Copacabana Beach is considered one of the most popular not only in Brazil, but throughout the world. He, along with the statue of Christ the Redeemer, has long been the hallmark of the country.

This is a place where both tourists and locals gather, where the music never stops and the fun never stops, where you can not only sunbathe, but also get acquainted with the traditions and customs of the Brazilians.

Popularity came to him relatively recently, in the 50s of the last century. Somehow by chance the beautiful coast was chosen by artists, filmmakers, musicians. Since then, the coast has always remained not only a beach, but a cultural center. Festivals and concerts are constantly held here. One of the most significant took place in 2006 - then the Rolling Stones managed to gather more than 2 million fans at the same time. By the way, the bikini fashion, which quickly spread all over the world, also originated in Copacabana.

As for today, this beach can rightly be called one of the busiest in the world. Everyone can find entertainment to their liking. Fans of extreme sports traditionally try to cope with surfing, athletes play football and volleyball, romantics and lovers of peace go on boat trips. In addition, Copacabana is famous for its sand figures, which constantly appear here and there. Those who wish can even take part in a master class and feel like a real architect.

Along the coast there are a huge number of cafes and restaurants where you can chat over a glass of cocktail, have a bite to eat and even watch football on the big screen. The most popular is the Copacabana, where the colorful atmosphere 30-40s of the XX century. A great option for those who want not only to have lunch, but also to make a real trip in a time machine.

As the sun sets, Copacabana becomes even busier than during the day. In the evening, numerous nightclubs open their doors, where world-famous DJs play tracks.

And, of course, speaking of Copacabana, one cannot fail to mention how the beach is transformed into new year's eve. Millions of people come here dressed exclusively in white. Roses and gladioli are launched into the sea. At midnight, everyone traditionally hugs and drinks champagne, and fireworks and salutes soar into the sky.

Attractions near Copacabana Beach

Rest on the beach of Copacabana can be combined with a visit to the fort-museum of the same name. In addition, not so far, within a radius of 4 kilometers, are " Business Cards» Rio de Janeiro - Mountain sugar loaf, The statue of Christ the Redeemer, located on top of the Corcovado mountain and another popular beach, Ipanema.

Where to stay

Tourists who want to breathe the air of Copacabana 24 hours a day can stay at one of the hotels located right on the coast. The most expensive is the luxurious five-star Copacabana Palace, where guests are offered not only to stay in luxury rooms, but also to take advantage of a wide range of services - from a private beach equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas to spas. Among our compatriots, the four-star Windsor Excelsior is traditionally popular, where, in addition to the traditional set of entertainment, there is a real Russian bath. Of the budget options, Windsor Copa and Bed & Breakfast Copacabana Joana deserve attention.

How to get to Copacabana beach

The easiest way to get to Copacabana beach is by metro. The nearest stations are Cardeal Arcoverde and Siqueira Campos. Having risen from the subway, you have to walk several blocks on foot. Those who are not attracted to walks can use taxi services.

There is nothing better than to smell the ocean in the morning, hear its gentle whisper, enjoy the breeze and, instead of the usual shower, just swim in the pleasant sea waves. Oddly enough, but this is not fantasy, this is reality, and for many coastal cities of the planet. At least for Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, this has long become a daily routine, because here hotels and residential high-rise buildings practically run into the Atlantic Ocean, leaving only a strip of chic sandy beaches between themselves and the sea. The beaches in these places are always popular. But one of them we still note in particular.

Copacabana Beach - one of the most famous beaches in the world - is located in Rio de Janeiro on the Atlantic coast, near the entrance to Guanabara Bay. This beautiful beach with an average width of about 100 meters, it stretches for as much as 4 kilometers, and every day it warms and entertains thousands of people, both locals and tourists.

Copacabana beach on the map

• Geographic coordinates (-22.972638, -43.184211)
• The distance from the capital of Brazil, the city of Brasilia, is approximately 950 km in a straight line.
• The nearest airport is Santos Dumont, about 7 km north.

