Ipanema

Ipanema and Leblon

Ipanema and Copacabana are maybe the most famous beaches in the world, following Rio´s own fame, both honored in many brazillian and international songs. 

Leblon didn´t get the same fame, so it is a bit less touristic, but the most handsome and beautifull cariocas can be seen there. Staying in Leblon is also fantastic, the only disadvantage is metro doesn´t arrive there so far, but construction is beeing made to. I don´t put a schedule, because I don´t believe in construction´s schedules in Brazil. 

Ipanema was the ispiration for the song The Girl from Ipanema (A garota de Ipanema), composed by Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes. They composed the song at Veloso Bar, now known as the Bar Garota de Ipanema. This bar is located in the corner of Prudente de Moraes street with Vinicius de Moraes street, just one block away from the beach, close to Posto 9.   

Ipanema is the syster of Leblon, both sharing almost the same lane of sands, but divided by the Jardim de Alá (Garden of Alá), a small park with a small channel linking the sea to the Rodrigos de Freitas lagoon. The beaches in Rio gave also the name of these two neighbourhoods.

Ipanema, besides the beach, has its own bars, restaurants, hotels and is one of the best places to be in Rio. Metro ends at General Osório station there, so it´s very convenient to going downtown, for historic rides. Even for a business stay, if it happens you are in Rio for work, staying in Ipanema would be nice for taking a beach during summertime. 

Arpoador Stone: a magic sunset

Ipanema is divided from Copacabana by the military fort of Copacabana and by the Arpoador Stone. Every sunset, the Arpoador stands as bleachers for people to watch the sunset behind the Dois Irmãos Mountain (Two-Brothers mountain), in the end of Leblon. So, during summertime, you should be at the Arpoador around 7/8pm, and during winter/fall, around 5/6 pm. 

The sunset by the Arpoador Stone. In the right, the two peaks formig the Morro Dois Irmãos; further behind, the Gavea Stone

Ipanema and Leblon

(above: the Pão de Açúcuar or sugarloaf seem from Arpoador stone)

Gay Ipanema, Gay Rio

Ipanema is the most gay-friendly beach and neighbourhood in Rio. The Farme de Amoedo street is where many gay bars and restaurants are located. This street ends at the beach in the direction of Posto 9, i.e., the lifeguards post number 9, which is the gayiest part of the beach. 

The Felice Cafe, at 30, Gomes de Carneiro street, is one of the best restaurants in Rio, with a mostly gay clientele. Very good option for dinner, after a delicious day enjoying the beach. Very good ice-creams and drinks. 

Gay Rio isn´t just about Ipanema: the city has of course other nightclubs and bars around the city, but doubtlessly it is the biggest concentration of gays in town.