The 5 Best Beaches in the State of Rio de Janeiro

It is not a secret to anyone that Rio de Janeiro is the place for Brazil’s favorite beaches. We could easily choose the 25 best beaches in Rio, as it is very hard to pick just a few paradise locations in this beautiful state. However, we have decided to help travelers out there to make the best choices, so you can trust these are indeed the best options if you would like to visit Rio and are in a mood for a sunbath on the white-sand beaches of Rio.

The coast of Rio de Janeiro

The coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro is divided into three main areas: the Metropolitan Area (city of Rio de Janeiro and other smaller cities nearby), Costa do Sol (“The Sun Coast” – the Northern coast), and Costa Verde (“Green Coast” – the Southern coast). It is possible to visit many beaches in just one weekend in Rio, but if you are able to stay there for a little while, you will not be disappointed.

Here are Caminhos’ tips for 5 great beaches in Rio de Janeiro for those who want to visit a few of these amazing places.

1. Lopes Mendes – Ilha Grande

Travelers chose Lopes Mendes as #2 in the 2016 “Best Beaches in Brazil” list on TripAdvisor.

Ilha Grande is an island on the South Coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro. It has over 100 beaches around its coast. All of them are very beautiful and have clear blue water and a tropical paradise vibe. To get there, you need to go to Angra dos Reis and take a boat to the island.

While in Ilha Grande, you can only access Lopes Mendes by taking one of the many trails on the island. The shortest trail takes around 30 minutes of a medium-difficulty hike but is sure worth the effort.

Lopes Mendes is one of Ilha Grande’s longest beaches and it is also the surfers favorite choice.

2. Ipanema Beach – City of Rio de Janeiro

Ipanema Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Thousands of people visit it every day and foreigners seem to particularly like it. Many people play soccer, beach volleyball, and footvolley at Ipanema beach, as well as “frescobol” (another sport that originated in Rio, played with wooden rackets and rubber balls).

During the winter, the surf can reach nine feet. Usually, the water is a clear light-blue, so beautiful it does not look like we are in the middle of one of the biggest cities in the world.

Ipanema attracts so many tourists from all across the globe that is now the place for a few Portuguese language schools in Rio, such as Caminhos Language Centre, which not only teaches Brazilian Portuguese to foreigners but also shows them how to be a true Carioca.

3. Praia do Forte – Cabo Frio

Praia do Forte is the main beach in Cabo Frio. Therefore, it is also the most crowded. But, of course, if you do not go there during the weekends and holidays, you can enjoy a peaceful beach with clear blue water and calm waves. This is the right choice to enjoy the day with the whole family.

Cabo Frio is 160 km away from the City of Rio de Janeiro, around a 3-hour drive. It is one of the largest cities on the Sun Coast, with a population of over 200,000 people. Still, the major economic activities in the city are tourism and fishing.

4. Praia do Forno – Arraial do Cabo

To get to Praia do Forno you need to rent a boat there or walk through a small mountain. Hiking there is the perfect choice to take amazing pictures, but if the weather is too hot, you might feel a bit uncomfortable.

Praia do Forno is very beautiful and the shallow water makes it the perfect place to relax. Also, you can swim with fish and sea turtles during your visit.

People love to visit Arraial do Cabo to scuba diving — the small town is famous for being the best diving spot in the state and one of the best in the country. Turquoise beaches and fine white sands are ordinary features of the area.

5. Prainha – City of Rio de Janeiro

On your way to Prainha, you will find photogenic landscapes and breathtaking views. In the middle of a big city such as Rio de Janeiro, it is still possible to find wild beaches – the rain forest and the coast mix together so well it feels like you are in a place far away from civilization.

There is no public transportation reaching Prainha, so you must go there by car. This beach is located in an environmental protection area, which in Brazil means the primary intent of said place is environmental protection itself, even if there are a few constructions nearby.

Best Beaches in the City of Rio de Janeiro

If you do not have time to travel around the state of Rio de Janeiro, check this blog post for the best beaches within the city of Rio and explore amazing places nearby.