When people think about Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana Beach is one of the first places that comes to mind. It is one of the world’s most pristine, gorgeous, and famous beaches! In this post, we’ll go over the whole Copacabana experience and what to expect at this lively, picturesque beach.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission on products if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
It’s unbelievable but… Copacabana is one of those places that looks even better in person than on Instagram! It’s a must-visit place for anyone who likes long walks on the beach and stunning landscapes.
While there is always the concern for safety in Rio, I found the beach to be perfectly safe, relaxing, and enjoyable. The pros totally outweigh the cons when it comes to this famous beach. Famous places are famous for a reason!
Whether you are concerned about safety or just want more info on what to expect at this beach, I’ve got you covered. Here is everything you need to know about the beautiful Copacabana Beach experience and why you should add it to your bucket list!
About Rio’s Copacabana Beach
Rio de Janeiro is a bustling seaside town with some of the most dramatic landscapes and incredible beaches. There are reportedly over 99 beaches in Rio, clocking in around 51 miles (83 km) of swimmable shoreline.
The most famous of these beaches besides Copacabana are Ipanema, Leblon, Barra da Tijuca, and Vermelha (Red Beach). Copacabana is a neighborhood in central Rio with a beach coastline spanning about 2.5 miles (4 km).
I just want to start off by saying that I grew up going to all sorts of beaches because my mother loved them. Most of them were in the United States but several were international beaches. That being said, I have never experienced anything like Copacabana.
It’s such a lively, entertaining, and enjoyable beach! There is so much going on from all sorts of vendors selling anything you could possibly need, to beach sports/activities, to beautiful Cariocas (Rio locals) running along the beach.
It was one of the most pleasant beach experiences I’ve ever had. That is also why I keep using the word experience because it’s not just your average beach visit. It is an event you don’t want to miss out on!
Is Copacabana Safe?
First things first! A question that always gets brought up is, is Copacabana safe? The beach at Copacabana (and Rio in general) doesn’t have the best reputation in terms of safety. I think it’s important to note that safety is a relative notion.
Depending where you come from and what you are comfortable with will determine whether or not you feel safe. That being said, I felt completely safe while at the beach and in all of Rio. I was stunned at how many people told me it was unsafe because I didn’t feel that from my experience.
Of course, there is always a level of danger while traveling and being a tourist. Theft and scams are the most you should be concerned about. While Rio has a reputation for danger and crimes, it has slowly been decreasing throughout the years. It’s also not generally targeted towards tourists but instead between locals and gangs.
Copacabana Beach Tips to Stay Safe
On that note, here are a few safety precautions and tips to keep in mind while visiting any beach in Rio:
- Leave your valuables in your hotel room! Theft is the most common issue while at the beaches in Rio. If you don’t absolutely need it, it’s better to leave it locked up safely in your hotel room.
- Don’t leave your things unattended. On the same note as above, don’t ever leave your things unattended for any period of time unless you won’t miss it if it’s gone.
- If you can, go with a group of people. It’s always best to take turns walking or swimming so someone can keep an eye out for everyone’s things. So if you can, try to go with a group of friends or at least one other person.
- Don’t visit the beaches at night! This is an important tip to note for Rio in general. While Rio is relatively safe during the day, all bets are off at night. Even places that are considered safe during the day change at night. It’s best to stay in well-lit areas with other people. Never go walking alone in dark alleys.
- Remember to bargain. You will come across many vendors so if you want to buy a souvenir, remember to bargain so you don’t get scammed. However, also remember that you are at the beach and therefore prices are higher due to convenience and demand so keep that in mind while negotiating.
- Remember to leave no trace. With any outdoor or nature experience, always remember to take everything you brought in with you and throw away your trash. They have several trash cans all around so there is no reason to throw trash on the ground.
The Copacabana Beach Experience
So Lively & Entertaining
From the second you walk onto the beach, you’ll notice the lively and fun atmosphere. You’ll notice locals playing volleyball or tanning their already perfectly bronzed bodies. You’ll notice so many vendors selling almost anything you could possibly desire or need.
While it is a crowded beach, it doesn’t feel like it. There is still so much space in between and room for everyone. Some people will be playing music quietly enough to not disturb but loud enough to enjoy.
You can even enjoy all types of meals, snacks, and beverages while people watching and enjoying the lively vibes. And of course, the water is so beautiful and inviting. Paired with the astonishing Sugarloaf Mountain in the background, you will be in awe of the beauty of this picturesque beach.
While it may seem like a lot is going on, it’s still enjoyable and not chaotic which is what I loved about it! It’s enough to grab your attention but not to distract you from the relaxation you want at a beach.
Vendors Sell Everything Imagineable!
