praia de charitas is located in niterói, in the enseada de são francisco (são francisco's harbor), next to são francisco beach.  about 1000 meter long, this beach also has the calm waters of guanabara bay, beautiful views, and fine white sand.

the name c haritas, a latin word meaning 'charity,' gives the name to this area and is traceable to the presence of the order of jesuits in the region at the time of the portuguese colonization, in the xvi century.

the word 'charitas' (charity) is inscribed on the door of the igreja de nossa senhora da conceição de jurujuba, a small church dating back to 1629.