20 Photos Remembering Brazil's Beaches in the 1970s
Brazil’s beaches in the 1970s were less paradise and more spectacle. Swimsuits shouted louder than the waves, umbrellas clashed in neon riots, and sand hosted oversized families and vendors carrying everything from coconut water to questionable souvenirs and snacks.
Snapshots capture a world without Instagram filters. Men flaunted mustaches like national treasures, women balanced impossibly high heels on sand, and kids ran like tiny disasters waiting to happen. Even lifeguards looked like extras from a telenovela, part of the scene.
Flipping through these photos is time-traveling through colorful scenes that somehow made sense then. This is the 1970s beach Brazil used to be.
Beetle Patrol, Florianópolis
VW Beetle parks near a calm bay bordered by palm trees and small cliffs.
Surfboard Escape, Ipanema
Young surfer carries a yellow board across the black-and-white mosaic.
Polka Dot Takeover, Copacabana
Bikinis in stripes and dots cover the sand alongside colorful towels.
Rocky Sunlands, Florianópolis
Sunbathers occupy rocks along the shoreline with houses in the distance.
Sun Dance Off, Copacabana
Two women spin on the sand while others watch from nearby towels.
Pier of Mystery, Florianópolis
Swimmers climb from the water onto a club pier.
Hot Dog Beach Brigade, Ipanema
Three bikini-clad women linger by a “Cachorro Quente” cart, mountains looming behind.
Urban Sandscape, Copacabana
Buildings line the edge of the sand while the beach fills with people.
Shell Conspiracy, Ipanema
Three friends pose wearing bandeau bikinis and small shell necklaces.
Human Floaties, Copacabana
People gather in shallow water, splashing and standing near the shore.
Kite Parade, Copacabana
Vendor offers colorful bird-shaped kites along the promenade.
Spotlight, Copacabana
Close-up shows bronzed skin and bikini straps while sunbathing.
Spike Attack, Ipanema
Men play volleyball near the net with mountains in the background.
Dois Irmãos, Ipanema
Sand stretches toward mountains while sunbathers lie on towels.
Nude Tones & Umbrellas, Copacabana
Muted-seventies bikinis drift under a rainbow of umbrellas, colors clashing delightfully.
Sorvete Italia Shuffle, Copacabana
Ice cream seller opens a wooden cart while children watch nearby.
Mustard Haze, Ipanema
Straw hat, scarf, and mustard bikini stand out among other beachgoers.
Tide Jam, Copacabana
Crowds stand or sit along the shore, waiting for the waves.
Sun Revenge, Ipanema
Sun reflects off wet sand as people walk and play near the water.
Red Bikini Strikes, Copacabana
Woman holds a paddle, focused on the game in progress.
Bikini March, Copacabana
Three women walk across the sand in colorful seventies bikinis and hats.
Lemonade Hustle, Copacabana
Vendor walks along the beach with metallic thermoses and bags of ice.
Paddle Smack, Copacabana
Women swing wooden paddles while others dodge sand and balls.
Foam Wall Wins, Copacabana
Giant waves crash over sunbathers along the shore.
