Copacabana Beach

Brazil

Most travellers know of Copacabana, but half of them will tell you it's the place Lola lost her youth and her Tony. In fact, Copacabana is one of the world's great beaches, wedged on a strip of land at the foot of the most dramatic hills in very dramatic Rio de Janeiro. You could spend weeks in Brazil without leaving Copacabana and lots of people do just that. With a population of 350,000 spread through just 110 streets in four narrow blocks, Copacabana has one of the world's highest population densities, giving it a non-stop party atmosphere. For pure city excitement, Copacabana is Rio's liveliest theatre

Copacabana runs for 5km (3mi) and is so wide that it's more of a sandy park than beach. To get to the water, you must cross an expanse that includes full-size soccer fields and volleyball courts - watch a couple of games and you'll understand why the Brazilians are such a force in these sports. The beach is also the scene of much of Rio's petty crime - go for a swim here leaving your things unattended and there's zero chance of them being there on your return. Many travel to the beach in nothing but their bathers and a flimsy towel, so they've got nothing to lose. The big hotels employ security guards to patrol the areas in front of their hotels.

Copacabana first gained fame in 1923 with the opening of the Copacabana Place Hotel, South America's first luxury digs. Casinos soon followed and the beach quickly evolved into an international watering hole for world celebrities. In 1948, three Argentine girls caused a storm on the beach by sunbaking in two-piece swimsuits. From then on, world swimwear fashion would be led by this beach.

There's always something happening on the beach during the day and on the sidewalks at night: drinking, singing, eating and all kinds of people checking out the scene. Tourists watching Brazilians, Brazilians watching tourists; the poor from nearby shanties eyeing the rich; the rich avoiding the poor; prostitutes looking for tricks, johns looking for treats (it's the heart of Rio's recreational sex industry. There are many boites (bars with strip shows) and prostitutes; anything and everyone is for sale).

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