This strip of sand squeezed between high-rise buildings and Baía da Guanabara is one of the most famous beaches on the planet. Curvy girls and their bikinis mingle with wannabe footballers practicing in their sand pitches. Locals and tourists sip on caipirinhas at the kiosks, swaying to samba and bossa nova. Favela kids and local families play alongside each other until the sun goes down. Add a gay-friendly section complete with the rainbow flag and thousands of sun-kissed bodies to the mix.