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Home / Beaches / Copacabana Beach

Copacabana Beach

Пляж Копакабана
Brazil · Beach · Rio de Janeiro
moderate
Best month: January

Best for

Ideal for tourists wanting to experience the atmosphere of Rio de Janeiro with its energy and diversity. Suitable for lovers of urban beach holidays. Not suitable for those seeking solitude and quiet.

Best month

January

Water
+24.0°C
Length
4 000 m
The most famous beach in Rio de Janeiro and one of the most well-known in the world. It features a 4-kilometre arc of golden sand and a lively atmosphere, popular for swimming and walks.
Surface
sand
Waves
moderate
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
The most famous beach in Rio de Janeiro and one of the most well-known in the world. It features a 4-kilometre arc of golden sand and a lively atmosphere, popular for swimming and walks.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • World-famous beach
  • Golden sand
  • Well-developed infrastructure
  • Many restaurants and bars
  • Lifeguards
  • Volleyball and football
  • Close to hotels

Cons

  • Crowded
  • Noisy
  • High prices
  • Theft possible
  • Water not always clean
  • Overcrowded at weekends
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for tourists wanting to experience the atmosphere of Rio de Janeiro with its energy and diversity. Suitable for lovers of urban beach holidays. Not suitable for those seeking solitude and quiet.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Copacabana is the most famous beach in the world, a symbol of Rio de Janeiro with its iconic mosaic promenade, hotels and 24-hour life.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
golden
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
30 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
4 000 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
blue
Water Clarity
moderate
Average Water Temp
+24.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+27.0 °C
Wave Type
moderate
Wave Height
0.8 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
December January
Season end
February March
Best month
January
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
moderate
Water Quality
Water purity rating
moderate
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
moderate
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
caution
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
3.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
Caution: theft of bags and phones on the beach, especially in the evening and in crowds. Do not leave valuables unattended.
Dangerous creatures
jellyfish
Insurance & Connectivity
Get travel insurance and mobile internet before your trip
Travel insurance
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Flight compensation
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
Yes
Umbrellas
Yes
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
Yes
First Aid
Yes
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Kids Playground
Yes
Sports Ground
Yes
Restaurants Nearby
100 pcs
Best restaurants

Demi Glace

French

Exquisite French cuisine restaurant 650 m from the beach.

Hachiko

Japanese

Japanese cuisine restaurant 450 m from the beach.

Confeitaria Colombo

Brazilian

Legendary patisserie with traditional Brazilian desserts.

Nearby cuisines

Brazilian

Traditional Brazilian cuisine with seafood and grilled dishes.

Must try: Feijoada, moqueca, picanha

French

Exquisite French cuisine in Copacabana restaurants.

Must try: Oysters, steak tartare, croissants

Japanese

Japanese cuisine with sushi and sashimi.

Must try: Sushi, sashimi, tempura

Seafood

Fresh seafood from the Atlantic.

Must try: Shrimp, lobster, grilled fish
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
vibrant
Crowd Level
overcrowded
Silence Level
noisy
Sunset Quality
exceptional
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
little
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
No
Diving
No
Surfing
Yes
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Flip-flops Cash First aid kit
Best Time to Swim
In the morning before 10:00 there are fewer people and the water is calmer. In the evening — beautiful sunsets and vibrant atmosphere.
Local Rules
Do not leave valuables unattended. Keep the beach clean.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Mosaic Promenade

Famous Copacabana promenade with a mosaic pattern.

Copacabana Fort

Military fort with panoramic views of the beach.

Sugarloaf Mountain

One of Rio-s main attractions.

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Copacabana Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — blue, clarity moderate, average temperature +24.0°C, warms up to +27.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Copacabana Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — moderate. Average wave height — 0.8 m.
Copacabana Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 30 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Copacabana Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — golden. Texture — fine. Beach length — 4 000 metres.
Copacabana Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in December, January. It ends in February, March. The best month for a holiday is January. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Copacabana Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as moderate. Rip currents are likely — swim only in designated areas. Jellyfish risk — moderate. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Copacabana Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: jellyfish. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Copacabana Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, changing rooms, parking, Wi-Fi, kids playground, sports ground. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Copacabana Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
Lifeguards are on duty on the beach — an important safety factor. A first aid station is available.
Copacabana Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Demi Glace, Hachiko, Confeitaria Colombo. Cuisines available: Brazilian, French, Japanese, Seafood. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Copacabana Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Flip-flops, Cash, First aid kit.
Copacabana Beach: when is the best time to swim?
In the morning before 10:00 there are fewer people and the water is calmer. In the evening — beautiful sunsets and vibrant atmosphere.
Copacabana Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Do not leave valuables unattended. Keep the beach clean.
Copacabana Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: surfing, kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Copacabana Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for tourists wanting to experience the atmosphere of Rio de Janeiro with its energy and diversity. Suitable for lovers of urban beach holidays. Not suitable for those seeking solitude and quiet.
Copacabana Beach: what makes this beach unique?
Copacabana is the most famous beach in the world, a symbol of Rio de Janeiro with its iconic mosaic promenade, hotels and 24-hour life.
Copacabana Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: World-famous beach, Golden sand, Well-developed infrastructure, Many restaurants and bars, Lifeguards, Volleyball and football, Close to hotels. Cons: Crowded, Noisy, High prices, Theft possible, Water not always clean, Overcrowded at weekends.
Copacabana Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Mosaic Promenade, Copacabana Fort, Sugarloaf Mountain. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Copacabana Beach: how do I get to the city of Rio de Janeiro?
The beach is located near the city of Rio de Janeiro. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Rio de Janeiro.

City

Rio de Janeiro

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.