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Rio de Janeiro

The most famous beach in Rio de Janeiro is the Copacabana - a 4km long stretch of golden sand. Adjacent to Copacabana is Ipanema beach attracting many different crowds. Avenida Atlantica is a seaside avenue running along Copacabana and Leme neighbourhoods. The area in front of the Copacabana Palace hotel known as Bolsa is the gay zone. Arpoador beach is popular among surfers, while Posto 9 and Posto 10 draw a younger crowd.

The gays are concentrated around Farme de Amoedo, also called Farme Gay (rainbow flags can be seen from afar) which has even more cruising than Copacabana Bolsa. Parties are promoted with flyers on beaches so make sure to grab those if you’re interested as the information might be hard to find anywhere else.

The nightlife is centered around Ipanema and Leblon where gay bars and restaurants lie among art galleries, universities, theatres and stylish stores. Most clubs play samba and bossa nova music but you’ll find a fair share of house, techno, pop and hip hop as well.

The annual Carnival in Rio is the biggest in the world with two million people per day in the streets. Usually takes place in February so mark your calendar because the masquerade splendour, street parties and samba can’t be missed. The Rio de Janeiro Pride in early June attracts hundreds of thousands of people from the LGBT community marching three miles along a beach with events all over the city.