In many beach destinations, the beach is a place you go to: somewhere outside the city, with the whole day planned around it. Rio works differently. Here, the beach sits right next to apartment buildings and offices, and for those of us who live near it, it’s part of everyday life. Since most visitors stay in the South Zone, that’s the lifestyle that defines what to wear at the beach in Rio de Janeiro, and what to wear after it.
Because the beach is so close, it’s normal to fit in a swim between other plans, after work or before lunch with friends. That shows up in the way we dress: beachwear gets adapted to work in the city, though always in moderation.
Nowhere is that clearer than with footwear. Havaianas, Brazil’s classic flip-flop brand, go everywhere here, from bars to restaurants to shopping malls. I always say my idea of perfect weather is any day I can leave the house in Havaianas, and they’re what I wear most in Rio.
In this guide, I’ll go through what we actually wear at the beach and after it, so you can pack versatile, practical pieces that work for your whole day, not just the hours on the sand.
What to wear at the beach in Rio de Janeiro
A beach outfit in Rio needs very little: swimwear, a canga, a pair of Havaianas and good sun protection. These are the pieces I always have with me, and what I recommend you bring.
Swimwear for women
Brazilian bikinis run smaller than what's standard in many other countries, and that's often the first thing visitors worry about. My advice: don't overthink it before the trip. Rio's beaches are full of every style and coverage level, from tiny bikinis to full swimsuits, and nobody is paying attention to what you're wearing. Bring what makes you comfortable.
I like to wear a one-piece on the days I plan to swim, for comfort, and a bikini when I just want to sunbathe. If you want a feel for Brazilian bikini styles, Salinas, Blue Man and Lenny Niemeyer are the brands you'll see most on the sand.
Swimwear for men
For men, short swim shorts are the most common choice here, even more than the sunga, the short Brazilian-style swim brief. Both are completely normal. What you won't see much are long, knee-length boardshorts, so if you want to blend in, go shorter.
The canga
If there's one piece I'd tell you to get, it's a canga. It's a light sarong that replaces the beach towel: you lay it on the sand, sand doesn't stick to it the way it does to a towel, and it dries in minutes. When you leave the beach, you tie it as a skirt or wear it as a dress, and you're ready for lunch.
Beach towels, on the other hand, aren't really a thing in Rio. Some hotels provide them, but it's not something you need to think about packing.
If you don't have one, don't worry. Cangas are one of the most-sold items on the beach itself, and they make a great souvenir, especially the ones with Rio prints or the Brazilian flag.
Three ways to tie a canga after the beach: as a skirt, a halter dress or wide-leg pants
Havaianas and sandals
Havaianas are the shoes of a beach day in Rio, and honestly of most days. They're easy to slip off on the sand, they don't mind getting wet, and they work everywhere you'll go afterwards. I recommend packing a pair before the trip, so you can head straight to the beach as soon as you arrive. And if you fall for them, as most visitors do, you'll find plenty of stores here to pick up a second pair as a souvenir.
Sun protection
The sun in Rio is strong, even on cloudy days, and it's easy to underestimate it when there's a breeze coming off the ocean. I always bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
I avoid the beach between 11 AM and 4 PM, when the sun is at its strongest, and I always rent an umbrella from one of the beach tents for extra shade. UV-protective shirts are also more and more common on Rio's beaches, so you won't look out of place if you bring one.
For more on how hot it gets and how the weather changes through the year, see my guide to the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro.
What to bring to the beach in Rio (and what to leave at the hotel)
I always bring a tote bag to the beach, because I never go without a book or my Kindle, plus sunscreen, my phone and an ID. That's really all you need to carry. Everything else is right there on the sand: food, drinks, chairs and umbrellas are all available from vendors and the beach tents (barracas).
What I'd leave at the hotel: your passport, jewelry and anything you'd be upset to lose. Not because the beach is dangerous, but because there's no reason to have it there.
When you want to go for a swim, it's very common in Rio to ask the people next to you to keep an eye on your things. What's unusual is leaving your stuff unattended. I explain this and other beach habits in more detail in my guide to Rio beach culture.
A chair and an umbrella cost around R$25 for the whole day, paid in cash or Pix. If you're not sure what Pix is or how to pay for things in Rio, my guide to payments in Rio covers it.
After the beach: what works around town
This is where Rio is different. Your beach outfit doesn’t end when you leave the sand, and leaving the beach doesn’t mean going back to the hotel to change.
