Before arriving in Rio de Janeiro, I assumed the city would have a slower, more laid-back feel to it.
I imagined people lingering over coffee at seaside cafés, surfers heading into the waves, friends gathering for a game of volleyball, and families slowly making their way onto the sand. After visiting other coastal destinations, that was simply the picture I had in my mind. Since I was staying only a few steps from one of the world’s most famous beaches, I assumed life would naturally revolve around it.
Instead, Rio greeted me with something completely different.
It was only around six o’clock in the morning when I stepped outside the hotel for my first walk to Ipanema Beach. Almost immediately, I noticed how alive the city already was. Cars filled the avenue in both directions, runners streamed past on the bike path, and cyclists seemed to be everywhere. Everyone appeared to be moving with purpose.
For a moment, I forgot I was standing beside one of the world’s most famous beaches. The city’s energy reminded me more of New York than the relaxed coastal atmosphere I had imagined. Having lived in New York for ten years, that familiar rhythm made me feel at home almost immediately.
I crossed the street and stepped onto the soft sand. The beach was still quiet, but the ocean certainly wasn’t. Huge waves crashed against the shore with so much force that, before I knew it, I was soaked almost up to my hips. I continued walking along the water, admiring Two Brothers Mountain rising above the beach. A light mist hovered just above the sand, giving the whole scene a peaceful, almost mystical feeling.
As I walked farther down the beach, I noticed several sand courts already full of people practicing footvolley. I had been hoping to see the sport during my visit since it’s such a big part of Rio’s beach culture. I stopped for a few minutes to watch. It was incredible what some of the players could do. The game looked effortless, but I had a feeling it was anything but easy.
A little farther along, I spotted a fenced-off area where people were already doing CrossFit. Inspired by everyone around me, I decided to jog for a while. That idea lasted only a few minutes. The sand was much softer than I expected, my feet slid with every step, and the sloping shoreline made running surprisingly difficult. Suddenly, I understood why everyone had chosen the bike path instead.
That first morning, I learned that Ipanema Beach wasn’t just a famous beach tourists came to visit. It was part of everyday life—a place to exercise, play sports, and spend time with friends and family. Somehow, that made it even more beautiful.
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