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Copacabana - Princess of the Sea

Copacabana, the very name itself provokes images of beauty, sand and ocean. The magnificent jungle-clad mountains rise from the ocean and seem to blend into the beautiful bend of Copacabana Beach, now a world renowned hotspot for tourists from around the world. The neighborhood lives up to its nickname, A Princesinha do Mar or Princess of the Sea. Copa (short for Copacabana) is a paradise with stunning beaches, lively streets, where the party never seems to stop. Apart from being Rio’s egalitarian and eclectic neighborhood, romance and glamour are its obvious trademarks.

The pristine Copacabana Beach stretches for over 5 kilometers and beckons one and all to its alluring waters. Sun, sea and beautiful bodies are what represent the pleasure-seeking side of the neighborhood. The magnificent Sugar Loaf Mountain and Morro do Leme look resplendent in the background presenting a picture perfect landscape that lures tourists from all over the globe. As far as hospitality goes, you can always expect the very best at Copacabana, with hotels, bars and restaurants known for their exemplary service.

A Bit of History

Historically, Copacabana has much to offer as compared to other places in Brazil. The region around Sugar Loaf Mountain, known as Guanabara Bay, was a French colony under Villegaignon in 1555. The area in front of the bay is now a naval academy. The Portuguese took over in 1566, changed the name to São Sebastião and eventually renamed it as Rio de Janeiro and the capital of Brazil in 1763. The region was home to the first protestant settlement with the population growing steadily only in the early 20th century. According to historians, a XVII century image of Our Virgin Lady of Copacabana was installed in a chapel which was later demolished to give way for Forte de Copacabana, which was made to defend the area.

During the late 19th century, Copacabana was nothing more than a small fishing village covered with sand, dunes and shrubs. With the construction of Tunel Velho, connecting the area to Botafogo and Downtown Rio, Copacabana began to grow with the inauguration of Av. Atlantica along the beach. Ever since the Copacabana Palace Hotel opened in 1923, there was no looking back in terms of development in tourism as well, while wealthy Cariocas soon made Copa their home. However, fame also brought with it the development of the Favelas, which is very much a part of Rio’s life today.

Geography

Copacabana is located in the southern zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro. The area extends from Posto Dois (lifeguard watchtower Two) which is on Princesa Isabel Avenue to Posto Seis (lifeguard watchtower Six). Avenue Atlantica is the main street that runs the full length of Copacabana Beach and is home to a number of restaurants, bars and hotels on one side. The neighborhood has a well networked transport system with 40 different bus routes and three subway Metro stations namely Siqueira Campos, Cantagalo and Cardeal Arcoverde.

Getting there

With three subway Metro stations and the General Osório Station in Ipanema a stone’s throw away, the neighborhood is well connected to the other parts of Rio. Atlantic Avenue connects to the beachside, while Nossa Senhora de Copacabana connect with the other twenty-four streets that form the three major arteries. The subway is safe and reliable so tourists do not have a problem getting around the neighborhood. Taxis are also easily available. If you plan to rent a car, it would be prudent to engage a driver in order to get around the city which is known for its chaotic traffic in certain areas.

ATTRACTIONS

Copacabana Beach

One of the main reasons why visitors come to Copacabana is, undoubtedly, the beach. It is perhaps the most famous after Ipanema Beach. Sunbathing beauties, bars, restaurants, this is truly a beach-lover’s paradise. The beauty of it all is you get to see people from a variety of lifestyles either strolling, exercising, roller skating or simply basking in the sunshine all through the day. From businessmen to entertainers and fun seekers, Copacabana Beach has room for everyone. If you haven’t watched Capoeira, a Brazilian martial arts form, you will get a chance to see some of the most well trained performers in action at the beach. Most beach kiosks are open around the clock, offering some of the most delicious traditional snacks and caipirinhas, a local alcoholic beverage. Apart from cold beer, they also serve a delicious snack called refeição, a favorite with many tourists.

The Brazilians are a sport-loving race and beach soccer and volleyball are favorite sports that are promoted at arenas along Copacabana Beach. During the summer, the World Cup International Beach Volleyball competition is held at the beach so if you are in town don’t forget to catch up with a game. Swimmers and surfers are an integral part of the beach and represent the true Carioca lifestyle. While sunbathing may cease in the evenings, the beach comes alive at night with many of the barracas or beach bars doing brisk business through the night.

The Sambadrome isn’t the only place where all the action is during the Rio Carnival. Copacabana Beach has some of the liveliest festivities taking place, with the Copacabana Palace Hotel taking the lead with the Magic Ball.

Many vendors make their living at the beach offering drinks, snacks, bracelets, shirts, towels and much more. This is a great place to pick up some small souvenirs to take home. The beach isn’t short of entertainment too. You will find magicians, tattooists and jugglers, all trying to be at their creative best.

Forte De Copacabana

The old Copacabana Chapel made way for Forte de Copacabana, which was built in 1908. Formerly a military establishment, the fort is now a cultural center where visitors are welcome. The view of Copacabana Beach from the fort is simply astounding and a great place to take a photos of Arpoador Park, Ipanema and Leblon as well. The highlight of Rio’s New Year’s Eve festival is fireworks that are set up along Forte de Copacabana.

