I Discovered the Truth Behind TripAdvisor’s Top Beach — And It Shocked Me

Brazil Has always been like a mythical realm in my mind. This astonishing land houses both the Amazon Rainforest and shores where award-winning music has been crafted. The allure of this South American nation cannot be overlooked. Additionally, it takes roughly an 11-hour journey through the skies to reach Brazil from here. London , implying it's not a place where you can easily drop by, which is why I chose to spend three weeks there earlier this year.

Whilst I was indeed in Rio de Janeiro for the yearly Carnival festivities , which also holds the title of the largest carnival globally, a visit to Rio de Janeiro, formerly known as Brazil’s capital, wouldn’t be complete without participating in some festivities. beach Indeed, with around 83 kilometres of shoreline and 99 beaches where one can easily settle in for sun and surf, swimwear and flip-flops become almost obligatory outfits in the city. It doesn’t take long to realise that visiting the beach is not just something people do; it’s a lifestyle embraced by many of Rio de Janeiro's locals.

One beach stood out in my memory before visiting Brazil—Ipanema Beach. Celebrated in the second most-recorded pop song ever, “The Girl from Ipanema,” which was first recorded by Brazilian vocalist Astrud Gilberto, this tune has subsequently been interpreted by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Eartha Kitt, and Amy Winehouse over the years.

It was also included in TripAdvisor’s “Top Picks for Beaches” list for 2025, which honours shores that accumulate numerous “exceptional service” reviews from visitors on the platform.

It’s fair to say I harboured great expectations for this magnificent beach, lauded by both musicians and tourists. I envisioned myself standing on miles of pristine white sands, gazing at the azure waters of the South Atlantic, with the famous Two Brothers Mountains framing the view behind me.

However, as is often the case, reality doesn’t always match up to our imagination. Given that I was in Rio for Carnaval, which reportedly draws around two million tourists, the beach was utterly crowded with barely any room left at all.

Maybe I'm accustomed to having more swimming spots in Europe, so this didn’t feel like the peaceful beach encounter I’m used to. However, witnessing how the city flocks to Ipanema was unquestionably bizarre.

The city extends right up to the water’s edge, where stalls offer a range of items including swimwear, snacks, and lounging chairs, so you hardly need to move at all.

Although it may differ from the conventional beach scene, this setting truly encapsulates the essence of the city. Amidst games of volleyball, outdoor fitness areas, and beaches lined with lively bars filled with revelers, various activities unfold simultaneously along a single strip of shoreline. Even just a couple of hours in Ipanema can make you feel as though you've stepped into an entirely different realm.

Going to Rio during Carnival wasn’t ever going to be a laid-back affair, regardless of my proximity to the shore, yet witnessing the sunset as festivities overflowed onto the beach remains etched in my memory.