The top 10 Luxury Ipanema Brazil Hotels are wonderful. Ipanema Beach is a the stretch of white sand on Rio’s coast, and is considered the beach jewel in Rio. Ipanema beach might not have the calmest waters or the most turquoise, but it is by far the best beach in Rio. You won’t find insistent vendors or pushy people here.
You will find beautiful bodies, happy grandmas, sexy couples, football, volleyball and paddle ball games, live samba music, colorful bikinis for sale, hot beach snacks, ice cold drinks, handmade toys, and fragrant sunscreen and oils for sale. Your options are simple: either give the thumbs up sign (meaning thank you but no) or the ‘psiu’ sound indicating that you want to participate. Visit the most amazing beaches in Brazil here, or on Pinterest.
Ipanema Beach Weather – When to Visit
Consider visiting Ipanema Beach is between December and March, when the weather is warm and sunny enough to hit the beaches. You can enjoy visiting here year round, but arrive in February to experience Carnival. This four- to five-day festival leading up to Fat Tuesday brings thousands of visitors and locals to the streets for parades, parties and balls.
Finding an affordable place to stay during Carnival can be difficult; you should consider booking your hotel and flight up to a year in advance. Between January and March, daytime temperatures can sometimes surpass 90°F to 100°F. If you prefer more moderate conditions, visit during autumn (April and May) or spring (October and November), when temps fall back to the 70s and low 80s during the day and the 60s at night.
Ipanema Beach Tips
Matte & Globo Crackers
Order a Matte (iced tea with lemonade) and a bag of Globo crackers (Green is salty, Red is sweet). This is the ultimate classic Carioca tradition. The Matte vendors will be wearing orange outfits and have a large metal barrel under each arm, one with tea and one with lemonade.
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Queijo Coalho
You will see men walking up and down the beach swinging small grills used to bbq cheese ‘queijo coalho’. This is a type of cheese, similar to Halumi, that is very dense and lends itself perfectly to the small bbq. You can order it with oregano or natural but both will come charred black and delicious!
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Tips for Grooming & Tanning
The average Brazilian swears that it isn’t their natural skin tone that lends itself so well to tanning. The secret to that golden tan is keeping wet the entire time on the beach. A Brazilian woman will also bring to Ipanema beach a comb and a bottle of conditioner. She will give her hair a hydrating treatment while enjoying her ice cold beverage.
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Don’t Be Shy!
Brazilians aren’t uncomfortable making friends even if you don’t speak the same language. They find these differences charming. It will make your day incredibly beautiful if you befriend a local who will be more than happy to share their food, teach you about Brazil and laugh all afternoon with you.
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Barraca do Uruguai (#80)
This is by far the best beach stand. They have the best drinks, food (chimichurri sandwiches) and eye candy. The same family has been running the stand for over 30 years and has even received an award from the government for being an Ipanema beach Institution. This is a stand with dignity, even the sandwich bread is delivered fresh every hour.
Best Ipanema Area Tours & Activities
Full Day in Rio: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Maracana and Selaron with Lunch
Get an overview of Rio’s most important sights during this comprehensive 8-hour tour. With a local guide, travel through the Tijuca Forest, stopping at Paineiras to board transportation to the top of Corcovado, home of the Christ the Redeemer statue. Take the cable car from Urca up to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain, then eat lunch at one of the city’s best steakhouses before visits to Maracanã Stadium and the Sambadrome. Round-trip transportation from Rio hotels is included. Book your Full Day in Rio Tour Here.
Christ Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain Small-Group
Summit both Corcovado and Sugar Loaf mountains in the early morning to beat the crowds on this half-day tour in Rio de Janeiro. After bright and early pickup from your Rio hotel, travel through the Tijuca National Forest to get up close with the Christ the Redeemer statue without throngs of people around. After learning about its history from your local guide, move on to Sugar Loaf Mountain for spectacular views of the sprawling city, slowly waking up in the morning light. Tickets for the Sugar Loaf cable car are not included. Book your Christ Redeemer & Sugar Loaf Small Group Tour Here.
Full Day Complete Tour of Rio de Janeiro
Get an overview of Rio’s most important sights during this comprehensive, full-day tour. With a local guide, visit Copacabana Beach, Botafogo Beach and Palácio Guanabara. Travel through the Tijuca Forest, stopping at Paineiras on the way up Corcovado to see the Christ the Redeemer statue. Take the cable car from Urca up to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain, then eat lunch at one of the city’s best steakhouses before visits to Maracanã Stadium and the Sambadrome. Round-trip transportation from Rio hotels is included. Book your Complete Tour of Rio de Janeiro here.