Copacabana Palace Hotel

The hotel is undoubtedly Rio’s most famous and glamorous since the early 1920s. Celebrities always find their way to the hotel be it for a luxurious stay, sumptuous meal or the infamous Magic Ball during the carnival celebrations. From Kings and Queens to Presidents and Prime Ministers, Copacabana Palace Hotel plays host to everyone from around the globe. The hotel is worth a visit even if you are on a budget. Enjoy an afternoon tea by the poolside and soak in the wonderful architecture and beautiful natural surroundings of Sugar Loaf Mountain and Corcovado Mountain. Apart from a refreshing outdoor swimming pool, the hotel also offers an assigned area to Copacabana Beach which includes free personal beach service with towels, umbrellas, lounge beds and security. For fitness enthusiasts, the hotel has a well-equipped gym and a rooftop tennis court.

Who would want to miss an opportunity to be pampered at the Copacabana Palace Spa, which is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a soothing sauna? In addition, the full-service spa offers numerous types of holistic treatment with indigenous herbs and hydro-massage therapies.

Bairro Peixoto

Amidst the urban environment of Copacabana lies a peaceful art-deco district that still exudes a small-town ambience. Here is a place you will find some of the most exquisite buildings not more than 4-stories high. Bairro is only a few blocks away from the beach. It is wonderful to find quiet area where the elderly play chess while the children romp around on the playground. The area has clear boundaries, clean streets ling with tall trees and less traffic, making it hard to believe that it is a Carioca neighborhood. The small community takes pride in distinguishing itself from the rest of urban Copacabana. Bairro is enclosed within Henrique Oswald Street to the north, Tonelero street to the south, Santa Clara to the west and Tabajaras Hillside to the east. Within the small community of about 9,000 is a health care facility, shopping mall, hotel, Baptist church, day care center and a police station.

Take a visit to Edmundo Bitencourt Square and you will get the best view of neo-colonial style houses built in the 1940s and 1950s, which peacefully coexists with a few high-rise buildings built in the 1960s. To experience a different side of Copacabana, Bairro Peixoto is the place to visit.

Barata Ribeiro

Another peaceful community living area is Barata Ribeiro with its small-town charm that is home to some of the most stunning neo-classical buildings and several tiny apartments.

Fishermen’s Corner

The area is a traditional fishing spot for over a century right next to Forte de Copacabana. Take a trip before sunrise to see fishermen go about making their living. The fisher folk are friendly and will let you join in pulling the fishnets out of the water. You have a variety of fish to choose from, as most trading takes place at the corner.

Lido

Lido is an area that features a number of art-deco and neoclassical buildings, which are reminiscent of Rio’s glamorous past. Some of these buildings have as many as 5-bedroom apartments with only one bathroom. Lido extends from Copacabana Palace Hotel to Av. Princesa Isabel. Itahy, a building on Av. Copacabana 252 is among the architectural masterpieces of the area. Lido has a bustling nightlife with some of the most famous strip clubs and bars in the vicinity. Among them are Cicciolina, Niko’s, Baccara and Scotch Bar to name a few. These clubs are hard to miss since they have neon signs at the door.

Shopping

Copacabana is definitely a shopper’s paradise. From sophisticated boutiques to discount and specialty stores, the choice is endless. The region around Av. Copacabana and Rua Santa Clara offer some of the best shopping opportunities. Those looking for antiques will find Shopping Casino Atlantico the ideal place. Princesa Isabel Avenue is the place for bikini wear and lingerie. Flea markets and outdoor markets are often held along Avenida Atlantica. One of the most famous flea markets are held at Praça do Lido on weekends between 8 am and 6 pm.

Sugar Loaf Mountain

Copacabana Beach presents the most magnificent view of Sugar Loaf Mountain which is the most famous tourist attraction in Rio. Its height, unique outline and splendid view from the top, draws tourists from all over the world. A cable car takes you to the top of Sugar Loaf in two stages. The first leg takes you to Morro de Açúcar from Praia Vermelha, which is at a height of 220 meters above sea level. There are shops, restaurants and an amphitheatre on this plateau. The second leg takes you to Pão de Açúcar from where you get the best view of the city, the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding mountains including the Tijuca National Park. The cable cars offer a 360 degree view of the surroundings, which is one of the most exhilarating sights you may ever experience. The cable cars depart every 20 minutes between 8 am and 8 pm. However, make sure you go early so that you can make the most of your trip.

Places to Eat

Copacabana isn’t short of places to wine and dine. From beachside shacks to churrascarias or steakhouses and fine dining, Copacabana dishes out some of the best gourmet delights.

One of the most popular steakhouses is located in Lido Square, the heart of Copacabana. Churrascaria Carretão Lido on Rua Ronald de Carvalho, 55 A e B, Lido, serves some of the most sumptuous traditional cuisine and offers authentic Brazilian rodízio (fixed-price buffets) where you can eat as much as you want. The restaurant offers the finest cuts of meat so do make it a point to visit the restaurant while on vacation. They do have the finest collection of wines and the traditional caipirinha and cachaça as well.

Corner shops are among the cheaper options that sell beans, rice, fruit juices, pizzas, hamburgers and hotdogs, apart from other traditional Brazilian snacks. There are over a hundred in Copacabana alone. A walk down Rua Barata Ribeiro and Constante Ramos is enough to find a place of your choice. You can have a real treat which includes a chicken fillet, salad, rice and a fruit juice.

For traditional Bahia cuisine, you ought to visit Siri Mole on Rua Francisco Otaviano 50. The restaurant is famous for its rendition of moqueca, a stew made with coconut milk, onions, garlic, hot pepper and dende oil, a Brazilian olive oil, along with shrimp or crab meat.

How can you visit Brazil and not have a taste of some exotic cuisine from the Amazon. Arataca on Rua Domingos Ferreira 41, Copacabana, serves some of the most delicious traditional dishes and is a popular haunt of many tourists. You can eat either at the restaurant or at the deli.