On Rio's beachfront, nobody says "see you in Copacabana": they say "at Posto 5" or "in front of Posto 9." The postos are lifeguard stations spread along the beach, and they work as an informal address system. This guide explains how to use them to find your way and keep your group together on a beach several kilometers long.
At a glance
- What they are: numbered lifeguard stations along the beach. The number is used as a reference point.
- How they're ordered: in Copacabana and Ipanema, the numbers go up as you move from Copacabana toward Ipanema. City Hall places Posto 2 in front of Praça do Lido and Posto 5 in front of Rua Sá Ferreira.
- To meet up: agree on posto + beach + something visible (a kiosk, a cross street). "Posto 9" alone isn't enough when it's crowded.
- Watch out for repeated numbers: other beaches, such as Barra da Tijuca, have their own numbering.
- A posto tells you nothing about the water: check water quality in INEA's bulletin.
What a posto is
They're lifeguard bases, with a large number visible from the sand and the promenade. Cariocas use those numbers to describe where they are on the beach, and city agencies also use them to locate events, road closures and operations.
That's why you'll see postos in official notices: for example, in March 2026 CET-Rio announced a race starting near Posto 2 and turning around at Posto 6 ↗, before continuing along Rua Francisco Otaviano toward Ipanema.
Reference points published by City Hall
We didn't find an official map with the exact location of every posto, so we only use reference points published by city agencies:
- Posto 2, Copacabana: in front of Praça do Lido, according to Comlurb ↗. The official vans to Christ the Redeemer leave from Praça do Lido, "near Posto 2," according to Paineiras Corcovado ↗.
- Posto 5, Copacabana: in front of Rua Sá Ferreira, according to the same Comlurb notice.
- Posto 6, Copacabana: where you turn into Rua Francisco Otaviano, near the Forte de Copacabana, according to the CET-Rio ↗ route.
- Posto 8, Ipanema: on Avenida Vieira Souto, according to that same route.
- Posto 9, Ipanema: Riotur ↗ says the beach is a meeting point for young people and tourists, especially near Posto 9.
For the rest, go by the number painted on each station and check the cross street on your phone's map.
How to use the postos to meet up
- Name the posto and the beach. Say "Posto 5 in Copacabana," not just "Posto 5."
- Add a fixed reference. The name of a kiosk, the street opposite or a building you can see from the sand.
- Pick a side. "By the water" or "on the promenade": on a sunny Sunday, the sand in front of a single posto fills up.
- Agree on a plan B. If you lose signal, a time to meet at a spot on the promenade.
- Share your location when you have signal, but don't rely on your phone alone.
For very large events like Réveillon, set your meeting point well ahead: you'll find ideas in the New Year's Eve plan.
What a posto doesn't tell you
- Whether the water is fit for swimming: INEA reports that by sampling point, not by posto. We explain how to read it in how to check if a beach is safe for swimming.
- What the sea is like: follow the flags and the lifeguards' instructions on each stretch.
- What the crowd is like on each stretch: the atmosphere changes with the day, the time and the season. Choose your spot for convenience and services, not for a number's reputation.
Frequently asked questions
Are there postos on every beach?
Lifeguard stations are on many of the city's beaches, but there's no single numbering: Avenida Lúcio Costa, in Barra da Tijuca, also has a "Posto 12," according to CET-Rio ↗. That's why it's best to always say the name of the beach.
Can I ask for help at a posto?
Postos are lifeguard bases. In an emergency at sea, alert the nearest lifeguard or call the Fire Department at 193.
What's the best posto to stay near?
It depends on where you're staying and what you're looking for. To choose a neighborhood, see the beach guide and the guides to Copacabana and Ipanema.
Sources: CET-Rio: operation of March 8, 2026 ↗, Comlurb: operations plan of November 2024 ↗, Paineiras Corcovado ↗ and Riotur: Ipanema ↗, accessed October 27, 2026.