Leblon beach picks up where Ipanema ends, separated only by the Jardim de Alah canal, and shares the same beautiful arc of sand framed by the twin peaks of Dois Irmãos at its western end. It is calmer and more residential than its neighbour — the stretch near Posto 11, nicknamed the baixo baby, is a gathering point for families with small children, and the overall mood is a notch more low-key than the see-and-be-seen energy of Ipanema.
The wave-pattern promenade carries on from Ipanema, lined with kiosks for coconut water and caipirinhas, and the upscale streets behind the sand hold some of Rio's best restaurants. Walk to the far end for the cliffside Mirante do Leblon and one of the city's great sunset views.