Ipanema Beach

When you visit Rio, set a day aside to spend on the beach. Vendors wander along the sand selling fresh coconut, beer and cachaca – Brazil’s national drink and an essential component of the caipirinha cocktail. Although Ipanema Beach is less busy than adjacent Copacabana, it is an excellent place to sip a drink and people watch. Ipanema is one of the most chic – and therefore most expensive – places in Brazil.

Watch the groups of people playing football, volleyball, or footvolley – a Brazilian combination of the two games. At the end of the day, settle down to watch the dazzling sunset which is often applauded by the crowds on Ipanema Beach during the summer months.

On a clear day, the sparkling blue water contrasts with the soft white sand creating a picturesque paradise. After heavy rain the water can sometimes appear a slightly murkier green, but the sea is always clean here due to the heavy swells. The swells also make swimming dangerous – look out for the lifeguard towers that line the beach and only swim in the designated areas.

Sunday is a great day to visit Ipanema Beach, when the road nearest to the beach is closed to cars, and overtaken by runners, walkers, bikers and skaters. There is also the hippie fair, with bohemian artists and craftspeople offering their creations.

The streets behind the beach are laid out in a grid formation and are easy to navigate. Rua Vinicius De Morais offers the ultimate in Brazilian fashion, with plenty of shops and boutiques tempting visitors from the beach. There are also lots of botequims – or bodegas – offering cold drinks, food and an unrivalled view of the passing crowds. A popular choice is Garota de Ipanema Bar, reported to be the place where the famous 60s song "The Girl from Ipanema” was written. Prices in Ipanema match the area’s reputation, so wander a little further from the beach if you are on a tight budget.

During Rio’s carnival, usually around February, why not join the 50,000 visitors that celebrate on Ipanema Beach. You will need to book early - along with New Year’s Eve this is the highest of Brazil’s peak season. Ipanema Beach is a 30-minute taxi or bus journey from Rio and is situated between Leblon and Arpoador.