Ipanema
is a neighborhood located on the southern region of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between Leblon and Arpoador. The beach at Ipanema became widely known by the song "The Girl from Ipanema" ("Garota de Ipanema
"), written by Antonio Carlos Jobim.
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History
Most of the land that Ipanema consists of today once belonged to
José Antonio Moreira Filho, Baron of Ipanema. The word "Ipanema" comes from the old
Tupi language, meaning "bad water". In this case, it means bad for
fishing, since the waves die too close to the sand, pushing fish away.
Ipanema gained fame with the start of the
bossa nova sound, when its residents
Antônio Carlos Jobim and
Vinícius de Moraes created their ode to their neighborhood, "
Girl from Ipanema." The song was written in 1962, with music by
Jobim and Portuguese lyrics by
de Moraes with English lyrics written later by
Norman Gimbel.
Character
Ipanema is adjacent to
Copacabana beach, but it is distinct from its neighbor. It is relatively easy to navigate because the streets are aligned in a grid. Private infrastructure has created world-class restaurants, shops, and cafes. Ipanema is one of the most expensive places to live in Rio. At the forefront of the beach culture are the many surfers and sun worshippers who socialize daily at the beach. Every Sunday, the roadway closest to the beach is closed to motor vehicles and local residents and tourists use the opportunity to ride bikes, roller skate, skateboard, and walk along the ocean.
Ipanema has played its own role in Rio's culture since its beginning. It has universities, art galleries, theaters and cafes.
Ipanema holds its own street parade during
Carnival festivities, separate from
Rio de Janeiro's.
Banda de Ipanema attracts up to 15,000 people to the streets of Ipanema for Carnival.
Beach
It is famously known for its elegance and social qualities. Two mountains called the "Dois Irmãos" (Two Brothers) rise at the western end of the beach. The beach is divided into segments by marks known as "postos" (lifeguard towers). Beers are sold everywhere on the beach along with the traditional
cachaça. There are always circles of people playing
football,
volleyball, and
footvolley, a combination sport of volleyball and football originated in
Brazil.
In the winter the
surf can reach 10–15 feet. The water quality varies with days of light-blue water to a more murky green after heavy rains. Constant swells keep the water clean. The often treacherous beach break regularly forms barrels.
One interesting thing about Ipanema's beach is that there is an area called "the gay beach," situated near Rua Farme de Amoedo; which is well-known for being a gay-friendly area, with the
rainbow flag floating in the air.
Just west of this colorful section and towards
Leblon is another popular stretch of sand known as Posto Nove (aptly named after the 9th lifeguard tower) where young and often beautiful
carioca men and women hipsters congregate.
The
Travel Channel listed Ipanema Beach as the sexiest
beach in the world.
Posto 9
This is one of the most exciting points of this beach. Since the 60's when Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes immortalized Ipanema, the place is the point of encounter of celebrities, soccer players, artists, and models.
Safety
Ipanema is generally regarded as one of the safest districts in
Zona Sul. It is a mostly middle to upper middle class neighborhood being the second most affluent neighborghood in Rio after
Leblon, which has communities of large residential homes. As such, it is usually patrolled by more police than other areas of the city.
View of Ipanema