3 Hour Sailing Experience in Rio
See two iconic Rio de Janeiro landmarks from the water—Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf—while sailing aboard a 40-foot (12-meter) yacht. Sail in Guanabara Bay or the open sea while you relax with a welcome drink and snacks. Enjoy stunning views and discover the magic of sailing from the captain who illuminates Rio’s history. This 3-hour boat tour has a max capacity of 10 for a small-group experience. Book your 3 Day Sailing Experience in Rio here.
Experience Hang Gliding or Paragliding in Rio
Fly in the most beautiful scenery of the city, fly over the forest, the mountains and the sea. They are a team selected with the best pilots of the Club Sao Conrado, competitors racing championships and always in search of evolution in the sport. They use the most modern photographic equipment on the market and also the best flight equipment. They are prepared to help make this dream come true with the safety and comfort you deserve. Book your Rio Hang Gliding or Paragliding Experience here.
What to Take to Ipanema Beach (or not to take!)
Take the following:
- Sarong (not a towel…no one uses towels on the beach)
- Brazilian swimsuit
- Suntan Lotion
- Sunglasses for Women
- Sunglasses for Men
- Sunhat
- Leave In Hair Conditioner
- Havaianas Sandals
- Beach Bag
- DO NOT take anything valuable to the beach, especially a phone or passport
Best Ipanema Restaurants
Satyricon $11 – 30
This fine dining seafood restaurant in Ipanema is a favorite among adventurous eaters. You’ll find sushi, seafood risottos and seafood pasta dishes, and there are a handful of vegetarian-friendly side dishes. Menu Telephone: 55 21 2521-0627Web: Satyricon
Artigiano Ristorante $11 – 30
The restaurant specializes in dishes from the Emilia Romana region of Italy. Along with some of the best pizzas in the city, there’s also a huge range of pastas, including lasagna, tagliatelle, ravioli, garganelli, tagliolini, cappelletti, tortelli and tortellini. Telephone: 55 21 2512 6107 Web: Artigiano Ristorante
Gringo Cafe $11 – 30
Gringo Cafe does a roaring trade in US Diner-style favorites such as hash browns, bottomless coffees, pancakes, waffles and French toast, as well as delicious cakes, milkshakes and cheese burgers made with imported American cheese. Menu Telephone: 55 21 3813-3972 Web: Gringo Cafe
Casa da Feijoada $11 – 30
Feijoada – a hearty bean and meat feast – is Brazil’s national dish, and no foodie worth their salt will want to leave Rio without having tried it. Traditionally served only on Saturdays, Casa da Feijoada is one spot where you can feast on this delicious stew every day of the week. Telephone: 55 21 2247 2776 Web: Casa da Feijoada
New Natural $11 – 30
This health food store, buffet restaurant and snack bar offers a huge range of wholesome ingredients for self caterers as well as a range of eat-in dishes that are every bit as tasty as they are nutritious. You’ll find vegetarian options, low-fat chicken and fish, salads, soups and sushi on the menu. Telephone: 55 21 2247 9363 Web: New Natural
Best Ipanema Beach Bars
Canastra Bar
Edifício Paranoá, R. Jangadeiros, 42 – G – Ipanema Telephone: 55 21 3217-8360 Web: Canastra Bar
Boteco Belmonte
Av. Vieira Souto, 236 – Ipanema Telephone: 55 21 2267-9909 Web: Boteco Belmonte
Bar Popeye
R. Visc. de Pirajá, 181 – Ipanema Telephone: 55 21 2523-2105 Web: Bar Popeye
Shenanigan’s
R. Visc. de Pirajá, 112 A – Ipanema Telephone: 55 21 97035-5619 Web: Shenanigan’s
Osório Bar
R. Gomes Carneiro, 130 – Loja A – Ipanema Telephone: 55 21 2146-7349 Web: Osorio Bar
I have never been to Brazil but I have heard enough about it to keep it on my bucket list of things to do. These details are quite helpful, so I now have an idea of what is offered and what I should plan for. When I see descriptions such as cable cars, beach outings when it is warm, Tijuca forest and hang gliding, it make me want to start my planning. I think I would want to go during the festive season of carnival so I optimize my trip. Thank you so much
You are very welcome JJ. Thanks for stopping by!
From going through your website, I can see how much you love Brazil. Have you ever been there? Or do you live there? I would go there for the soccer, it seems fun but I will be sure to check out this beach if I ever go. Thank you for making my job easier, I truly appreciate it.
Yes Daniel, I have been to Brazil 🙂 I actually have family there and it is wonderful. If you need any additional information, please let me know.
