I recently had the privilege of staying at the Lisetonga Hostel, located halfway up a pacified favela only two blocks from Copacabana Beach. You might be thinking to yourself – isn’t that dangerous? Aren’t those the slums? Did you see “Bad Boys 3” being filmed? How did you not get murdered? Well, while I walked out my front door the first morning to a warm welcome of three policemen armed with assault rifles, I felt fairly safe my entire week there. The locals and residents welcome tourists for the most part, as the money they bring with them boosts their economy. And as for the assault rifles? I believe it’s just a way that the police make sure everyone is regularly reminded that the neighborhood should remain no non-sense. The Copacabana Beach, on the other hand, is an entirely different beast altogether.
A Day At Copacabana
Located in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro, the four kilometer long Copacabana Beach is known as one of the most famous beaches in the world – and it definitely doesn’t disappoint. The night I arrived at the hostel, I met a few other travelers that were planning on hitting the beach the next day, so I decided to spend my first day in Rio with them; soaking in the sun, splashing in the waves, drinking down some beers, and playing a little volleyball. We went on a sunny weekday, which attracted a crowd that kept the beach busy, but not overly packed like the weekends can get. Therefore, I highly recommend going during the week so you don’t have to fight for a decent spot on the sand. Also, once you get settled down, don’t bother getting out of your seat if you need something. Locals constantly walk by selling everything from bottles of water and beer to shrimp kabobs and hammocks. If it’s something that can be sold in mass quantities, you can find it here (and it’s most likely delicious)!
Now, if you’re looking at the Atlantic Ocean in front of you, you’ll have Sugar Loaf mountain on your left and a bend in the land that leads to Ipanema on your right. Both of which are attractions of themselves and should not be missed. That being said, Copacabana is everything you dream of in a beach and more. Whether you enjoy surfing, sipping on coconuts, gazing at beautiful girls (or guys if that’s your thing), working on your sun tan, playing volleyball, drinking beers, or whatever – Copacabana has it! This is why you came to Rio de Janeiro after all, and you would be ridiculous to miss it.
Escadaria Selaron
After a day of relaxing on the beach, take a quick nap and prepare for a long night ahead of you. Don’t forget, this is South America. The party doesn’t even begin until after midnight! If you’re looking for the spot where the locals gather and the drinks flow like Iguaçu Falls, look no further than Lapa – a neighborhood in the center of Rio known for its historical monuments and amazing nightlife.
When my group arrived by bus shortly after midnight, we immediately became immersed in a crowd that had flooded the streets and neighborhood with excitement and life. All along the outside of the buildings, bars, and clubs were vendors selling a variety of different foods and alcoholic drinks that were both delicious and reasonably priced. We partook in a round of cheap caipirinhas and made our way to Escadaria Selarón, the world famous steps constructed of over 2,000 tiles from over 60 countries from around the world. We ended up mingling with locals for a couple of hours and learned not only about the steps, but also about where the party was headed next!
Copacabana Sunrise
After a brief stop at a local nightclub, we began to make our way back to the hostel around 4:30-5:00 AM and had the bus drop us off at the south end of Copacabana Beach. Trust me, you’ll want to do the same. The walk can take anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour to get back to the north side of the beach, but feel free to take your time. If you play your cards right, you’ll be able to feast your eyes on one of nature’s most amazing everyday gifts – the sunrise. I can’t describe in words what the sunrise over Copacabana is like. I simply cannot.
With nearly 24 hours of fun in the sun and a night out on the town, you’ll come to realize what makes this city so special. Is it the locals? The cuisine? The beach? The nightlife? Only you will know the answer. And it’s that answer that will make you want to keep coming back again and again.
