a taxi ride to praia do pepino will take about 20 minutes from ipanema and 30 minutes from copacabana. the access via public transport is somewhat difficult - any bus going to rocinha or the end of avenida niemeyer is an option, however from rocinha a 10 to 15 minute walk is required. alternatively, bus lines 172 (Central - são conrado via Jóquei/Túnel Santa Bárbara), and bus line177 (São Conrado - Central) travel along the beaches of the zona sul (southern zone) and stop in close proximity to praia do pepino.

when available, a great option is the surf bus, a special private bus taking visitors from zona sul to all the main surf beaches in rio, including barra beach - the surf bus leaves from largo do machado every day at 7 am, 10 am,1 pm, and 4 pm - more details are posted on their webpage on this link.