the barra de guaratiba holds many examples of the great natural wonders one might find in rio de janeiro - particularly noteworthy is the magnificent praia da barra de guaratiba (guaratiba beach). the neighborhood is an important part of the atlantic edge of the west zone.

most of its few thousand inhabitants are spread in a strip of land which starts in the guaratiba hill in the south and extends all the way across the western shore and right into the wetlands of the state biological reserve of guaratiba. there are several houses, bars and restaurants concentrated around this remote beach offering some of the best seafood in the region, making it a popular destination for many cariocas and travellers alike.