Last updated on December 20, 2023.

On the south end of Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro is Fort Copacabana (Forte de Copacabana). It’s a working military fort open to visitors.

Fort Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fort Copacabana

 

Admission

Admission to the fort is R$10 (as of October 2023) and free on Tuesdays. Only cash is accepted. Guards at the entrance dress in traditional Brazilian military uniforms.

Entrance to Fort Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Entrance to the fort

 

Historic Fort

After paying the admission, there’s a walkway past modern buildings of the fort. At the very end of the walkway is the historic fort and museum.

A walkway along the fort
Fort Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fort Copacabana
Entrance to the historic Fort Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Entrance to the historic fort
Shield above the entrance

The historic fort, built in 1914, has original weapons storage rooms, a small chapel, and other rooms. Some of them have interpretive panels to explain more and others have soldier mannequins.

Weapons storage
Chapel
Room with mannequins
Room with mannequins

Other rooms such as barracks, offices, and even latrines show how soldiers may have lived during the historic fort’s use.

Office at Fort Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Office
Barracks at Fort Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Barracks
Latrine at Fort Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Latrine

 

Top of the Fort

Don’t forget to climb on top of the fort to get phenomenal views of Copacabana and Sugarloaf Mountain. It’s best to go earlier. As you can see by the picture, I went a little too late in the day. Huge cannons are also in place.

View of Copacabana
Cannons

 

Confeitaria Colombo

When you finish visiting the fort, stop at the branch of Rio’s iconic Confeitaria Colombo, Café 18 do Forte. Sit by the ocean and enjoy the same panoramic view from the end of the fort.

Café 18 do Forte, with Sugarloaf in the background at Fort Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Café 18 do Forte, with Sugarloaf in the background
Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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