beaches in rio are all free to access, without any physical division, but the long beaches are divided in sections by lifeguard towers, called postos - different beach sections are often attended by specific crowds, following local fashion trends that may be unnoticeable to a foreign visitor, but become apparent to the careful observer.

before heading to the beach in rio, it may be best to get to know about local do's and don'ts to help understand the culture - this is easy to do just by scouting what is being used on the chosen praia, and by buying the proper items by the nearby beach vendors.

the first necessary beach item is a canga, or a cloth sarong to replace the everyday beach-towel - in fact, the classic cotton, heavy beach towels are not used in rio, as it is believed that the heavy texture would trap bacteria from the sand.