Rio: The Beaches

We based ourselves at the south end of Copacabana where it meets the east end of Ipanema. By statistics, it is one of the most densely populated urban areas in the world. Confoundingly, the streets are not lively. Everyone must spend all their outdoor time at the beach. Yet, there is so much nature nearby - capybaras by the lake, and monkeys in the hills or even in the neighborhood. Still, the allure of Copacabana/Ipanema eludes me.

On the one beautiful sunny day we experienced in Rio, the Zona Sul beaches were full of activity. Plus, one direction of the beach road was closed to vehicular traffic allowing walkers and cyclists to roam unimpeded. And we could see the Cristo (3rd below)








Beach volleyball, with hands, or with heads and feet, is very popular. And on sunny days there must be hundreds of games in progress.




We visited Arpoador Rock (1st below) on a cloudy day. The surfers don't mind the weather; the Surf School has some business.










And there are also views to Cristo, and Sugarloaf.




Foggy or sunny, the cyclists are out.




The views from the beaches are amazing in any weather. We walked out to the Leme lookout and the Leme Fort on a foggy day.












And on a less cloudy day the beaches are still popular.








In several places along the beaches, John spotted temporary sprinkler systems getting their water from a well-and-pump combo. His conjecture is they are used to cool the sand for walkers.




Bonus ginormous beach pano. ;-)