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I've been to Ipanema, but it was 40 years ago! I'm sure it has changed a lot. I was on an epic trip around Brazil at the time that included a long stay in Buzios, about 100 km northeast of Rio. At that time, Buzios was a quiet fishing and resort town, but now it is a huge tourist destination.
Here in Chemnitz, Germany there is a restaurant downtown called Brasil. They have a big outdoor seating area (mostly May to October) and sometimes there are Brazilian tunes playing on the speakers. Even better, I heard a live concert in a city park last week with a live rendition of Girl from Ipanema. Not as good as the original by Astrud Gilberto, but I closed my eyes and pretended I was sipping a caipirinha under a shade tree watching her walk on by and saying Ahhh.
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Here is how I describe Ipanema and the Zona Sul.
Copacabana might be the most famous, most popular during the day but most dangerous of the 3 big beach areas at night. Has the most hotels with tourists which attracts petty thieves.
Ipanema is more a combination of residential and tourist/hotel. A nice balance and it arguably has the nicest hotel: Fasano. Safer than Copacabana and might have the most popular beach, Posto 9, though Copacabana seems to have more beach foot traffic overall.
Leblon is predominantly residential with the fewest hotels; thus safer since there are less targets and mostly well off locals.
That’s how I see it from 8 visits now. Leblon would be my first choice of where to stay as a tourist followed by Ipanema.
But she has dark hair in the article photo of her in her teens. The real "girl from Ipanema" said in an interview back when someone tried to name a shop "The Girl From Ipanema", and she tried to sue them, that she was a German blonde, and was 15 at the time the song was written. Apparently the local older men were enjoying the view whenever she'd walk past on her way to the beach. Blondes always get attention in Latin countries.
That could be an older photo. Many people are born blonde and then many years later their hair naturally changes color. Then it stays like that until its time to turn gray from too much stress, old age or both.
Nowadays with artificial hair colors, a person can be whatever or even never turn gray. However, beneath that artificial hair color is the real one!
I stayed in Ipanema in 2014....great area to stay.
Ipanema Beach is nicely framed by Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers Peak) with a wide sandy beach and nice views. Plus, Ipanema is a very walkable neighborhood with restaurants, bars, hotels and apartments.
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