There is some construction going on but many parts of the beach are available no problem. I am not a big fan of them widening the beach. Where they did it further down the beach now is very wide with very few shady areas near the road. So if you sit there a) you get very hot and b) it's a long (hot) walk to the sea. I prefer the area in front of the Copacabana where we still have the lovely big trees for shade and a short walk to the sea. Second half of October might be a bit rainy, bring your umbrellas.