Ipanema and Leblon

This aerial view of the beaches looks like it is one contiguous beach, but the two beaches are separated by a shallow canal and park known as Jardim de Ala, or Allah's Garden. Even after the reclamation of the sandy beach area of Leblon, making the beach as wide as Ipanema, it is still better not to swin there after a rain.

Both beaches are upscale neighborhoods, with plenty of restaurants, boutiques, shopping and hotels an easy distance from the water.