Bucket list experience:
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil
Credit Shutterstock.com/DnDavis
Perched over Rio, on a high peak swathed with rainforest and illuminated in brilliant-white at night, this art deco beauty is a global icon every bit as good in real life as it looks in the pictures.
And the views of the city from the statue’s feet are as breathtaking as the Christ itself – the heart-shaped lagoon, Ipanema Beach and the distant bulk of the Sugar Loaf sitting over the shimmering bay.
There are many ways to see it – private car, taxi or organized tour – but the best way is probably via the funicular train, on a ride up through rainforest filled with floating butterflies, in the early morning when the light is golden. If budget allows, take a helicopter from Corcovado or Sugarloaf and go face-to-face with this spectacular statue, rather than staring up from its feet.
Combine a trip to Corcovado with a visit to the wildlife- and waterfall-filled Tijuca National Park. There are restaurants in the forest, including Os Esquilos in a forest glade, which has good lunches). Or wander around artsy Santa Teresa, Rio’s Montmartre, a 15-minute cab ride away. Aprazivel in Santa Teresa serves up comfort food and special views.
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Destination Guide >You can reach the Christ statue by road (car, cab or tour) or funicular rail. The latter is the best way – relaxed, scenic and traffic free. The ‘Trem do Corcovado’ funicular railway station in Cosme Velho neighbourhood, at the base of the mountain, is about 20 minutes cab from Ipanema and Copacabana or 30 minutes from Santa Teresa.
The train carries you to the summit (20 minutes), through the forest of Tijuca National Park. It’s a short stroll from the arrival station to the escalator that brings you to the statue itself. Allow at least 3 hours for a leisurely visit (including the train). There are cafes at the statue selling drinks and snacks, and a kiosk in the Trem do Corcovado station sells bottled drinks.
The last train back leaves at around 4pm, but the statue itself closes at 7pm. If you want to stay for sunset (which is behind the mountain not over the bay), take the train up and a taxi down. You can use a radio cab (do this through a company recommended by your hotel) though there are usually plenty of cabs available near the park gates for the return trip.
The funicular railway trains to the top and back operate all year round. Trains run every 20-30 minutes.
It’s quietest early in the morning (get here at 7.30am to catch the first train at 8.00am) and late afternoon. Around midday it can get hot and hectic and if you come by road, you will get stuck in traffic jams.
Corcovado is unpleasantly busy in high season – Christmas and New Year, Carnival and during the Brazilian school holidays in June.
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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[3.1 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[3.6 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[3.7 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[4 miles]
This sumptuous beachside boutique, with a rooftop pool and bar, is where visiting celebs come to admire the Copacabana views and each other.
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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[2.3 miles]
Rio’s lush urban rainforest climbs over the mountains that surround the Christ statue and Atlantic beaches, affording some of the world’s most beautiful urban views. Excellent for hiking, biking and wildlife-spotting.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[3.7 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
Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[3.8 miles]
Breathy and breathtaking rainforest hike to the highest peak in Rio de Janeiro’s urban mountain range, stopping at Tijuca National Park’s waterfalls on the way.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 4 hours
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[4.6 miles]
One of the world’s best helicopter flights, over Rio’s spectacular scenery and including a face-to-face encounter with Christ the Redeemer.
Best for ages: 10+ | £50 | 30 mins
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[2.3 miles]
Once the Emperor’s private retreat, these gardens brim with rare plants and are a haven for birds and butterflies
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[3.9 miles]
Rio’s prettiest, chicest ocean beach, is watched over by the impressive Dois Irmaos mountain that sits behind. The water is cleaner, and the crowd more exclusive the further south you go, where Ipanema Beach merges into the more upscale Leblon Beach.
Best for ages: Any | Free
Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Region, Brazil[3.9 miles]
Pelé da Praia has been teaching locals and tourists Brazilian football tricks on Ipanema beach for more than a decade. One-to-one tuition and group classes available. Contact him at peledapraia1@hotmail.com.
Best for ages: 8+ | £15 | 1-2 hours
Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil[4.8 miles]
Experience the passion of a match in the city that considers itself the world capital of football.
Best for ages: Any | £15 | 4 hours