Copacabana is not only a beach, but also the eponymous area of ​​Rio de Janeiro, which is located immediately behind the beach. The area covers an area of ​​just under 8 km2. About 160,000 people live here, and about 27% of them are people over 60 years old.

The famous Avenida Atlantica promenade runs along the outer part of the Copacabana beach, where mass events, holidays, concerts and sports competitions are held annually. Sand sculpture festivals held on the beach invariably delight numerous visitors.

Fireworks in Rio de Janeiro during New Year's celebrations are among the largest in the world. It lasts 15-20 minutes. About 2 million people go to Copacabana Beach to see this unforgettable sight. The festival is accompanied by a concert that runs all night. This celebration of life has become one of the most important tourist attractions of the city and the beach. Such an event attracts local residents and travelers from all over the world. As a rule, city hotels are fully booked at this time.

The movement on the beach does not stop for a minute. Year-round, at any time of the day or night, life is in full swing here. At night, both Avenida Atlantica and partially the beach are illuminated.
Over 40 different bus routes passing through Copacabana. There are three metro stations in the area: Cantagalo, Siqueira Campos and Cardeal Arcoverde.

Where the name Copacabana came from is not known for certain. There are several assumptions.
In the middle of the 18th century, a chapel of the holy virgin from the city of Copacabana in Bolivia was built in these places. A little later, a fishing village appeared in these places. She became known as Copacabana.
According to some sources, the word Copacabana came from the words copac and cabana, which can be translated from the Quechua Indian language as “blue beach”. According to another version, it comes from kopa and kahuana, from the dialect of the Aymara Indians it translates as "view of the lake." There is also an assumption that the origin of the name is associated with the god of fertility Kotakawana, who often appeared in ancient mythology Indians who lived in the foothills of the Andes.

The beach, beautiful and untouched by civilization, has been here since ancient times, but its development by man began only in the 20th century. Almost immediately, he became very popular among the local elite. Poets, artists, actors, politicians and just rich people lived in the prestigious area of ​​Copacabana. By the way, it should be added that recently the number of crimes has increased here. Drug addiction and robbery greatly reduce the popularity of this place.
Unfortunately, Copacabana Beach is one of the most dangerous beaches in the world. These are robberies, and kidnapping (kidnapping), sharks that periodically appear in the waters of the beach. Even sea pirates sometimes operate. According to police data, the Copacabana area is home to the largest number of drug lords and big mafia bosses.

Now all the hotels located near the Copacabana beach provide maximum safety for their guests and excellent service. A holiday every day, a chic beach and an endless ocean - this already provides Copacabana.
Despite this, tourists should still be vigilant.

In addition to the beach itself, there is something to see in Copacabana. In the southern part of the beach there is a statue of the famous Brazilian poet and journalist Carlos Drummond de Andrade (in the original Carlos Drummond de Andrade), who lived in Rio de Janeiro.

Not far from the statue, on a small promontory, is Copacabana Fort, built in the early 20th century and part of the Coast Guard complex.

In the northern part of the beach there is a fort Duque de Caxias (in the original Duque de Caxias) built in 1779 to protect against the attack of the Spaniards. Here, 250 meters to the west, there is a sculpture dedicated to Clarice Lispector, one of the most famous writers in Brazil.

Not far from the beach is perhaps the most famous and recognizable symbol of Rio de Janeiro and all of Brazil - the Statue of Christ the Redeemer on Mount Corcovado.

If you have time (and you simply have to find it somewhere to visit this attraction), do not forget to visit another attraction of Rio de Janeiro - this is the famous Selarona Stairs. It is located 6 km straight north from the beach.

