10 Tips For Visiting Copacabana Beach, Brazil

Visit one of Brazil’s most popular beaches, but not before reading these tips first.

Copacabana Beach is known to be one of the best beaches in Brazil. However, it is also a target for tourists and a common place to get scammed or robbed. While it’s absolutely possible to have a safe and enjoyable experience at this beach, beach-goers should consider these tips before visiting not only Brazil but Copacabana Beach in general.

10. Don’t Bring A Large Bag

Unfortunately, because Copacabana is known to be a place for theft, bringing a large bag can make visitors an easy target. Play it safe, and keep the beach gear minimal. Bring only the bare minimum since large bags can often make for becoming an easy target.

9. Don’t Use A Towel From The Hotel

Hotel towels make one thing very clear: you are a tourist, a.k.a. a great target for scams. While many travelers will want to, and should, consider a beachfront hotel in Brazil, avoid the mistake of bringing one of the hotel towels. Purchase one of the thin wraps that are sold all over the streets of Rio de Janeiro. This is what the locals use, and plus, they’re super colorful and cute.

8. Don’t Bring Anything Super Valuable

Leave the passport, wallet, keys, and even fancy cameras and jewelry at home. Sure, bringing money is still essential, but it’s always advisable to leave at least one spare credit card and even a little bit of extra cashback in the room in the case, god forbid, you become a victim of personal theft.

7. Leave A Spare Credit Card In Your Room

As mentioned above, this is a crucial tip. Leave one spare card back in the hotel room. That way, just in case the worst happens, visitors won’t have to spend the rest of their time in Brazil worrying about finding a replacement card. It’s always recommended to travel with at least two cards: at least one debit and one credit card.

6. Buy Some Snacks From The Vendors

It’s not all terrifying at Copacabana Beach! While there, vendors of all types will be walking around selling anything from freshly grilled seafood skewers to açai bowls to empanadas to fresh fruit. Take advantage of the plethora of options, and purchase a few different snacks to try. They’re pretty affordable and all extremely delicious.

5. Get A Beach Caipirinha

Not only should visitors invest in some snacks, but ordering a caipirinha on Copacabana Beach is crucial. As the late and great Anthony Bourdain once said, “If you’re on this beach, sipping a caipirinha, and you can’t find a way to be happy, you never will be.”

4. Stay Vigilant

While traveling, it is always wise to be aware of one’s surroundings. While in Copacabana Beach, however, it is required. Beachgoers should keep a lookout for anyone who seems to be lurking, keep personal belongings extremely close (put them under the towel and lay on top of them, if able), and do their best to remain undistracted.

3. Get Off Of Your Phone

Don’t make the mistake of visiting this beach only to scroll through Instagram and take 2,000 photos. While visitors will want to take some photos, put the phone down for two primary reasons: one: to not draw attention (a common way to get scammed), and two: to sign off and relax!

2. Forgot Something? It Can Likely Be Purchased

Vendors walk around Copacabana Beach selling anything under the sun. Need a towel? It can be purchased. Need a sand bucket and shovel for your kid? Not to worry, they sell that too. Need an umbrella? A swimsuit? Something to drink? Something to eat? You name it; they’ve got it. Almost anything imaginable can be purchased on this lovely Brazilian beach.

1. Relax & Have Fun!

Above all, while many people advise being safe while visiting Copacabana, the experience can be fun and relaxing so long as visitors follow all of these guidelines. Copacabana Beach is really a trip where local kids can be seen playing soccer (or football), adults can be seen laughing and frolicking through the water, and listening to the sound of the waves crashing on one of the world’s best beaches can provide all vacationers with the ultimate sense of therapy.