Ipanema means Rio all over the world. The beach runs from Arpoador to the Jardim de Alah canal, with the Dois Irmãos hill and Pedra da Gávea as a backdrop — one of the most beautiful views in the city. The neighborhood behind it brings together shops, cafés, bars and restaurants, in a mix of elegance and beach life.
The name is of Tupi origin and is often translated as “bad water”, although there are other interpretations. International fame came with “The Girl from Ipanema” (“Garota de Ipanema”), written in 1962 by Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes and inspired by Helô Pinheiro, a young local who walked by on her way to the beach. The 1964 album “Getz/Gilberto” took the song around the world.
The beach is divided by lifeguard posts, and each stretch has its own crowd. Posto 9 became famous in the 1970s and 1980s as a haunt of the counterculture, artists, journalists and intellectuals. Near Rua Farme de Amoedo is the stretch most associated with the LGBTQ+ community, with a welcoming and diverse atmosphere.
Away from the sand, Ipanema is also worth exploring. Rua Visconde de Pirajá is lined with shops and cafés, and the side streets have bars and restaurants for every taste. On Sundays, the Feira Hippie (Hippie Fair) at Praça General Osório gathers crafts, art, clothing and traditional food.
The highlight is the mix of beach and scenery: a swim facing Dois Irmãos, a coconut water at a kiosk and the sunset seen from the sand or from Arpoador next door. One block from the beach is the bar where, as the story goes, the neighborhood’s most famous song began to take shape.
Tips: arrange meeting points by post number. Take only what you need to the sand, wear sunscreen and respect the beach warning flags. On sunny weekends the beach gets packed — arrive early for a good spot.