What You Need To Know About Brazilian Beach Culture

There’s a really good reason why the expression “tenha uma boa praia” or “have a good beach” is so popular with Rio locals. It is used to express “have a good day,” but it’s truly revealing as it shows how important the beach is to the people of Brazil. The beach is a lifestyle, not just a place to go for vacation. There are certain rules of etiquette at the beach there, especially in Rio that you should be aware of before you go. Here are some things you should keep in mind, and remember that these actually make your beach experience more enjoyable.

Don’t Take A Lot Of Stuff

There’s really no need to bring a lot of things with you when you go to the beach here. It’s actually a faux pas to come with tons of supplies. You actually don’t even need to bring a towel. Here it’s common to bring a canga, which is the Brazilian term for a sarong, cash, and maybe a volleyball.

No Shirt, No Problem

You really don’t need to wear much to the beach, but don’t get the wrong idea. Bikini tops stay put, but that doesn’t mean that these get really tiny. Brazilian beaches are known for the “bum bum,” the Brazilian butt that spends a lot of time in the sun. Women of all ages and sizes enjoy tanning their cheeks, and men take in the fun as well by wearing sunga bathing suits, which are like speedos with less in the butt area. If you are more covered up on a Brazilian beach, you’ll actually draw more attention to yourself than if you were wearing a thong bikini!

Don’t Bring Food

It’s considered borderline rude to bring your own snacks to the beach, but don’t worry, there are plenty of fantastic options to try while you’re tanning on the sand. Try an Acai cup, caipirinha, some seasoned cheese on a stick, iced tea, puffed up crispy Globo, or empanadas, which are all sold by vendors that walk along the beach. Wave them down and enjoy these affordable snacks as you enjoy the sunshine.

There’s No Bad Time To Beach

Here, there’s really no wrong time to go to the beach. Whether it’s a Monday in May or a Saturday in June, you really can’t go wrong whenever you’re in the mood for some sun and waves. Summer goes from December to February, and it is definitely the most popular time to be on the beach. However, the popular beaches tend to be populated all year round, but that’s actually part of the fun.

Watch Your Things

Of course, if you’re a tourist, you probably already know to do this regardless of where you are. However, in Brazil, if you go for a swim and leave your things behind, it’s pretty much guaranteed to disappear. This is part of why people don’t bring a lot of things to the beach in general. However, make sure you have someone with you or ask a trustworthy neighbor to watch your things when you go for a dip.