1. The beach is famous for its massive open-air concerts. In 2006, about 2 million people gathered here at the concert of the famous Rolling Stones. The concert was then broadcast live.
2. At various times, performances by famous musicians took place on Copacabana Beach, including Mick Jagger, Elton John and Lenny Kravitz. But the record holder was the performance of Rod Stewart in 1994. Then there were more than 4 million people on the beach. This concert even entered the Guinness Book of Records.
3. When Rio de Janeiro was the capital of Brazil, Copacabana was considered one of its best areas.
4. On April 26, 1949, Magdalena's ship broke in two while she was being towed into the harbor of Rio de Janeiro. Most of the cargo of oranges was carried to Copacabana beach. By the way, this was the first and only flight of this ship. Apart from oranges and frozen meat, no one was hurt in this crash.
5. In August 2016, Copacabana Beach was the venue for the beach volleyball tournament at the 31st Summer Olympic Games in Rio.
6. Brazilians often call Copacabana beach "Princess of the Sea"
7. Many believe that the bikini (separate women's swimsuit) first appeared on Copacabana beach.

Copacabana beach photo

Length: 4,000 meters.

The legendary Brazilian beach of Copacabana, located in Rio de Janeiro, is also one of the most dangerous to visit. It is not poisonous jellyfish and wild animals that should be feared here, but ordinary criminals; every day, dozens of people become victims of robbers on the coast. Going to a crowded beach, you should not take absolutely no valuables with you. Those who relax on the beach alone are highly discouraged from leaving even personal clothes and towels unattended on the coast, they can easily be stolen.

The length of the beach is quite large and is about 4,000 meters. An incredibly beautiful Avenida Atlantica promenade with many cozy restaurants and shops runs along it. It is hard to imagine that a few decades ago, on the site of a huge beach resort, there was a small fishing village of Copacabana. Over the past decades, this area has been distinguished not only by its actively developing infrastructure, but also by the flourishing of illegal activities.

Drugs, prostitution, a huge number of scammers and pickpockets - these are just a few not the best distinctive features popular Brazilian beach. If you follow certain precautions, a holiday on the coast can be quite safe. During the rest, you should not communicate with strangers and conclude any deals with them. You should take as few valuable things as possible to the beach with you and in no case leave them unattended.

Copacabana Beach and attractions around

A short guide to tour spots in the Copacabana Beach area. We advise you to pay attention to an excellent example of Brazilian architecture - the Palácio Guanabara palace complex not far away,. We also recommend taking a walk in Rio de Janeiro along the paths of the beautiful Rio de Janeiro Zoo. It would also be interesting to explore in Rio de Janeiro ancient temple Basílica da Imaculada Conceição located in the distance .

Of course, in these places it would be interesting to linger. Away from Copacabana Beach (), a chic Play City amusement park has settled down in Rio de Janeiro. For lovers of the deep sea, we suggest visiting the excellent Aquário do Zoo do Rio de Janeiro aquarium park in Brazil, located at a distance. In addition, the upscale art gallery of Rio de Janeiro Museum of Modern Art Rio de Janeiro (MAM) holds its exhibitions of paintings only. The grandiose castle-fortress Ilha Fiscal can be reached in . In addition, it would be great to also organize shopping in Rio de Janeiro on the nearby Leblon shopping street. Be sure to visit natural Park Parque Natural Municipal José Guilherme Merquior, which is a mirror of the flora and landscapes of Brazil. Toward the end, wrap up a meal at the Michelin-starred restaurant Cipriani nearby, .

Embankment of Copacabana

Initially, a fishing village was located on the site of the beach. In the middle of the 18th century, a chapel was built here, named after a Bolivian maiden from the city of Copacabana. Soon the village itself was renamed from Sakupenapan to Copacabana. The coastal zone became a full-fledged part of Rio de Janeiro at the end of the 19th century after the launch of the tram through the Real Grandes tunnel. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Avenida Atlantica embankment was built. Today it is visited annually by 3 million tourists. And the locals call Copacabana beach "the princess of the sea." And not in vain, because according to a survey by the popular online magazine AskMen, the beach is recognized as one of the most beautiful on earth, where tropical exoticism and urban landscapes of Rio are harmoniously combined.

Where to stay

A beautiful and old hotel on the coast is the five-star Copacabana Palace. Rooms are decorated in a classic English style with antique furniture. The bathrooms are marble and the beds in each apartment are king-size. The hotel has 3 restaurants and a spa and wellness centre. A double suite with a beach view will cost 599 USD.

