Ipanema 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.   

·        Experience the great range of Brazilian cuisine at the Cobal do Humaitá

·        Talk to the stallholders at the Cobol do Leblon

·        Relax at the Hippie Fair by Ipanema Beach

The markets of the Zona Sul are a great way to experience Rio away from the bustle of the main sites. Known for their bustle, they are a wonderful place to get the vibe of the city. Going between them all in a private car with your guide, who will be happy to translate and haggle when needed, you will come across an eclectic mix of people and appreciate some of the hidden joys of being Brazilian. 

Food for the Soul

Visiting the Cobal do Humaitá, your guide will introduce you to a large food market where you will be able to try a range of different cuisines in this local party hub that occupies a full city block. Popular with locals – they make up an immense majority of the market’s clientele, it provides a place for stallholders to sell delicacies to the hungry, the thirsty and the greedy. Your guide will be happy to recommend their favourites before they take you to the Cobol do Leblon; a smaller market with a cosmopolitan air that is popular with refined locals. There are a range of stalls offering everything from flowers to artisan cheeses, as well as restaurants if you want something more substantial. 

It is not far from the Cobol do Leblon to the famous Hippie Fair of Ipanema in the Praca General Osório. Offering stalls selling anything from food to furniture, its counterculture vibe makes it a place to savour Rio’s beachside life. It is only a short walk from the market to Ipanema Beach – which most people know through the bossa nova song “The Girl from Ipanema” - where you can visit a kiosk to get some ice-cold coconut milk, served in the shell, and watch the cariocas go by.