While pop culture has made the sandy beaches of Brazil famous for generous sightings of sexy women in tiny bikinis, the sunny beach spots in this South American country has far more in store. Rio de Janeiro is the most popular region when it comes to sandy beaches with Copacabana Beach leading the pack.

Due its popularity Copacabana is often crowded with locals and tourists alike. There are a lot of beachfront restaurants, bars, clubs, and hotels. If you're looking for a more relaxed beach location, Ipanema and Leblon are better choices. These sandy beaches have family-friendly facilities including an area where moms and babies can hang out together.

Although the most well-known, Rio de Janeiro is not the only spot in Brazil with beautiful sandy beaches. Between Rio and Sao Paulo is Costa Verde where you can find long stretches of breath-taking coastline. Sun-kissed sandy beaches are dotted with charming fishing villages that offer a respite to the bustling metropolis of Rio. There are accessible hotels and restaurants in Costa Verde as well so you can still enjoy the touristy comforts and conveniences minus the dizzying crowds.

There are also sandy beaches in other areas such as Bahia and Ceara States. They may not be comparable in elegance and convenience to other nearby beaches but they do offer a certain rustic quality, not to mention more peaceful sunsets, that you'd be hard-pressed to find in more popular areas.