Barra da Tijuca Beach is the longest of the Rio de Janeiro beaches as well as one of the city's newer neighborhoods and Brazil resorts. Affectionately called "Barra" by the locals, it is more than eleven miles long and quite wide. Set on a long spit of land that is backed by lakes and lagoons, Barra da Tijuca benefits from proximity to a number of the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan attractions.

Just inland from Barra Beach Brazil is the Riocentro Convention Center, which is the largest commercial center of its kind in Latin America. Large international conventions and expositions are held here, including a huge charity fair held annually in November. The neighborhood is also home to a very large shopping mall, with nearly 700 shops and stores, some amusement parks and new Brazil hotels.

A number of natural attractions and features add to the Barra Beach Brazil appeal. Marapendi Lake and Ecological Reserve are home to wildlife such as exotic butterflies, tropical birds, and alligators. Further inland is Barra da Tijuca National Park. The history of this large urban park gives its origins as a reforestation project, and the result is a tropical rainforest that shelters native wildlife and has lowered the median temperature of Rio de Janeiro by several degrees. Even the furthest western part of Barra da Tijuca Beach (called "Prainha," or Little Beach) is an administered biological reserve where car parking is strictly limited.

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There are plenty of dining venues at Barra da Tijuca Beach particularly along the eastern portion of the beach towards Ipanema Beach. Here are many seafood and traditional Brazilian barbecue (churrascaria) restaurants, as well as beach barracas (bars), and stalls that serve both food and drink. One section of the eastern portion of Barra da Tijuca is called "Pepe's Beach," named for a popular man who was a local hang gliding hero and was killed in Japan while participating in the sport.

The water here is quite a greenish color unlike many Rio de Janeiro beaches that have quite blue water. The picture of green ocean with white surf breaking on the very long stretch of clean, soft sand, is quite beautiful. There are strong tides and currents here, so beginner swimmers and novice surfers should take notice, but there are also several surfing schools on the beach if you want lessons. The eastern end (adjoining Sao Corondao) is one of the best Brazil beaches for hang gliding. At eleven miles long, the huge size of Barra da Tijuca Beach means that you can find secluded bathing spots even among the crowds. There's room for both beach and court volleyball, futevolei, wind, and kite surfing.

The bus transportation network serving Barra Beach Brazil also serves Ipanema, Copacabana Beach, and other Rio de Janeiro beaches. Getting to the further end of Barra da Tijuca is a little more problematic and will probably require some walking, as the buses do not go that far and car parking is restricted. But this does make for the most remote stretch of all Brazil beaches in an urban setting. The bonus for surfers who like more remote and less crowded space is that this is where the best Barra da Tijuca Beach surf can be found.