Recreio dos Bandeirantes Beach
Recreio dos Bandeirantes, Rio de Janeiro, Southeast Brazil
Located in the west of Rio de Janeiro, Recreio dos Bandeirantes is serene and secluded—other visitors rarely stray this far from the city, leaving this beach to surfers and locals. Less busy and crowded than the South Zone beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, the beach offers a wealth of activities, from waterfront running and beach volleyball to paddleboarding and surfing. Plus, it’s one of the few Rio beaches where waves are consistently small and gentle, ideal for beginning surfers.
The basics
A visit to Recreio dos Bandeirantes Beach is often combined with a 1-hour hike to the nearby Pedra do Telegrafo, an overhanging rock made famous by its illusory nature and social media-worthy photo opportunities. Alternatively, tick off the beach in conjunction with other coastal gems on a Jeep tour, which typically also cover premium Brazilian beaches such as Barra di Tijuca, Reserva, Macumba and Prainha. Recreio is also a staple of more comprehensive full-day Rio tours, which can be made private and customized.
Things to know before you go
- There are plenty of vendors on the beach, selling everything from fresh coconuts and caipirinha cocktails to Brazilian street food snacks—bring cash as few take cards.
- The beach is monitored by lifeguards, and you’ll see red flags if it’s not safe to go surfing or swimming.
- The nearby neighborhood offers plenty of accommodation options if you wanted to stay overnight in Recreio.
- You can rent surfboards and wetsuits from kiosks in the area, the majority of which also offer surfing lessons for all levels.
How to get there
If you’re traveling by car, it takes around 45 minutes to reach to beach from central Rio, via Av. Governador Carlos. The journey via public transportation takes around 2 hours and can be arduous, with multiple changes. It’s far easier to take a taxi or to visit as part of a tour; tours usually include convenient hotel pickup and drop-off.
When to get there
Though Rio experiences relatively good weather throughout the year, head to the Eternal City between November and March to experience the clearest skies and warmest temperatures. Receiro is always less crowded than nearly Copacabana and Ipanema; however, it can get busy on summer weekends. If you’re heading here to surf, you’ll find the best combination of southern swells and light winds between April and October.
Explore Tijuca National Park
The dense greenery of Tijuca National Park is a reminder that Rio de Janeiro used to be blanketed by rainforest. It’s the world’s largest urban forest and home to ocelots, howler monkeys, and more than 300 bird species. Other features include one of Rio’s iconic landmarks, the Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) statue standing atop Corcovado Mountain, as well as waterfalls.
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