With a light dress over your swimwear, or even a canga tied as a skirt, and your Havaianas on, you can walk along the beachfront, stop for lunch, grab a juice at a juice bar or run errands in the neighborhood. For men, a breathable shirt and shorts over your swim trunks do the same job.
You'll see this all the time in Rio, with a couple of unwritten rules: don't walk into places soaking wet or covered in sand, and keep in mind that some places, mostly restaurants at dinnertime, expect proper casual clothes rather than beachwear.
I like pieces that go from sand to street without changing: linen trousers, light dresses, or a linen shirt with shorts. My favorites are a few long T-shirt dresses I own, perfect for those days when I go from the gym to a quick swim and straight to lunch.
Where beachwear stops working
What doesn't work is wearing just a bikini or swim trunks away from the beach, especially indoors: on the metro, at the bank or at the supermarket. You might see it happen, but it's not the norm. Throw something over your swimwear and you'll fit right in.
If you're heading to dinner afterwards, a collared linen shirt for men or a simple dress is usually enough to elevate things. For more on what to wear around the city, from dinners to nights out, see my guide to what to wear in Rio de Janeiro.
Buying beachwear in Rio de Janeiro
My honest recommendation: pack light on beachwear and leave room in your bag. Buying a bikini, a canga or a pair of Havaianas here is part of the experience, and you'll find styles and prints you won't see at home.
My favorite beachwear brands are Salinas, Cia. Marítima and Lenny Niemeyer, with prices starting at around R$150. For more variety at lower prices, department stores like Renner and C&A have a big selection starting at around R$90.
You can also shop right on the sand. Beach vendors sell swimwear in every style, plus cangas and cover-ups, usually starting at around R$50.
If you'd rather have everything sorted before the trip, the packing list below has the basics.
Beach packing list
These are the beach essentials I recommend having with you in Rio:
Swimwear (two sets, so one can dry)
A canga or light sarong.
Havaianas or slides
A small crossbody bag
Reef-safe sunscreen
Sunglasses and a hat
A light dress, cover-up or linen shirt for after the beach
A waterproof phone pouch
For everything else you'll need for the trip, see my full Rio de Janeiro packing list.
Keep planning your trip to Rio de Janeiro
Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro
The best and safest areas to stay, with my favorite hotels.
What to do in Rio de Janeiro
Beyond the beach, the best things to do in the city.
Best time to visit Rio de Janeiro
Rio is warm all year, but never the same. Find out what each season brings.
Is Rio de Janeiro expensive?
What things really cost, and how to plan your budget.
5 days in Rio de Janeiro
Options to combine Botafogo with the city's essentials.
Rio de Janeiro travel mistakes
The most common mistakes first-timers make, and how to avoid them.
Best restaurants in Rio de Janeiro
Food is part of the experience and Rio doesn’t disappoint.
What to Wear at the Beach in Rio de Janeiro - FAQ
Can I wear a bikini anywhere in Rio?
On the sand, of course. Once you leave the beach, just add a layer: a canga, a light dress or a cover-up over your bikini is enough for lunch, a juice or a walk along the beachfront. What isn't the norm is wearing only a bikini in places like the metro, the bank or the supermarket.
Do I need a beach towel in Rio?
Not really. Most people here use a canga instead: it's lighter, dries faster and doesn't hold sand. It's also the easiest souvenir to bring home.
Can I wear Havaianas to restaurants in Rio?
At most casual places, yes. Havaianas are worn everywhere in Rio, from bars to shopping malls. The exception is some restaurants at dinnertime, which expect proper casual clothes rather than beachwear.
What should men wear to the beach in Rio?
Short swim shorts or a sunga, Havaianas, and a light shirt for when you leave the sand. The one thing you won't see much on Rio's beaches is long, knee-length boardshorts.
How much does swimwear cost in Rio?
It depends on where you buy. Beach vendors start at around R$50, department stores like Renner and C&A at around R$90, and Brazilian beachwear brands at around R$150.
Written by Karina
Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Karina spent over a decade working in the tourism industry, with experience in some of the world's leading travel destinations. She created Going to Rio to bring that same standard of practical, traveler-first guidance to visitors exploring Rio de Janeiro. Learn more about Karina
In Rio, your beach outfit lasts all day. What to wear at the beach in Rio de Janeiro, from swimwear and cangas to Havaianas, and how to go straight to lunch.