Praia da Bica

I feel lucky to have had friends in Rio that helped me to have more of a local experience than had I gone into my trip blindly and by myself. Stumbling on Praia da Bica is evidence of the power of local knowledge. It was so nice to get out of the hustle and bustle of Ipanema and check out some other parts of the city.

Whereas Ipanema Beach is overwhelming with the throngs of people and thongs of fabric, Bica Beach is, comparatively chiller and more relaxed. I liken it from going from South Beach to Fort Lauderdale Beach (or, maybe, even down to the Keys). I came here at night time which is the perfect time of day to enjoy the kiosks and restaurants that dot the beachfront. Walking down this malecon, I saw kids playing soccer, beach bums strumming guitar, folks drinking out of coconuts and taking down large beers... basically, everyone was getting a serious chill on. The stretch of kiosks went as far as the eye can see, so if you're trying to see it all, you might walk for a little while. It was night time, so there was no near nudity to be found -- which was fine with me. The entire vibe was so different from my previous beach experiences in Rio that I found myself wanting to melt into a chair with a beer and people watch... or look at the lights along the beach or in the distance... while I listened to music... or, the sound of the waves gently crashing into the beach. It's the quiet normalcy of Praia da Bica that I most remember and cherish. I would, gladly, go back for another evening of relaxation, good company and cold beer.