What image, more than any other, sums up Rio de Janeiro, if not the fabulous mosaic promenade and sandy white sweep of beach? Copacabana Palace sits right on Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach is just a stroll round the headland. Beachlife, sunbathing and the Brazilian summer pastime of volleyball are right on your doorstep.
The spectacular pavements were designed by Brazil's foremost landscape architect, Roberto Burle Marx, in the 1970s and beyond them lie the Cariocas' playground. Given that the majority of Rio's inhabitants live in the narrow space between the hills and the sea, the beach is coveted as the most important social space in the city. Each beach has its own personality but you can expect to see groups of young people playing, families having picnics, water sports, juice and coconut sellers and lots of sun-worshippers.
