I am convinced that in Rio de Janeiro, you could arrive at the beach with nothing but your wallet and still have everything you need for a perfect day.

Now, before anyone calls the police, let me clarify: arrive wearing clothes. The first part of this story is a joke. The second part is surprisingly true.

Brazilian beaches are like outdoor shopping malls, food courts, sports centers, and social clubs all rolled into one giant stretch of sand. All you really need to bring is a little money and a willingness to relax.

One thing that immediately impressed me was the work ethic of the beach vendors. Walking up and down soft sand all day carrying coolers, chairs, umbrellas, and merchandise is no easy task. After watching them for a few hours, you’ll probably get tired just from watching.

Need something? Chances are, someone is already walking toward you, selling it.

During a typical day at the beach, I’ve seen vendors offering:

• Beach toys, inflatable pools, soccer balls, paddle-ball sets, buckets, and shovels
• Phone cases
• Cold drinks
• Fresh snacks and food
• Corn in a dish, perfectly seasoned
• Grilled cheese on a stick
• Chips or globo snacks, salty and sweet
• Ice cream
• T-shirts
• Blankets
• Towels
• Candy
• Cigarettes
• Chairs and umbrellas for rent
• Jewelry
• Sunglasses
• Bathing suits

In fact, if you somehow forgot your bathing suit, don’t worry. Someone is probably selling one just a few steps away. I would recommend making that your first purchase. Sand has a way of finding places you didn’t know existed.

Once you’ve found your perfect spot, the experience becomes wonderfully simple. Sit down, enjoy the ocean breeze, and watch as nearly everything you might want comes to you. Hungry? Food arrives. Thirsty? Drinks arrive. Need sunglasses because you forgot yours? Someone has you covered.

Don’t forget the staple of Brazil, the footwear icon, the one and only Havaianas

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