the spectacular praia de ipanema is known worldwide for its long stretch of white sandy beach, sparking ocean and postcard-perfect views of the cagarras islands, morro dois irmãos and pedra de arpoador.

located between copacabana and leblon, the 2.6km long beach is very popular with both visitors and locals, who flock there in large numbers every weekend to sunbath, swim, surf and paddle board, walk, cycle, and play volleyball and beach football.

lifeguard towers, called postos, are used to identify the various beach sections - and each beach section attracts different groups of rio's residents, for instance, young people and celebrities frequent posto 9, and rio's gay community gathers between postos 8 and 9.