Ipanema Beach

Ipanema found it's place on the map in the early '60's, due to the bossa nova hit song, "The Girl from Ipanema." It quickly became the bohemian hangout for artists, the well-educated and the wealthy, who were drawn to the neighborhood's many sidewalk cafes and bars. Today it remains a top choice location for tourists as well as locals.

"Tall and tan and young and lovely
The girl from Ipanema goes walking
And when she passes, each one she passes goes - ah

"When she walks, she's like a samba
That swings so cool and sways so gentle
That when she passes, each one she passes goes - ooh

"(Ooh) But I watch her so sadly
How can I tell her I love her
Yes I would give my heart gladly
But each day, when she walks to the sea
She looks straight ahead, not at me

"Tall, (and) tan, (and) young, (and) lovely
The girl from Ipanema goes walking
And when she passes, I smile - but she doesn't see (doesn't see)
(She just doesn't see, she never sees me...)"

Ipanema quickly became the bohemian hangout for artists, the well-educated and the wealthy, who were drawn to the neighborhood's sidewalk cafes and bars. Today it is the favored address for Rio's young, beautiful, and wealthy Cariocas (residents of Rio). The neighborhood boasts a magnifcent beach, and tree-lined streets with chic boutiques and open air cafes and restaurants.

A Sunny Day at Ipanema


Along the beaches of Rio, you will find various postos where there are showers, bathrooms, and beachside drink stands. At Ipanema, Posto 9 is where you will find some of the most tanned bodies in Brazil. It is also the beach of choice for gay Brazilians and tourists, welcoming all with its rainbow-colored flags in the sand.

Posto 9, Ipanema Beach


Once you pass over the canal from Ipanema, you find yourself at Leblon beach, which is a quieter version of Ipanema.

The Canal that Separates Ipanema and Leblon

Leblon Beach, Near the Sheraton Hotel