Arpoador, Rio de Janeiro

Arpoador (literally, the harpoon thrower) is a region located on the southern zone of the city Rio de Janeiro, in a small peninsula between Ipanema and Copacabana. It is not officially recognized as a neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, with part of its territory belonging officially to the neighbourhood of Ipanema, and the remaining part belonging officially to the neighbourhood of Copacabana.

Surfing

Arpoador is mostly known for being one of the best metropolitan surf spots in Rio de Janeiro. The rock outcropping creates stable left breakers up to 7–10 feet high (wave face measure, as Brazilians do).

Given its metropolitan location, crowds are ferocious and competitive. Given the fact that waves start to break against the rock on a good day, and that a strong riptide along the promontory creates a quick re-entry, the take-off point is very small and only locals (or visiting professional-level surfers) have a shot at it.

Sunset

During some time around midsummer it is possible, from Arpoador, to see the sun setting over the sea, a rare event on the generally eastward-facing Brazilian coast. In these occasions crowds gather around the place and cheer when the sun disappears.

Walking

Arpoador is a very popular place for tourists and locals to walk. Arpoador lies at the end of a 4km walk from Leblon with a number of cafes located there to allow people to stop to look at the sea or watch the sun come down. The rock itself is open to the public, with a number of walkways in place to make it easier to scale the rocks.

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
AFAR Media
25 September 2014
The rocks at Arpoador have trails that are great for walking and to see sunrise and the best sunset in the city. People used to clap during sunset. It’s wonderful.
Mark W
9 March 2014
Great place to watch the sunset. Go out on the rocks for the best view and join the many locals taking in the view as well. Very safe, lots of police around.
Alex Tambu
24 January 2015
A great place to watch the sunset, really beautiful. However, it's very crowded, so get there really really early if you want to have a nice place to sit and relax.
Lize J
16 January 2019
Gorgeous walk from posto 10 to Arpoador at late afternoon, people are selling jewelry, food and art along the beachside. Stunning ????
funky flavor
11 January 2017
Must come here to watch the suset. Go to the rocks and enjoy. Bring your pet!
Ana Luisa Soares Couto
8 August 2014
Amazing sunset. Great place to go even when it's cloudy.
Load more comments
foursquare.com
8.1/10
Alexey Ramensky, Nadya Popova and 155,152 more people have been here
Map
0.4km from Rua Garota de Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Get directions
Sun 9:00 AM–8:00 PM
Mon 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Tue Noon–1:00 PM
Wed-Thu 4:00 PM–8:00 PM
Fri 11:00 AM–8:00 PM

Arpoador Beach on Foursquare

Arpoador, Rio de Janeiro on Facebook

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Américas Granada Hotel

starting $39

Ibis Rio de Janeiro Centro

starting $50

Rio's Presidente Hotel

starting $31

Belga Hotel

starting $28

Ibis Budget Rio de Janeiro Centro

starting $33

Hotel Carioca

starting $20

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Fort Copacabana

Fort Copacabana (Portuguese: Forte de Copacabana, IPA: ]) is a

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Praia de Ipanema

A praia de Ipanema localiza-se no bairro de Ipanema, na zona Sul da

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Copacabana (Rio de Janeiro)

Copacabana is a borough located in the southern zone of the city Rio

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon

Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon (Portuguese: Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas) is a

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Cemitério São João Batista

Cemitério São João Batista (Cemetery of Saint John the Baptist) is a

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Hipódromo da Gávea

Hipódromo da Gávea is located in Gávea neighborhood, Rio de Ja

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Parque Lage

Parque Lage (in full 'Parque Enrique Lage') is a public park in the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden

The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden or Jardim Botânico is located at

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Kerry Park (Seattle)

Kerry Park is a Шаблон:Convert park on the south slope of Queen Anne

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Alamo Square, San Francisco

Alamo Square is a residential neighborhood and park in San Francisco,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Saint Vladimir Hill

Volodymyrska Hill or Saint Volodymyr Hill (Ukrainian:

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Monteliusvägen

Monteliusvägen är ett promenadstråk norr om bebyggelsen vid Ma

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Parque do Tejo

Parque do Tejo is a tourist attraction, one of the Parks in Beirolas,

See all similar places