Brazilian boys playing with a ball

There are also more economical options. For example, the Windsor Copa is only 300 meters from the beach. Each room has an LCD TV, minibar, bathroom with hairdryer, work desk and free Wi-Fi. Breakfast - "buffet" with fruits and juices. A gym is available to guests. The price for a standard double room is 113 USD.

Small cafe on the waterfront

Where to eat

Luxury Breakfast at Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Beachfront

Copacabana beach has a wide variety of cafes, bars, restaurants and eateries. The restaurant-rodozio "Carretao" is considered to be a cult institution. Here you can taste typical Brazilian dishes, such as feijoada - pork with black bean stew. The dish is served with fried flour and white rice. If you prefer a retro style in the interior - welcome to the Copacabana establishment. It recreates the atmosphere of the fifties, when the beach was a favorite vacation spot for bohemia. Be sure to order a caipirinha at the bar - a refreshing alcoholic cocktail made from lemon, lime, ice, cane sugar and cachaça. But be careful - they get drunk quickly!

On the embankment, next to the five-star hotel Copacabana Palace, there is a restaurant "Churaskaria". The establishment has excellent value for money. For only 35 USD, you can have a hearty lunch, as the fee is charged only for admission, drinks and desserts. And the waiters put the main dishes on a plate for free until the visitors stop them. Salads, sushi, rolls, salmon tartare, beef carpaccio and much more delicious and fresh.

Entertainment

Life on Copacabana boils all year round, without fading for a second. Everyone will find here entertainment to their liking. Fans of active pastime will try their hand at surfing and beach volleyball. And football fans will be able to enjoy the game of their favorite team, as tournaments are often held here. The 2016 Olympics will take place in Rio. Some types of competitions will traditionally be held on the beach.

From November to April, the high season reigns at Copacabana. Millions of tourists come here to meet an unforgettable New Year and visit the famous Brazilian carnival. The beach also acts as a concert venue for world famous musicians. Lenny Kravitz, Mick Jagger and Elton John performed here. In 1994, Rod Stewart's concert was entered into the Guinness Book of Records as the largest show on the planet.

Nightlife on Avenida Atlantica is more intense than daytime. Discotheque 2A2 is a popular place among young people. Another of its competitors is the Six Club. It is visited not only by visitors, but also by local residents. The institution has 5 bars and 3 dance floors.

• Copacabana beach is the largest in the world. Avenida Atlantica runs along its promenade, where all festive processions in Rio de Janeiro take place.
• In the twenties of the last century, this area was hidden from human eyes: parrots flew here, palm trees grew, and Copacabana looked like heaven on earth. Only after cutting down the tunnel that connected the coastal zone with Rio, the territory began to be developed. Wild beach immediately became a prestigious area of ​​the city, being built up with hotels and entertainment centers.

Copacabana(port. Praia de Copacabana) - famous all over the world beach, stretching in a graceful arc in the urban area of ​​​​the same name in the southern part of the former capital of Brazil, (port. Rio de Janeiro).

Located at the entrance to (port. Guanabara), which is south of the city center. The sandy strip more than 4 km long is the longest beach in the world and one of the main attractions of the city. Beach and wide promenade Avenida Atlantica” (port. Avenida Atlântica) are never empty, being a favorite vacation spot for local residents and numerous tourists.

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origin of name

The name came from a fishing village that used to be here, which, in turn, was named after the Bolivian city.

The inhabitants themselves call their famous beach "Princesinha do Mar" (from the port. "Princess of the Sea"), admiring its splendor.

There are several versions regarding the origin of the name of the city of Copacabana. According to one version, the name comes from the words "copac" and "cabana" from the language of the era, and means "Blue Beach". According to another version, the name was formed from the words of the language "koppa" and "kahuana", which means "View of the lake".

