praia de barra de guaratiba, also known locally as praia grande, is a 300 meter beach located in the neighborhood of barra de guaratiba, in the zona west of rio - it is the farthest oceanic beach from rio's center of town.

guaratiba is a working class neighborhood, rich in unpaved roads and charming architecture, with about 9,000 residents who enjoy the local fishing and the nice beaches of guaratiba.

because of the particular architecture of the homes in this area, with white walls and red rooftops, and their distribution on the hills surrounding the beach, many have compared this area to a mediterranean town.

the name guaratiba, name derived from the name given to this area by the tupi, the indigenous inhabitants of the region, means 'place of many herons.'