Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1 March 2024 It’s the last day of the trip and I will be catching a flight later today back to the UK. So I decided to spend the morning at the beach, so I headed over to Copacabana beach. There’s plenty of people taking out morning exercises and beach volleyball.

The restaurants, cafes and bars are open. After Copacabana beach, I decided to visit to Ipanema beach. Ipanema Beach is smaller than Copacabana beach and is quieter.

There are fewer bars and restaurants on the beach and no beach volleyball etc. The neighborhood is also more expensive. After ipanema, I decided to explore Copacabana fort.

Copacabana Fort is a military base on a headland between Copoacabana and Ipanema beaches. The fort is open to the public and contains an Army Historical Museum and a coastal defense. Entry costs 10 Brazilian Reals.

The fort provides a great view of Copacanabana beach and the surrounding mountains. It’s also a great spot for food and drink epsecially under the cool shade of the trees in the mid-day heat. The military museum tells you the story of how Portugal because a republic and the role of the Army.

The defence dome is also interesting and worth a look. It has gun turrets pointed to the sea. Back to hotel and it is time to head to the airport to catch my flight.

I catch a last glimpse of the Sugarloaf Mountain on the way. As it gets dark, it is time to say good bye to Rio. My first visit here was short, but it left me wanting to come back.

Definitely .