Ipanema sounds like the ideal place for a vacation. I am curious if cruise ships lines go to this part of Brazil. I’m also curious if Southwest Airlines flies into this area. This sounds like a great place to visit especially in the summer or spring months. I appreciate all the information!
Cruise ships sail into Rio de Janeiro and Southwest flies to Rio as well. It is a great place to visit! Thank you for visiting my Top 10 Luxury Ipanema Brazil Hotels.
Thank you for this lovely article describing your picks for luxury hotels in Ipanema beach in Brazil. Reading about these incredible options sparked my inner travel bug and has me wishing I was at the beach today instead of heading to work! I will definitely be keeping these options in mind for our next vacation and appreciate the detailed information about each of them!
You are welcome Erica. Thanks for visiting beach travel destinations and taking the time to leave me comments.
I was supposed to have a vacation in Brazil 2nd quarter of 2020 but oh well, pandemic hits, and all travel plans were canceled :'( . Seeing all list makes me wanna look forward to finally fulfilling our much-awaited vacation. Quick question though, are they strict in terms of what vaccine a tourist got injected with?
No, if you have a vaccine you are good. Sounds like it’s time to rebook your Brazil vacation 🙂
I’ve once searched up about Ipanema Beach on the internet and the view is just so so amazing!! I was wondering what to actually prepare if I plan my trip to Rio De Janeiro and your blog just answer to all my question. Anyways, nice explanation on the tips to prepare when traveling to Ipanema Beach and I’ll take your top 10 recommended hotels into consideration if I get the chance to go there!
Best,
Ian
Glad I could help Lucas! Please let me know if you need any additional information.
Ah, this article definitely takes me back to the wonderful trip I had to visit friends in Brazil. Rio was one of our stops and we did Ipanema and Copacabana Beach, Sugarloaf, Christ the Redeemer, and had a blast mingling with the Brazilians, enjoying acai, and eating all kinds of different cheesy foods! Even with all the natural beauty of the town, the people are what stood out as the main attraction — their joy and lust for life is infectious!!
It is infectious! Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Thanks for taking the time to leave me comments.
After what I’ve read in this article, I absolutely want to participate. Brazil is a country I’ve always wanted to visit. I’m really excited to go to the carnival in February. Thank you for your top ten luxury hotels in Ipanema, Brazil. The Sol Ipanema Hotel is my preference because there the sunset is quite pleasant to my eyes.
Is it still possible to book a flight and a hotel room for the next Carnival event right now?
I am not sure if you can find a hotel room for the next carnival. You can go to my top choices for hotel and just plug in the dates. The flight won’t be a problem though. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
I like the fact that you can visit this beach without pushy vendors trying to sell you something and the live samba music is another attraction. I have always wanted to go when the famous Rio carnival is on, so February would definitely be my month of choice. The only thing I don’t enjoy is extreme heat, but the carnival will make it all worthwhile.
The carnival will make it all worthwhile for sure. Just book your hotel way in advance 🙂
After this, I think I may want to live in Brazil forever! I am certainly looking to go on vacation around the Christmas period, and through reading the article it seems like December is a good time! What sort of travel restrictions are in place if we wish to visit brazil from the United States at the moment?
The only travel restrictions is to supply a negative covid test to enter. December is a great time to visit Ipanema!
Wow, Ipanema beach sounds amazing and I love how you describe the beautiful bodies, happy grandmas, sexy couples etc. If they are happy to be sharing their food with people that they have just met on the beach, they must be very outgoing and jovial as a nation.
Very interesting how the ladies take a bottle of conditioner and a comb to the beach to groom their hair. Barracca do Uruguay sounds like an absolute must to visit. Ipanema beach is definitely on my bucket list after reading this post.
It is amazing and you could do a ton of people watching here. Great place for it and lots of friendly people. Thanks for visiting my Top 10 Luxury Ipanema Brazil Hotels.
Excellent tips in this overview, and a nice introduction of what to expect, and look forward to! I tend to be shy, and I can’t imagine what it would be like to be around an outgoing Brazilian crowd; at the same time, like you implied here, it sounds like those differences could result in some amusing fun. 🙂 Some volleyball on Ipanema sounds lovely.
Thank you for taking the time to leave me comments on my Top 10 Luxury Ipanema Brazil Hotels. I’m glad you enjoyed.
The Ipanema Beach’s white sandy beaches look absolutely amazing and there appears to be so much to see and do there. My wife and I are looking for a place to celebrate our 21s wedding anniversary. Our 20th got canceled because of covid issues. Are there any covid restrictions there right now?
There are no Covid restrictions. So you can plan and enjoy 🙂 Please let me know if you need any additional information.