As I mentioned, you will see so many vendors selling everything and anything! Here are just some of the things I saw for sale:
- Food/Drink Vendors: There are vendors with their own little carts that they push around selling corn with butter and salt. They’ll take it off the cob for you so you can eat it out of a bowl. Some are selling hamburgers, shrimp on a stick, ice cream (alcoholic and non), empanadas, and acai bowls. For beverages, they sell all sorts of beer and alcohol as well as coconuts, fresh juices, and soft drinks.
- Clothing Vendors: One of my favorite displays I saw was these two beautiful women showing how to wear their versatile dress/sarong. They were showing off all the ways to use it while dancing and then would come around and sell it. There are also vendors selling shirts, bathing suits, and beach tapestries.
- Miscenallous Vendors: Lastly there were vendors selling e-cigarettes and vapes, as well as electronics like portable chargers, little radios, and batteries. Some were even selling soccer or volleyballs as well as jewelry like watches, necklaces, and bracelets.
Once again, while this could seem chaotic or bothersome I found that it really wasn’t. When they offer you their goods, saying no just once or twice nicely makes them continue on their way. If you were reading, napping, or tanning, the vendors wouldn’t come up to you. I found that it wasn’t nearly as pestering as other places I’ve traveled to.
Renting Umbrellas & Chairs
There are many stations spread across the beach where you can rent both chairs and an umbrella. They typically charge by the day instead of by the hour. It cost us 20 Reais (about 4 USD) for 2 chairs and the umbrella.
This is pretty affordable and a great option because most tourists don’t have their own beach chairs so take advantage of the price and relax calmly in the shade.
Food & Drinks
Walking vendors are not the only ones who sell food and drinks. There are also beachside stands that offer full menus and drinks. This tends to be a little more expensive because of the convenience. They even have small tables that they’ll set out in front of you.
They serve all kinds of seafood as well as burgers and fries. You will also see a ton of signs advertising Caipirinhas, Brazil’s national cocktail. Caipirinhas are made with Cachaça (a type of local rum spirit), sugar, and lime. You definitely shouldn’t leave Brazil without trying one of these!
Carioca Lifestyle & Activities
Overall the Carioca lifestyle really comes alive on the beaches of Rio. Everyone is there to have a good day time, relax, and enjoy the sun and tan.
This reminds me, Cariocas are beautiful people, both physically and culturally! Whether it’s a man or woman, young or old, they all have this aura of confidence surrounding them and it is so attractive. Don’t feel self-conscious either because there are all sorts of ages and body types lying around.
I personally loved to people-watch. It was so fun to see the locals interact with each other and play all sorts of beach sports. Beach volleyball is a popular sport that is played on the beach as well as Altinha. Altinha is a type of juggling game played with a soccer ball right along the waterfront.
You’ll see many groups playing this! They gather in a circle and basically use whichever body part possible to keep the ball from falling. It’s a group effort and takes some serious skill. Some people were shockingly good. It was quite entertaining to watch. If you are social and adventurous, you could even try to jump in to try it for yourself.
Final Notes
Here are just some final notes that I wanted to mention from my experience because I have read and heard so many mixed reviews about Rio and the beaches. I personally loved Rio and would return in a heartbeat!
I had the best time meeting kind and friendly locals while also feeling safe the whole time. This might not always be the case for everyone but I want to deter people from being scared of traveling to Rio because of the possible danger. You can read more about that in my post here: 5 Simple Reasons Rio de Janeiro is Safe Despite What You Hear
Lastly, once it started to get dark and people began to leave the beach, I was shocked to see a whole clean-up crew in orange shirts that began picking up all of the trash from the beach. In my experience, something like this would never happen on the East Coast beaches of America that I am used to.
Clapping To Alert Others
While some theft may occur on the beaches, I don’t think this is an indication of typical Carioca culture. For example, I witnessed and experienced something strange while there that gave me a bit of hope.
We were hanging out at the beach and all of a sudden everyone around us started clapping. It wasn’t really applause to celebrate something but more of a warning signal. I asked around and apparently, this happens to warn others of a situation.
In this case, a child got separated from their parents so everyone clapped to alert the parents that the child was found. I was also told that this happens whenever something gets stolen as well to alert people there is a thief around.
I thought that was so interesting and it really gave me more insight into the culture. Everyone is looking out for each other. They are not supporting or enabling the theft on the beaches. Perhaps you can find some peace of mind in this.
I hope you found this post helpful in learning and getting the vibe of Copacabana Beach. It truly is such a special and unique experience that I think everyone should try at least once! I wouldn’t worry too much about safety, and just go with an open mind and be mindful of your valuables and surroundings. But more importantly, be sure to soak it all in and enjoy the Carioca vibes!
For more helpful posts on Brazil, you may also like:
- The Best & Tastiest VEGAN Feijoada in Rio de Janeiro!
- 5 Stunning Reasons You Need To Do a Helicopter Tour in Rio de Janeiro
- The BEST Hostel in Rio: Jo&Joe Largo do Boticario
