Leme sits on the North side of its famous neighbor Copacabana, bordered by Avienda Princesa Isabel, and is far more residential than Copa. Leme gets its name from a huge “rudder” shaped rock or “Leme” on the northern side of the beach.
Ari Barroso was a great Brazilian composer that made his home in the nearby hill called “ Chapeu de Mangueira” and there is a square in Antonio Vieria named in his honor. During Carnaval each year the square becomes alive with music by the famous Bando do Leme, a neighborhood band which parades through the streets of Leme, inviting all to join in for the fun.
On the opposite end of Leme is the Leme Fort. People love to climb to the top of the Leme Rock’ to see the picturesque views of both Copacabana and Leme beaches. Along the walkway that was built along side the Leme Rock , which guides you to the top is a magnificent whale sculpture which is very popular for taken photos.
Leme is a little more quiet than Copa,cabana and has the same kiosks for food and drink, and as all beaches in Rio, has many beach peddlers selling everything from lotion and beer, to jewelry and paintings. It is a fun stop along the way to Copa and Ipanema for sure.
COPACABANA
The name Copacabana or Copa Caguana’ which means - Luminus place in Quechua, an ancient language which is still spoken in Peru, was given by the Incas to a lovely site they saw by the Lagoa Titicaca were thet built a temple.
Copacabana beach is one of the worlds most popular beaches and also the heart of Rio’s tourist trade. Copacabana is also the host to the world known annual New Years Eve celebrations, and has many famous landmarks, such as the magnificent 3 mile stretch of designed tile walkways along the beach from Le Meriden Hotel in the North on the corner of Avienda Princesa Isabel, to the Forte de Copacabana and Sofitel Rio in the South.
In the 17th century a chapel was built in honor of “Our lady of Copacabana” by the captain of a Spanish galleon, who believed she came to his aid during a shipwreck. In 1914 Forte de Copacabana was built on the highest point of the beach and extending outward to serve as Rio’s defense against attack. The fort is a very popular tourist destination and offers unique views of the entire sweep of the beach, and is great for the photo album.
Copacabana’s 3 mile trek was the leading way people from the city were able to reach the point until 1892. The same year a tunnel was cut through from Botafogo to Copacabana, followed by a second tunnel in 1904, which enabled the trams to reach the beach as well. It was really not until the neo-classical Copacabana Palace Hotel was built in 1923 that defined the true fabric of Rio, and was its true turning point.
The Palace Hotel has hosted authentic royalty as well as world famous entertainers including Queen Elizabeth ll and Marlene Dietrich along with many world known musicians, gays and transvestites. Copacabana is devided by post 5 and 6 which attract older residents and the younger less privileged crowds from Rio;s Fevelas.
The ‘posto de pessadores’ or fisherman’s post is at the southern end at posto 7, were you can see and purchase the fresh catch of the day. There are kiosk bars the entire length of the beach serving fast food and beverages including all kinds of beer and liquor, and there are also places to rent beach chairs so you can relax along your way down the beach. Beach peddlers are also abundant here, maybe more so than other beaches because it is such a popular tourist hot spot. Don’t forget to have your photo taken on the famous walkway or with some of the worlds most spectacular sand art.
IPANEMA
The Tupi-Guarani called the area Y- Panema which means ’rough water’. Ipanema is a very fashionable area and along with Leblon the 2 most desired spots in Rio to live. It also has more residents than Copacabana.
Almost as famous as its neighbor Copacabana, Ipanema’s stardum came into action in the 1960’s when Antonio Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes wrote the world famous song ”The Girl From Ipanema.
It is one of the most played and recorded songs in popular music history and was inspired by the two from a very sensual girl from Ipanema. The most famous version of the song took place in New York’s A&R studio a year later and featured Joao and Astrud Gilberto, in both the English and Portuguese versions. In 1964 the song was the opening track to a global audience by Gelz/Gilberto. The song stayed on the US charts for 96 weeks and won 4 Grammy’s.
Ipanema is more than just a breathtaking beach seen. It is extremely stylish and sexy and the back streets are loaded with chic boutiques, bars, restaurants and night clubs.
It is also very big in the gay community with clubs like Le Boy and Le Girl as well as Dama de Ferro which is also as popular. Rio welcomes all colors and sexes with open arms.
1884 was the year the first non-native residents moved into Ipanema, The most prestigious address in Rio is Avienda Viera Souto, and two blocks back running parallel is Rua Visconde de Piraja the backbone to Ipanemas shopping experience. The public square at the Copacabana end is Praca General Osorio, which is the host to Rio’s ‘Fiera Hippie de Ipanema’ (Hippie Fair) every Sunday. The fair opened in 1968 and has been a big part of life in Ipanema, and Rio as well, ever since.
