleases the eye until mid-January. Moreover, all this time people are having fun and having a great time on holidays with their friends, acquaintances and relatives.

New Year's Carnival in Rio

The Brazilian New Year's Carnival is a unique combination of ancient rituals with European culture. In fact, many tourists are attracted by the New Year's carnival in Rio de Janeiro, as it is a truly unforgettable holiday. If for Europeans the New Year is a family holiday, an opportunity to spend the day with loved ones, relatives and friends, then for the residents of Brazil it is an excellent opportunity to appease the spirits, following the traditions of their Afro-Indian ancestors.

Every year they prepare gifts to the African goddess Imanja, who, according to legend, was the patroness of all sailors. Gifts to the goddess are candles, which are installed and set on fire on a special stand made of wood, released into the water, making the most cherished wish and observing. If the candle does not go out for a long time, then the wish made is more likely to come true in the near future.

Brazilians also bring white flowers as gifts. That is why, when heading to Brazil to celebrate the New Year holidays, do not forget that you will need to buy a bouquet. By throwing them into the water, Brazilians make a wish, and if the flowers are not washed ashore by the surf, the wish will come true.

The holiday by the sea begins at 10 pm. Closer to midnight, you can hear numerous pops of champagne corks opening, until by 12 they merge into a continuous cannonade. Brazilians loudly count down the cherished seconds before the New Year right on the Atlantic coast, and immediately after this a magnificent pyrotechnic show begins.

Thousands of people in white clothes are illuminated by the light of a grandiose fireworks display, the sparks of which fall into the ocean. This sight is so wonderful that it is worth going to the other side of the world to see it. That is why the New Year's holiday in Rio de Janeiro is worth spending with your loved ones, giving a carefree holiday and a great mood.

In the first minutes of the New Year, everyone congratulates each other, shouting “Feliz Ano Novo!” (which means “Happy New Year!”) and drink sparkling drinks while watching the fireworks.

While the lights of the New Year's fireworks ascending into the sky illuminate the ocean and millions of people who meet it on Copacabana beach, one of the most unique Christmas trees in the whole world shines with its beauty in the Lagoon di Freitas (its height is more than eighty meters) and it is installed on the water .