the beach is large and backs up to the quiet residential neighborhood that goes by the same name.

due to the high industrial activity and the pollution of guanabara bay, there is not much swimming off the shores of praia de ribeira, but the spacious sands are perfect for locals to meet up for a pickup game of football.

in fact, praia da ribeira used to be much longer, but portions of the beach were incorporated in the industrial areas of the island, and the small stretches remaining of it are lo longer accessible by the public.