We are an american-brazilian family and go to Rio every couple of years to visit family so we have stayed in many different beach locations in Rio and this is definitely our favorite spot. It is a great neighborhood (Jardim Oceanico / Praia do Pepe) for active people who want to rent surfboards, paddleboard or kayak offshore ~1.5 miles to the islands, or kitesurf (world famous location). It is also the beach where lifeguards are trained for the city. You can watch all of this from the balcony of this apartment while listening to the waves crash. There is also a fantastic scene for restaurants and live music just a block and a half away. Amazing white sand beaches in Barra and cleaner with less traffic than the famous zona sul beaches. Groceries, pharmacy, sport rentals, restaurants, music, etc., all easily walkable.