winner of the title of 'best urban beach in the world' by cnn, and declared the 'sexiest beach in the world' by the travel channel, ipanema is now as iconic to rio as is the sugar loaf or the christ on corcovado.

spanning 2100 meters, ipanema beach is located in the zona sul (south zone) of rio, in the upscale neighborhood by the same name. set between arpoador beach and the canal jardim de alah (allah's garden), not only is ipanema one of the most beautiful beaches in rio de janeiro, but it is both a social and cultural landmark.