amazingly, within rio's city limits there still are a handful of wild beaches that truly feel like undiscovered tropical islands in the middle of the ocean. while sand, sea shells, flush tropical vegetation, rocks, and trails come together to create a hidden treasure or rare beauty.

part of both the  área de proteção ambiental de grumari (grumari's natural reserve) and the parque estadual da pedra branca, untouched and a way from it all, yet easily accessible by anyone who wants to visit them, these beaches offer an incredible escape without leaving rio de janeiro.