Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro | Travel Guide

Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is a popular beachside neighborhood that is buzzing with activity. This post is about Copacabana beach, the airbnb apartment I rented for my stay, and my favorite restaurants in Copacabana.  

Copacabana Beach, Rio De Janeiro

Copacabana Beach is a great place to watch the sunrise. Around 6 am the sun rises from the water, and few people are out jogging and working along the beachfront. By mid-morning, crowds gather to enjoy the sun, water, and beach community. Open-air bars and restaurants sell fresh coconut water, food, and drinks along the boardwalk.

The Copacabana Beach is known for its black and white mosaic tile boardwalk and lively beach culture. 

Unlike anything in the US, the Copacabana beach culture resembles Mexico’s. Vendors walk up and down the beachfront on foot, selling goods and services like bikinis, shrimp on a stick, towels, sunglasses, hair braiding, and then some. Plus, the beach has several  volleyball nets up for people to partake in some friendly competition.

These beach volleyball games often go into the night, while the beachfront bars and restaurants cater to fun-seeking visitors with live music and karaoke.

Chispa Tip:

One thing to note is that tall buildings stand directly behind Copacabana Beach, so when the sun starts to go down, the tall buildings quickly shade the beach. Get to the beach early in the day to maximize your fun in the sun.

Is Copacabana Beach worth visiting?

Yes, Copacabana beach is worth visiting. I felt the Carioca hospitality as soon as I walked on to the beach thanks to the service workers at the beach chair rental booth. I’ll never forget the friendly guy that welcomed me and my sister to Copacabana Beach, calling it El Paraiso Tropical, or Tropical Paradise. He asked us where we were from, and promptly pulled out a Mexico flag for a fun photo-op. 

To enjoy a chill day of laying out on the beach, we rented a medium umbrella suitable for two to three people and three beach chairs for 20 dollars for the day. The rental booth worker carried our umbrellas and chairs to our desired beachfront location and set us up, following up with an offer to get us drinks.

While soaking up the sun on the beach, I enjoyed Brazil’s signature cocktail—the Caipirinha. It’s a three-ingredient cocktail made with limes, sugar, and cachaça, a Brazilian distilled liquor made from the fermentation of raw sugarcane juice.

I did not swim in the rough waters of Copacabana Beach, mainly because the water was not wam and inviting. Sitting out in the sun with a refreshing drink was an enjoyable enough escape from the cold Chicago weather of early March. 

Copacabana Beach Apartments for Rent 

I highly recommend this two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment in Copacabana that I booked on Airbnb. The apartment is spacious, with modern furnishing, and only a short block from the beach. This apartment in Copacabana was the perfect place to stay in Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval. Besides the great location a block from the beach, the best thing about this apartment building is the 24-hour doorman who buzzes you in and out.

This apartment has a primary room with a private bathroom, desk, and a safety box to store passports and other valuables. I stayed in this secondary bedroom, with two twin beds and built-in wooden shelves that provide plenty of space for a traveler’s belongings. The apartment doesn’t have central AC, but each room has an AC unit that works without flaws.

My favorite part of the apartment was the cozy corner with a hammock where I would hang out between outings in Rio de Janeiro. 

This apartment building is perfectly located with the beach to it’s left and busy commercial streets on it’s right. It’s in the heart of Copacabana, with access the beach and tons of restaurants, stores, and street vendors. 

Restaurant Recommendations in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro

Farro | Panetteria & Brunch

Farro in Copacabana is my restaurant recommendation for brunch. This is a cute cafe with great things on the menu including Acai Bowls, egg breakfast dishes, fresh juices, sandwiches and wraps, poke bowls, pastries, and coffee.

Haru Sushi Bar – Rio de Janeiro

My dinner recommendation in Copacabana has to be Haru Sushi Bar. This is a Michelin recommended restaurant in Rio de Janeiro. We did not have a reservation, but my group of three got an outdoor patio table on the street-level. Upstairs, the main floor features a Japanese interior design. Sushi bar seating allows guests to watch as chef’s slice fish and plate intricate dishes. The great thing about this restaurant is that we ordered a sashimi sampler plate for a great price, compared to Chicago prices for similar menu items.

Takeaways from Copacabana

The seaside neighborhood of Copacabana is busy and full of life. People are on the streets from morning to night time, so Copacabana is a great place to stay in Rio de Janeiro if you want to be in the action. I loved this neighborhood because it’s beachside, there is access to many great restaurants, hotels, bars, and shopping.

I highly recommend Copacabana as a relaxing, safe neighborhood to visit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.