Bucket list experience:
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil
Rio is a city of beautiful views – and the best views of all are from a helicopter as it floats over the city’s boulder-like mountains, beach-fringed bays and sweeping Atlantic Ocean strands.
All flights fly right up to and face-to-face with the magnificent Christ the Redeemer statue, and drift over the dense rainforest that shrouds Tijuca National Park.
The views – of the city, sparkling bays with golden curves of beach, and hills covered with think rainforest or sprawling favela – are so breathtaking that you’ll be back on land before you remember you have vertigo, and the adrenaline buzz will be with you for the rest of the day.
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Destination Guide >There are three take-off points at Mirante Dona Marta (near Corcovado), Lagoa and Sugar Loaf mountain. From Copacabana and Ipanema, it’s 10 minutes by taxi to Lagoa and 30 minutes by taxi to Mirante Dona Marta; for these heliports you must book ahead. At Sugar Loaf, no bookings are taken; you sign up on a first-come, first-served basis and wait your turn.
Check the forecast before booking, especially during wetter months (December-February). You can choose varying flight paths ranging from 10-30 minutes’ duration; the price increases with the flight time.
Flights run all year round, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset, weather permitting.
Seeing Christ the Redeemer is what makes this special – if it’s wrapped in cloud, then try for another day. The wettest months – with the most cloud – and November to March. April-October, early in the morning when the air is clearest, is best.
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[1.9 miles]
Good-value hipster hotels in upcoming Botafogo with Christ and Sugarloaf views from rooms and the rooftop bar
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Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[2.3 miles]
Rio’s iconic, grand dame hotel has wonderful character, is steeped in history and has a choice beach location.
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Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[2.4 miles]
A 5-star location at 2-star prices – for great value and views, this Copacabana beach tower is hard to beat.
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Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[3.8 miles]
Chic, discreet boutique hotel in a stunning hillside setting away from the beach, with wraparound views of Rio.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Southeastern Region, Brazil
Heaven for healthy hedonists – hang glide, surf or hike by day, relax on the beach and party all night. Then, of course, there’s that carnival…
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[0.3 miles]
A wonderful rainforest and beach walk that winds around Morro da Urca hill next to Sugar Loaf mountain, offering myriad beautiful mountain and ocean views.
Best for ages: 8+ | Free | 45 mins (one way)
Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[1.1 miles]
Rock climb and/or abseil Rio’s most famous landmark, with spectacular bays, beaches and mountains as a backdrop.
Best for ages: 13+ | £35 | 5 hours
Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[1.1 miles]
With stunning views of the Christ statue, Copacabana beach and central Rio, Sugar Loaf is unmissable
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[2.4 miles]
This world-famous 4km crescent is the epicentre of Rio’s beach scene and the perfect place for beach sports and people-watching. It;’s not great for swimming – water quality is especially poor when the tide comes in.
Best for ages: Any | Free
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[4.2 miles]
An Instagram favourite, these colourful mosaic steps were created by Chilean immigrant Jorge Selaron. Visit the bottom end in Lapa (off Rua Joaquim Silva) – the upper reaches in Santa Teresa lie close to a favela and are unsafe.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[4.8 miles]
Even if you’re not religious, this landmark cathedral is worth a stop to admire the building alone. A towering brutalist cone, its dark, cavernous interior is lit with long strips of iridescent modernist stained glass.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[5.3 miles]
Glittering with mirrors, and with gorgeous art deco galleries illuminated by a vast ceiling skylight, this traditional Portuguese coffee house in the city centre is the perfect coffee spot, and a must for lovers of architecture.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[5.3 miles]
This neo-Gothic Verdigris-covered fantasy palace, built during the days of the Empire of Brazil, is Rio’s former customs house. It’s now a small naval museum that you can visit. Tours depart from the nearby Navy Cultural Centre.
Best for ages: 18+ | £15
