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Copacabana Beach is famous around the world, but not for the surf. Here, a rare classic day at the urban spot. Photo: Luiz Blanco
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This is Recreio dos Bandeirantes with Pedra da Gávea in the background. It almost stands as a mark for people in this area of the city. Photo: Luiz Blanco
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This is Leblon, a total urban beach near the “Dois Irmãos” mountain. Photo: Luiz Blanco
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Ipanema is another famous beach in Rio. It's full of empty peaks but it doesn’t break that often. Photo: Luiz Blanco
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Good waves are not that common in Rio de Janeiro, but they exist. Photo: Luiz Blanco
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Arpoador, another rocky spot in the corner of Ipanema Beach. Photo: Luiz Blanco
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Vidigal beach is a small forgotten one. Photo: Luiz Blanco
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This is Pedra da Gávea at dawn. The headland here is almost 900-meters high, and just in front of the sea. You can go up on a hike and see almost the whole city from here. Photo: Luiz Blanco
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Leme beach, in the corner of Copacabana beach. A left wedge near the rock. Photo: Luiz Blanco
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São Conrado beach has a great view of Rio de Janeiro’s beautiful mountains. It has some days of good waves too. Photo: Luiz Blanco
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Morning waves at Copacabana Beach. Photo: Luiz Blanco
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A beautiful scene at Leme beach. Photo: Luiz Blanco
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The city is a big one and has lacks any empty space. Photo: Luiz Blanco
Rio de Janeiro is a big city that’s full of problems. We have violence, poverty, traffic jams, and a lot of corruption. In the middle of all that we have beautiful beaches and waves, though. Amongst all of the problems, a common thing among “cariocas” ( people who were born in Rio de Janeiro ) is to talk about the beautiful things about the city. In fact, for us, Rio is the most beautiful city in the world.
Rio is not flat at all, with its mountains, lagoons, beaches, and bays all around the city. This unique geography also offers a beautiful perspective of the waves. Almost all the beaches of Rio de Janeiro have an interesting background and a landscape to explore. And sometimes even the buildings, streets, and cycle paths can make for a nice landscape to accompany the view of the waves.
As for the waves themselves, well, they aren’t always great but we know they’re nothing to complain about either. Rio has surf the entire year, the water stays warm, and the sunshine prevails even in the winter. Indeed, we are in the most beautiful city in the world.
Find more from photographer Luiz Blanco on Instagram.