Copacabana Beach

·        Enjoy sea and sand at the Copacabana Beach

·        Gaze on the sand sculptures at Ipanema Beach

·        Appreciate the well-heeled atmosphere of Leblon Beach

The beaches of Zona Sul are symbols of Rio across the globe, possessing a reputation for laid-back athleticism. Go with your private guide on a journey to appreciate the three elite beaches of Rio, with enough time to have a sunbath and swim on each. 

Copacabana has a style all to itself. The king of Rio’s beaches, walking along its Portuguese pavement will bring you in touch with the city’s beachside style of living. Going past the famous Copacabana Palace, and the lesser-known but arguably more important Forte de Copacabana, your guide will be able to tell you about why both are icons in their own way. The beach itself is a joy to walk on, and your guide will be happy to recommend spots to relax where there are not too many people.

Most people have heard of Ipanema, if only through a certain bossa nova song made famous by Frank Sinatra. The girl from Ipanema is a well-known Brazilian character, and the beach is indeed an excellent place to watch cariocas pass by. Each postos has its own personality and it is definitely worth keeping an eye out for the sand sculptures that accompany the running tracks. 

Leblon has a lengthy past as Rio’s well-heeled beach. Next to the wealthiest part of Rio, it is very popular with people who are aiming to improve their physique. Stepping over its pristine sand, your guide will be happy to answer any questions you have about Brazilian’s relationship with the beach, or recommend the best kiosks to get a drink with which to watch the world go by.   

·        Start in the historic centre at the Praça XV

·        Take in the view of Rio from the statue of Christ the Redeemer

·        Enjoy the sea and sand at the beautiful Copacabana Beach

·        Go up Sugar Loaf Mountain in a cable car

Rio has a lot of offer the first-time visitor, so much that it can be tricky to fit it into a week; or even a day. Nevertheless, there are certain parts of the city which positively scream they are part of the Rio experience. Join your personal guide as they take you between those attractions, in a private car, on a collection of experiences that will last forever. 

The early history of the Portuguese is one of conflict and loss, as they fought both the indigenous Tupi inhabitants and the French. When they chose to settle though, they chose a site which now bears some of the best colonial architecture in all of Brazil. Walking around the area surrounding Praca XV, your guide will be able to tell you the exciting history of Rio from its days as a far-flung outpost of the Portuguese Empire to those as its capital. Pointing out the Paco Imperial, where King Joao VI chose to live and the abolition of slavery was announced by his great-granddaughter, they will also show you the Old Cathedral where Emperors Pedro I and Pedro II were crowned. 

Taking you inland to the neighbourhood of Cosme Velho, your guide will take you up to the top of Corcovado Mountain by the iconic rack railway. After finishing a journey where you saw the city fall away beneath you, there is only a short walk to the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer. This immense figure, which recalls Leonardo Da Vinci’s studies of the human body, stands over the city and is a symbol of both Rio and Brazil. 

Venturing back down Corcovado, your guide will take you along to the Copacabana Beach. Here the ideal of a relaxed, prosperous Brazil becomes a reality in Rio’s wealthy quarter. After seeing the sights of the neighbourhood – not least the famous Hotel Copacabana – there will be plenty of time to saunter, sunbathe and swim. When you are finished, there will be a scenic drive along the coast to Sugar Loaf Mountain. The location of both Rio’s highest point, you will go up to the top by cable car. Known internationally for its role in the film Moonraker as the site of a fight between James Bond and Jaws, the cable car will take you above the jungle to the mountain’s peak. Once there you will have a superb view of the city from one of its most magnificent spots.