Considered the sexiest beach in the world, Ipanema became popular thanks to the bossa nova song The Girl from Ipanema, by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes (1962). Delimited by the Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers Mountain) and Ponta Arpoador, the beach is divided into stretches of sand called Posto. Posto 9 (9th lifeguard tower) is the coolest and more attractive space, the one where you can admire the most beautiful bodies in Rio. People come here every day to hung out, play football, volleyball or footvolley (a freestyle mix of the two). Come here in day time, have a swim, rent a sun umbrella with deck chairs or drink a beer (you can buy one at one of the many kiosks along the beach). And don’t miss Ipanema during weekends, when the road along the beach (Avenida Vieira Souto) is closed to traffic: among skates, bikes and rollerblades, you will experience a primary side of Carioca lifestyle.

Security tips: don’t leave your stuff unattended while you swim and don’t walk on the beach at night.