Mirroring Vidigal's stunning view of Ipanema and Leblon, the giant, jagged rock jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean marks the eastern end of the sands of Arpoador. Widely declared to be the best place to watch the sunset fall serenely beyond the Dois Irmãos peaks and, to the applause of summer's watching crowds, dip into the sea (and providing one of Brazil's only watery sunsets), surfers, stoners, photographers and romancing couples all rub shoulders on the rocks.

For obvious reasons, it isn't the most comfortable seat in the house but few could complain. As the day draws to a close, the crowds flock to the rock in anticipation, timing their arrival to coincide with the sunset love-in. On weekends and clear days things become crowded all day thanks to surfers and the more daring swimmers leaping in, whilst to the rear, between the rock's edge and Praia do Diabo, is an outdoor gym, lovingly nicknamed 'muscle beach' but far less glamorous than the Malibu-esque visions that the name might conjure up.