praia forte rio branco, and praia do forte imbuhy are also inside military areas since the fortaleza de são joão, the fortaleza de santa cruz, the forte rio branco, and the forte imbuhy were all strategic posts used to control access to rio's guanabara bay via the boca da barra.

special authorization to visit praia de fora and the nearby praia de dentro can be requested at the fortaleza de são joão, avenida joão luiz alves (no number), urca, by calling 21 2586.2291, or via email on this link.

praia de fora is occasionally used by celebrities visiting rio de janeiro and hiding from the public eye, such as tom cruise and katie holmes famously did in 2009 when vacationing with their daughter suri.