2-3 pm: Walk to Pedra do Arpoador - Walking along the seafront from leblon to Pedra do Arpoador, with the fresh sea air blowing in one's face and hair is a wonderfully humbling experience.

Great oceans lap the shores of leblon and ipanema, and the playful beaches are in their full mid-afternoon swing - One can breathe in the strange meeting of the high-rise flashiness of the city, with the majestic mountains, and waters, as well as the islands that jewel the horizon looking out to the coast.

On reaching Pedra do Arpoador, many of the adventurous souls will climb the rock - a light and pleasant ascent, which affords the climber wonderful panoramic views.

the famous vista of Arpoador includes the cagarras islands, ipanema and leblon beach and, just behind it, climbing and sprawling up the morro dois irmãos (two brothers hill) is the community of vidigal.

To the left is praia do diabo (devil's beach), and beyond it the Copacabana fort, jutting out into the water.