Posto 6 is the closest to Ipanema

Copacabana is larger, with several distinct areas

Posto 6 is a sort of transition neighborhood, once you cross Rua Bulhões de Carvalho you pass the border from Ipanema to South Copacabana. And there's also Arpoador, that can be seen from historical Forte de Copacabana. Posto 5 is also near, and you are in a walking distance from famous gay clubs like Le Boy and La Girl.

Central Copacabana stretches into Bairro Peixoto and there's a tunnel linking it to Botafogo, across the hill. There are many hotels, a few gay health clubs, and a subway station keeps you near everything else.

North Copacabana, also known as Lido, is the historical art-deco district dotted with priceless buildings - including the legendary Hotel Copacabana Palace. You are near Leme, Copacabana's Beach Sister.

Leme and Copacabana are the same beach

Yet Leme is somewhat less touristy than Copa

Once you go past Av. Princesa Isabel, a large avenue that ends up in another tunnel to Botafogo, you are in Leme. This is a smaller and more residential neighborhood, but there are excellent hotels. Traditional Le Meridién is currently closed for renovations by a local chain of hotels.

The horse-shoe shaped beach glows at night

Copacabana Beach, Princess of the Sea

They could be the tiara or pearl necklace of Yemanjá, the Deity of Rivers and Seas. Copacabana Beach is where the city celebrates New Year's, LGBT Pride, the Christmas Parade... It's about 4 km long, with room for everyone.

And the sands of the beach are often the stage to international beach-volleyball competitions. A large part of the beach was reclaimed and some parts are wide enough to accommodate these larger structures. The reputation of the beach at night had been somewhat tarnished by Club Help, but they have now closed it down. The Museum of Image and Sound is being built on its former spot.