Ipanema Beach and Copacabana Beach are a paradise for people watching, sunbathing and socializing. On weekends the avenues along the beaches are closed to traffic and they become great long promenades of people dressed in every manner of attire–including uninhibited men and women dressed in tiny swimsuits. The atmosphere is mellow, respectful, playful and friendly with virtually no sign of the crime so often reported by the media. The beaches are miles long and accommodate tens of thousands of people; the crowds vary according to the weather.