Copacabana

Bits of history

The history of Copacabana dates back to the 50s of the 18th century, when a new chapel was erected in the town of Sakupenapana in honor of the patron saint of the Bolivian town of Copacabana, who later gave the name to the fishing village. In 1892, after the opening of the Real grandeza tunnel and the launch of the tram line, the village connected with the city of Rio de Janeiro, becoming one of its districts.

In 1904, the construction of the embankment began. The Copacabana area reached its true heyday in the 50s and 60s of the twentieth century, when it attracted the attention of representatives of the bohemian world, becoming home to hundreds of Brazilian artists, artists, and writers. Later, politicians, businessmen and just very wealthy people began to settle in the prestigious area.

Sadly, in recent decades, illegal types of earnings have flourished here, accompanying the development of foreign tourism, such as street robberies, drug trafficking, prostitution - all this, by no means, has added popularity to the once elite area.

Modern Copacabana

Nevertheless, today the famous beach is the largest concert venue, where world famous artists have performed more than once. For example, in December 1994, an amazing show of the English rock musician, singer and composer Rod Stewart took place right here, which gathered more than 4 million viewers to listen to. This musical event was even included in the Guinness Book of Records. And in February 2006, a grandiose concert of the legendary The Rolling Stones took place here, which was attended by more than 2 million people.

Thanks to the installed modern artificial lighting system, the beach is suitable for various cultural events around the clock. The undoubted decoration of the grandiose sand arc are white sand sculptures sculpted by artists. The masters of sand sculpture show simply incredible imagination, and new creations from snow-white sand regularly appear here, bringing the audience into indescribable delight.

Copacabana is a round-the-clock and year-round holiday that does not stop for a moment, encouraging you to enjoy life at any time!

The world's largest beach hosts festivities with traditionally colorful Brazilian masquerades, carnival parades and colorful fireworks. Also, international volleyball tournaments are held here, future stars of Brazilian football train and celebrate New Year holidays Brazilians and millions of tourists traditionally dressed in white. In general, the celebration of the New Year at Copacabana is an absolutely unforgettable event: these are colorful and incendiary national festivities, fascinating, fantastically beautiful fireworks over the Atlantic Ocean, restaurants, bars, clubs and discos that work all night.

The beach has a developed infrastructure of a large number of hotels, retail space, restaurants and sports facilities. Numerous hotels are located along the waterfront, famous for their impeccable service and a wide range of price ranges that can satisfy every visitor.

Copacabana - perfect place rest for those who, like the notorious Ostap Bender, are attracted by the bewitching color of Rio and Brazil as a whole.

This is a place of unceasing bright celebration, sparkling parties and delightful beach holiday that will not leave indifferent any tourist.

• Of course, the word "beach" evokes many positive associations: summer, holidays, holidays, sea, surf music, peace and serenity. But it must be remembered that not all beaches are safe. The most common danger is, of course, sharks. However, the shark is not the only threat to beach lovers. Forbes has compiled a list of the most dangerous beaches in the world, visiting which can lead to disastrous consequences for health and life. One of the top positions in this list is occupied by Copacabana. Formerly a vacation spot for the beau monde in the middle of the 20th century, today Capacabana is considered by the Brazilian authorities to be a problem area with a rampant crime rate: these are pirate seizures of ships, drug trafficking, robberies, prostitution, rape and even kidnapping.
• According to the Brazilian police, it is in the Copacabana area that the most a large number of drug lords and representatives of mafia structures.
• Fortunately, modern hotels located on the territory of Copacabana fully provide their guests with security, provide impeccable service, a magnificent beach and a constant sense of celebration.
• All year round in this area of ​​Rio, tourists have the opportunity to find entertainment for every taste. During the day you can sunbathe on the golden sand and swim in the warm Atlantic waves, go surfing and go boating. Those who wish are happy to play beach football and volleyball, and thrill-seekers are invited to all kinds of exciting attractions. Leisure here it continues at night, under the bright light of artificial lighting.
• At Copacabana you can see all the latest beach fashion trends. Interestingly, it was on Copacabana that a bikini was first recorded - a separate swimsuit. And today on a beautiful beach, the most beautiful in South America, there is something to be surprised and admire!