Traveler Description
Popularized by the song "The Girl from Ipanema," this world-famous beach gives foreign visitors a sense of life in Rio, displaying a cross-section of different lifestyles, chic boutiques and eateries and luxurious apartment buildings.


Traveler Reviews

Acai Acai
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Aug 27, 2008


Ipanema, is as beautiful as it looks in the photographs. I enjoyed my time sitting on the beach and people watching. If your hanging out on ipanema you have to try some ACAI, it's a brazillian fruit. The Acai on the beach is similar to snow cone, and is super good. So when you hear a guy with something strapped around his neck and his screaming something funny, stop him and order two!

Great Place to go. I strongly disagree with the last review
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Jul 27, 2008


I just got back from 3 weeks in Brazil part of it was 9 days in Rio. My boyfriend and I had rented an Apartment in Ipanema beach. Our brazilian friend had got us a great deal on a self catering apartment. I loved the area. so many shops and restaurants, wash club to use the washing machines, every sunday there is a hippy fair which is a must to visit. try the "Acarajee" a Bahiane speciality. Also the sugar cane juice and the local sweet cakes and puddings. If you can try the Tapioca pancakes as well. Throughout the week there are food markets which was so good to go to, buy produce and taste as well. We swam and chilled on the beach. Each place on the beach is numbered. We spent a lot of the time at number 8. It is advisable to do so as a tourist. Calm and not dangerous. i spent 2 days alone whilst my boyfriend went on tours. I have made a good contact for Hang gliding in Rio, Tours and a guide who can take you to places the tourist do not get to see our visit or taste in Rio. I STRONGLY DISAGREE with the last comment. A very poor review of what is a beautiful part of the world. Saira in London : sylalloo@yahoo.co.uk

A bad experience on the Rio beach
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Jan 15, 2008


A word of caution to would be travelers to this area, including Copacabana Beach as well. On our first day of arrival in Rio, my wife and I decided to walk on the beautiful beach of Ipanema. On our way onto the beach we were accosted by three young toughs who decided that we would be easy prey for their foraging, and they were correct. They grabbed, pushed, and pulled until they were able to wrest away our cameras and some small amount of cash that I thought would be safer in my camera bag vs. my wallet. They were able to take off on their bikes while some folks just looked on, probably too scared to interfere. With some help I was able to get to a polioce station, but that was an exercise in futility as they could have cared less. There were two other couples in the station who suffered similar assaults, but probably by others. This is not to say that the folks are all bad, but be alert and wise - don't look like a tourist and don't flaunt any jewelry (we didn't, fortunately). Enjoy it and keep a sharp outlook.

The most carioca beach of the city
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Jun 25, 2007


Ipanema is a wonderfull beach with beautifull and cool people. You can see the Arpoador in your left and Leblon in your right. Do not miss it when visiting Rio de Janeiro.

Made to Ipanema
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on May 8, 2007


Its a beautiful beach with thick sand and its quite wide.It can become crowded. Alot is going at the beach, there are vendors selling towels and beach wear, coconut water,and then people playing soccer. It has beautiful scenery and it VERY SAFE. It was nothing like all the reports we heard. Even at night people were walking around and on the pavillion along the beach too. The water was very clean but it can become rough at times. I think if you are into beaching and not much else this is a great destination. We also found it clean. Ellen at newnewyorker dot com did it again for me!