Map of Rio's Gay Beaches

A	Copacabana Gay Beach
B	Ipanema Gay Beach

It won’t take you long to realize why locals refer to Rio de Janeiro as the Cidade Maravilhosa - the “Marvelous City.” The cultural capital of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro never fails to impress.
Is it the beaches that lends Rio such cache?

You won’t find lovelier stretches of sand anywhere. And the men on the sand — at Copacabana’s Bolsa Beach and Ipanema’s Farme de Amoedo (or “Farme Gay”) — are jaw-droppingly gorgeous.

Both beaches are a great place to meet new friends or find out where the in-crowd is headed that evening.

Beach life also thrives at the ‘Farme’ gay beach, just East from the crossroads of Farme de Amoedo. This is Barbie land, a term used to describe the buffed, beautiful and rich gay men who favour this stretch of sand and come from the well off South Side of the city and who mix with local celebrities and the great and good of the city.

Sundays at the gay beach in Ipanema are a must, as are a pair of sunglasses to disguise your stares as the stunning pageant parades by. Ipanema shares with Waikiki a glorious vista of natural beauty (Rio has Sugarloaf, Honolulu has Diamond Head) and a promenade of luxurious hotels ringing the ocean. Yet Ipanema--and its more famous neighbor, the curvaceous Copacabana--also contains the playground athleticism, contented faces, and gleaming hard bodies of Mediterranean beach towns. There's the happy backbeat of lapping surf, soccer balls smacking off thighs, the slap of paddleballs on wood. Silent capoeira dancers leap to these rhythms and to the laughter that accompanies another Brazilian invention, futevole, which resembles beach volleyball (only it's played with a soccer ball, and you can't use your hands).

In order to acclimatise, have a drink at the Girl from Ipanema bar (Garota de Ipanema in Portuguese), the site where Vinicius de Moraes wrote the most famous easy listening song ever. It`s also in Ipanema that the gay stretch of the beach lies. Look for station 9, where muscle boys, beach bunnies and assorted types congregate for their favourite activity: spending the day on the sand, chatting and sipping on lager.

After the beach, between 5-6pm A Bofetada (Farme de Amoedo St) is the meeting place for gay men, lesbians and their straight friends (the scene is very mixed in Rio). A very simple boteco (the local word for bar), it serves tasty appetizers and the addictive caipirinha, Brazil`s premiere cocktail, a delicious mixture of cachaça, crushed lime, sugar and ice. It`s quite easy to just forget about the rest and only do that, but you wouldn`t forgive yourself if you didn`t visit certain landmarks.

Tip: You can rent everything you need at the beach (chair, umbrella etc). The street vendors are very friendly and proudly display the gay flag everywhere. You can be affectionate with your partner without any fear of being judged or looked at. The atmosphere is totally relaxed.

If you wish to go on to eat, you may want to bring a change of clothes, if your hotel is not nearby as some of the better restaurants may not serve you if you are wearing wet speedos!

Copacabana also has a gay beach. Called ‘Bolsa’ it’s mainly frequented by the bear and trans crowds.

Best Hotels By Rio's Gay Beaches

Copacabana - The Copacabana Palace Hotel

The Copacabana Palace Hotel boasts charm and luxury on the seafront of Copacabana, where personal beach service with towels, loungers, sun umbrellas and security are offered for free. On the terrace, enjoy the sun in the outdoor pool and get spoiled by the pool assistants and the Pool Menu from the bar and restaurant.

You can also work out in the well-equipped gym or challenge your partner to a tennis match on the rooftop court. The Hotel is about 2 minutes walk from the Gay Beach at Copacabana.

Check hotel rates from Copacabana Palce Hotel Here

Ipanema - Ipanema Plaza Hotel

Just one block from Ipanema Beach and within walking distance of Copacabana, the Ipanema Plaza has a rooftop terrace with swimming pool and amazing views of Rio de Janeiro.

Golden Tulip Ipanema Plaza offers a range of leisure facilities, including a fitness room and sauna.

The Golden Tulip Plaza is located next to Ipanema's cool hangout Posto 9 and within walking distance of a Metro station, a shopping mall, several shops and restaurants and the famous Farme Gay beach.

Check hote rates from the Ipanema Plaza Hotel Here.