APROADOR
The 1 mile long beach of Ipanema is separated by Aproador in the East, and by Leblon in the West, and is picturesque to say the least. Surfers love to come to Aproador as well as Ipanema and many competitions are held here. Aproador also extends Ipanema beach another half mile and helps to separate Ipanema from Diablo beach wich sits on the western end of Forte de Copacabana. The beach is also lit up at night for the surfers pleasure.
LEBLON
Leblon sat in the shadows of its famous neighbor Ipanema for years, but today it is just as desirable and fashionable and perhaps has even more density with its restaurants, night clubs, and mix of bars. There is a particularly electric mix at Rua Dias Ferreira at the most westerly point. Like its neighbor Ipanema, Leblon only has a few Hotels along the beachfront Avienda Delfim Moreira.
Unlike the beaches of Leme and Copacabana which seamlessly flow into each other, Ipanema and Leblon are separated by Jordim de Ala and the canal that links the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas with the sea.
One of the first residents of Leblon was a blonde foreigner who some scholars say was French, while others surmise he was Dutch, but nobody knows for sure the nationality of “La Blond”, thus the 1 mile (2km) long Leblon is said to be named after him.
Leblon is also the home of Clube de Regatas Flamengo, the Flamengo futbol ( soccer) club, which is the most famous and won the 1981 World Cup championship among many other historic wins.
BARRA DE TIJUCA
Barra da Tijuca is Rio’s longest beach, stretching for over 11 miles (18km) with the first 4 miles (6km) having large condominiums, like a modern day Copacabana. This beach is in Rio’s newest upper class and upcoming for the elite area. Locals like to just call it “BARRA”. The hot spots vary the length of the beach, but the most famous for the hard bodies is Barraca do Pepe. This is the favorite with the surfing and hang gliding crowd. It is a very busy food outlet with never ending restaraunts and bars, and kiosks serving organic foods long before people have ever even heard of it.
Crowds of Carioca’s and tourists have always been drawn to this beach on weekends, but further down it becomes less crowded and unspoilt. When schools are in session on weekdays it is even possible to find large isolated stretches of the beach.
Bordering the beach Barra is Rio’s fastest growing superb and newest most desirable place for the rich to live. It has Barra shopping center which is the largest shopping mall in Latin America, and is up to date on all the latest styles and fashions you can imagine. It also boasts other malls and supermarkets that are quite unique. Barra has never ending restaurants including Hard Rock Café’ Rio de Janeiro, along with many other bars, nightclubs, and Hotels. It has many amusement parks from go-carts and skateboard parks to water slides and also has New York City Center as well as theatres and cinemas.
Barra de Tijuca houses RioCentro. Latin Americas largest convention and exhibition center, and also the Sitio Roberto Burle Marx, one of the best collections of tropical plants from around the entire world.
FLAMENGO
Flamengo is also one of the most popular beaches in Rio. It is within a rocks throw of the lower priced Hotels, and is a very narrow beach but offers spectacular views of the bay. It also hosts the most amazingly designed architectural buildings in Rio, including the famous Barritz’ (the little castle), and also a Carioca version of the legendary Dakota building of New York. The Flamengo District sits on the edge of Guanabara bay, between Botafogo and the city centre, and has the most incredible views of Sugar Loaf. Flamengo is also home to one of Rio’s futbol (soccer ) clubs, Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, which was founded in 1895.
BOTAFOGO
Botafogo is not a very popular beach because it is not suitable for swimming. It is the heart of many big companies and also just a very busy place in particular. Despite its negative points many people still like to come here to take walks, bike, or skateboard and many concerts are also held here, especially during New Years.
PRAINHA AND GRUMARI
These are the cities most unspoilt beaches, and are deserted weekdays because they are only accessible by car. Grumari is located far to the West of Rio de Janeiro, in a clean and beautiful nature reserve. It is also one of the more favorite beaches with the Carioca’s, and is embedded within an Atlantic Rainforest. Scenes from the 1984 Hollywood comedy film “Blame it on Rio were filmed along the road to Grumari. Grumari is also a picnic lunch type beach with kiosk’s and restaurants only on the top of the hill, and to the West at Point de Grumari’, but great for couples and families. It also has amazing coastal views out to the west.
Prainha is a bit smaller in size, at only 164 yards (150m) long and extremely popular with the surfing crowd. Actually it is the best surf beach in all of Rio. It is also a really crowded beach on the weekends, so plan accordingly. There are kiosks with food and beverages abundant. Prainha also has its own public transportation for surfers called “”The surf bus”, which was designed to accommodate 30 passengers and there boards. The bus has English speaking drivers and runs everyday except Mondays. Truly a great spot for all water dogs!
