Ipanema is a neighbourhood located in the South Zone of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between Leblon and Arpoador. The beach at Ipanema became widely known by the song "The Girl from Ipanema" ("Garota de Ipanema"), written by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes.
The word "Ipanema" comes from the Tupi language and means "stinky lake", from upaba ("lake") and nem ("stinky"
Most of the land that Ipanema consists of today once belonged to Jose Antonio Moreira Filho, Baron of Ipanema. The word "Ipanema" did not refer originally to the beach, but to the homeland of the baron at Sao Paulo.
Ipanema gained fame with the start of the bossa nova sound, when its residents Antnio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes created their ode to their neighbourhood, "Girl from Ipanema." The song was written in 1962, with music by Jobim and Portuguese lyrics by de Moraes with English lyrics written later by Norman Gimbel. Its popularity has seen a resurgence with Diana Krall's song "Boy from Ipanema" released in 2008
Ipanema is adjacent to Copacabana and Leblon Beach, but it is distinct from its neighbour. It is relatively easy to navigate because the streets are aligned in a grid. Private investment has led to the creation of world-class restaurants, shops, and cafes. Ipanema is one of the most expensive places to live in Rio. At the forefront of the beach culture are the many surfers and sun worshippers who socialize daily at the beach. Every Sunday, the roadway closest to the beach is closed to motor vehicles and local residents and tourists use the opportunity to ride bikes, roller skate, skateboard, and walk along the ocean.
Ipanema has played its own role in Rio's culture since its beginning. It has universities, art galleries, theaters and cafes. Ipanema holds its own street parade during Carnival festivities, separate from Rio de Janeiro's. Banda de Ipanema attracts up to 50,000 people to the streets of Ipanema for Carnival.
The beach of Ipanema is known for its elegant development and its social life. Two mountains called the Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers) rise at the western end of the beach, which is divided into segments by marks known as postos (lifeguard towers). Beer is sold everywhere, along with the traditional cachaça. There are always circles of people playing football, volleyball, and footvolley, a locally invented sport that is a combination of volleyball and football.
In the winter the surf can reach nine feet. The water quality varies with days of light-blue water to a more murky green after heavy rains. Constant swells keep the water clean. The often treacherous beach break regularly forms barrels.
Just west of this colorful section and towards Leblon, Rio de Janeiro is another popular stretch of sand known as Posto 10 (10th lifeguard tower).
The beach is one of many areas that suffers from the city's poor waste treatment. In its waters, 'fecal coliform bacteria sometimes spike at 16 times the Brazilian government’s “satisfactory” level.'
The Travel Channel listed Ipanema Beach as the sexiest beach in the world.
Large amounts of pollutants are dumped into the sea through the marine outfall pipe located near Ipanema, a matter of increasing concern to ecologists.
Beachgoers often applaud the sunset in the summer.
Posto 9's tradition began around 1980 when the present deputy Fernando Gabeira, came back from his political exile in France and was photographed there in a thong. He had been a political terrorist who, with his MR-8 mates, kidnapped the American ambassador in the sixties to release some political prisoners in Brazil, that was under a dictatorship at that time. In the eighties he became a political celebrity and his picture appeared on the front pages of all Brazilian newspapers together with his declarations that he was bisexual. His going to the beach at that spot made it famous throughout the country.
It inherited the status of a "cool and alternative" space in Ipanema beach from the area next to a pier that was demolished in the seventies, near Farme de Amoedo Street. It has a long history of pot smoking (illegal in Brazil), police raids, and left-wing, as well as alternative, gatherings.
Beach
Beach is where the summer happens in Rio. This page is dedicated to showing you why. Get ready for your virtual tan with dozens of original photos, insider's tips, and local gossip.
The Beach Tour sequence starts on the West side of Ipanema Beach, at the border with Leblon. We picked out some favorite spots of the beach to share with you. When you come to Rio in person, you may even run into a familiar face or two. We are walking East, towards Arpoador and Copacabana.
There's much more to do at the beach than just working on your tan. You may join locals on a match of beach soccer, or beach volleyball. Foot-volleyball is a little harder if you're a novice, but you could always try. If you never tried surfing, bodyboarding or skimboarding, you're welcome to watch. The day to see Capoeira is Sunday, when the beach lane is open for pedestrians only. The sports and action series features exciting sequences of photos.
More Pictours of Ipanema highlights like the main street, spots of interest, people, moods, and even pets that help give Ipanema its very special character. Watch children playing at squares, or go the Hippie Fair for Brazilian handicraft, art, and musical instruments, and original souvenirs. To see Ipanema in a party mode, don't miss our Street Carnival festivities with the hilarious Drags from Ipanema.
Ready for more? From the beach it's 10 minutes on foot to Lagoa Park. Go west past the Canal, and you are in Leblon - our charming beach neighbor. And out west after Arpoador it's only another 10 minutes on foot to Copacabana. Learn your way around Ipanema , and use reviews, rates and free reservations at the best hotels and flats.
If you're looking for action, this is where you start. Enjoy beach sports in Rio's favorite setting - Ipanema Beach! Start on the sand, and choose from beach soccer to volleyball, beach tennis, or foot volleyball. Go on to the sea for great surfing, skimboarding or bodyboarding, bodysurfing, or just swimming.
Joggers, cyclers and skaters rule on the bicycle lane, and along the beach on Sundays. This is the right day to watch an exciting roda de capoeira! And when you get tired from all the activities, grab a cold drink, and go people watching at Cap Ferrat.
Welcome to Rio's favorite neighborhood. Start with the beach tour, and learn what is the right spot for you to hang out. From families with babies, to teens, jocks and beach goddesses, to university students and artists, gays and lesbians, all are welcome. Take your time to watch the dogs on parade, meet the beach people. And, of course, don't miss all the beach sports!
Enjoy a special Sunday at the beach, and leave in time to check out the Hippie Fair. Go on a shopping spree on the main street, starting at Bar 20. Catch your breath watching the children play at the Peace Square, or the plants for sale in the streets.
Rio de Janeiro's Princess of the Sea, Copacabana certainly has something for everyone. You will find everything from landmark art-deco building to strip clubs, from posh hotels along the beach to sex hotels that you pay by the hour, from millionaires living in mansions, to working class families sharing tiny studios.
Add a gorgeous beach where everybody gets together, a main street where you can buy everything you can think of, and you will start to appreciate some of its charm. It will become a permanent love affair when you find about the New Year's festivities, that attract 2 million people from all over the world!
You've already mastered two of Rio's favorite neighborhoods, Ipanema and Copacabana. Now it's time to expand your horizons. Let us introduce you to Ipanema's next door neighbors: Arpoador, Leblon and Lagoa. Another part of the city you cannot miss is Downtown, Rio de Janeiro's historical Centro.
Our next spotlight is on Rio's major events. New Year's Eve is when 2 million people get together at Copacabana Beach to celebrate. Proceed to Carnival, the greatest show on earth. Learn about the interesting backstage action, and have a few laughs with the hilarious Drags from Ipanema
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