Come to Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janiero, Brazil and be absolutely entertained by the city's dynamic and fully energized district. Its golden beaches and azure waters, along with the playful and adventurous culture draws more than two million visitors the world over. And, as you experience Copacabana Beach for yourself, you will come to understand why it is one of the most popular beaches in the world.
The area is named after the patron saint of Bolivia, our Virgin Lady of Copacabana. It lies at the foot of the hills of spectacular Rio de Janiero, at its southern part. It spans the area from Lifeguard Watchtower Six down to Princesa Isabel Avenue. As for the beach, it is 4 kilometers of pristine coastline, starting from lifeguard watchtower two down to lifeguard watchtower six. Copacabana lies in between Ipanema and Leblon.
Everyday, you will see ladies and gents lazing and sunbathing, playing volleyball and beach soccer and just plainly, letting their hair down. With the number of people visiting the beach everyday, you will be hard put to find a place all your own. But this is actually part of Copacabana's charm – to see others and be seen, to be caught up in its unique energy, all while relaxing and taking in the sun. Aside from swimming and sunbathing, you can also indulge in a variety of water sports, as well as an enthusiastic game of volleyball or football. It also has plenty of opportunities to party, dine, explore and shop.
The beach also features two military forts located at both ends of the beach, Fort Duque de Caxais on one end and Fort Copacabana at the other. Fort Duque de Caxias dates back to 1779 while Fort Copacabana is 'newer', built only in 1914. The forts feature cannons that guarded the town from invaders. Come New Year's Eve, this is one of the best places for you to watch the fireworks display. Copacabana, after all, is known for its extravagant and highly-exciting New Year's Eve parties, which draw crowds from the whole world. Most of the revelers are clad in white or blue, which are the traditional colors to welcome the New Year. The celebrations include launching a boat into sea and jumping over seven waves for good luck.
Copacabana is not just a beach but a whole different culture, one that is all about partying 24/7. There are artistic and nightlife districts that add to the dynamism of the area. The architecture at the Copacabana Beach and the surrounding sites are mostly inspired by neo-classical and art-nouveau traditions. A good example is the Copacabana Palace Hotel. As for the vivacious nightlife, there are plenty of places to party and grab a drink.
For fishing enthusiasts, you can go to the fisherman's corner where you can join local fisherman as they pull their nets out of the ocean. Now, if you are into shopping, Copacabana offers an amazing range of shops – from discount stores to chic boutiques. One area of note is the district composed of Av. Copacabana and Rua Santa Clara. Sunday is the best day to go out and hunt for bargains. The main street is closed to traffic as vendors come out with a wide variety of products.