On the other side of the point from Forte de Copacabana, the lively waters off the Praia do Arpoador are popular with families and the elderly, as the ocean here is slightly calmer than at Ipanema, which is a couple of kilometres away.
Leblon lies beyond Ipanema, and the beaches in these areas are stupendous, much more tranquil than Copacabana, and a natural highlight of a Brazilian beaches tour. The only bar and restaurant on the beachfront is Caneco, at the far end of Leblon, a good spot to aim for anyway, as you’ll enjoy a fine view towards Ipanema from here.
As with Copacabana, Ipanema’s beach is unofficially divided according to the supposed interests of its users. The stretch of sand east from Rua Farme de Amoedo to Rua Teixeira de Melo, around Posto 8, is where gay men are concentrated, while the nearby Posto 9 is where artists and intellectuals ponder life.
On Sunday, the seafront roads, Avenida Vieira Souto in Ipanema and Avenida Delfim in Leblon, are closed to traffic and given over to strollers, skateboarders, and rollerbladers.
