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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 09 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Alex Robinson

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.

Price from: £50
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 10+
When: All year around
Duration: 30 mins

Getting there & doing it

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.

When to do it

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.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour - Christ the Redeemer

Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour - Christ the Redeemer

Rio de Janeiro

A tour full of charms. Rio de Janeiro is an obligatory itinerary for visitors looking for breathtaking landscapes and that typical carioca f...

$178 | Rating 4.96 / 5 [271 ratings]

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Private Helicopter Tour over Rio de Janeiro - 03 people - 30 min

Private Helicopter Tour over Rio de Janeiro - 03 people - 30 min

Rio de Janeiro

This tour is perfect for travelers who wish to see our beautiful landscape, mountains, beaches and architecture from a privileged angle. We ...

$590 | Rating 4.66 / 5 [9 ratings]

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Helicopter tour in Rio de Janeiro - 30 Minutes

Helicopter tour in Rio de Janeiro - 30 Minutes

Rio de Janeiro

The Helicopter Tour in Rio de Janeiro is one of the most popular tours in the wonderful city. Visiting Rio de Janeiro and not taking the he...

R1,200 | Rating 4.97 / 5 [40 ratings]

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Helicopter Tour - Samba - (Private Flight - 4 people)

Helicopter Tour - Samba - (Private Flight - 4 people)

Rio de Janeiro

"Wonderful city, full of thousand charms .... Rio de Janeiro is a compulsory itinerary for visitors looking for breathtaking landscape...

$1,800 | Rating 4.97 / 5 [96 ratings]

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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Yoo2

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

Official star rating:

Hotel Copacabana Palace

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.

Official star rating:

Windsor Excelsior

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.

Official star rating:

Mama Ruisa

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.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Rio de Janeiro

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…

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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Walk the Pista Claudio Coutinho

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)

Sandy beach with tourists and city in backgound
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Copacabana Beach

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

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Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

Brightly painted cobbled stairs in street
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Selaron Steps

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

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Pyramidal high-rise tower
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Metropolitan Cathedral

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

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Large hall with yellow ceiling lights
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Confeitaria Colombo

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

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Fiscal Island
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Fiscal Island

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

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