access to praia do vidigal is hidden and somewhat complicated. the easiest way to find it would be to take a taxi to the entrance of the trail descending to the beach from avenida niemeyer - it would be appropriate to set up a time with the taxi driver for the return trip, since taxis in that area might be difficult to hail.

alternatively, any bus or van going to barra, vidigal, or rocinha via avenida niemeyer will stop at the entrance of the favela vidigal. from there, a short walk back towards leblon will lead to the entrance of the trail to the beach - the barra express leaving the metrô station at praça general osório is also a very fast option, as it only has few stops between ipanema and vidigal.