Copacabana: The Little Princess of the Sea

 
Copacabana is, by far, the most famous beach in Rio de Janeiro and well known throughout the world. It became immortal in the voices of so many Brazilian singers in the 70s and 80s and it is still sang  in nightclubs and piano bars.

Copacabana is also the name of the neighborhood which has about 150.000 inhabitants. The meaning of the name Copacabana is still controversial, but there are two explanations: a) it came from the Quechua language and it means brilliant spot or blue beach; or b) it came from Aymara language and it means lake sight seeing. The majority of the inhabitants of this neighborhood is composed of senior people, ranging from 55 to 80, but there are lots of young people as well visiting the site.

The beach is popular and it is not too dangerous. The waves are not that big and in some spots along the sand everyone can bath calmly and walk on the shore with no worries. It is also a pleasant place to take a walk in the most famous sidewalk in the world anytime during the day. At night, if you think people are gone, you are wrong: life continues with some souvenir fairs along the streets and, in the summer, it is still crowded during the night and nightfall.

There are lots of hotels for all kind of pockets in Copacabana. From Marriot to the cheapest one in the parallel streets of the neighborhood, you will be so much welcomed and embraced by the locals.