Located on the coast of the southeastern corner of Rio de Janeiro, Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar) resides within forests, water and hills at the edge of Guanabara Bay. Rock climbers conquer the mountain using appropriate gear, but most visitors take the glass-sided cable car to the top. Originally built in 1912, the cable car transports 65 visitors per trip and offers panoramic views the entire way.
Sugarloaf Mountain offers remarkable views of nearby beaches, local rain forests, adjacent hills and the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. The lush rain forests provide a sharp contrast against the surrounding granite hills. Historians attribute the mountain’s name to the 16th-century practice of molding sugar into a cone-like shape. These “sugar loaves” were common during the peak of Brazil’s sugarcane trade.
The mountain draws crowds year-round, but the best times to visit are each day early in the morning and 90 minutes before sunset. Make sure you have clear skies and bring your camera to capture Rio’s scenic beauty from 1,300 feet (396 meters) above sea level. Right beneath you is Copacabana Beach, which connects to Ipanema Beach at its southern end. To the west, enjoy views of Rio’s iconic member of the “New Seven Wonders of the World,” the Christ the Redeemer statue.
Cable cars depart every 20 minutes from morning until evening. Before reaching the top, you will board two cable cars. One stops at Morro da Urca and the other stops at the peak, Pão de Açúcar. Be sure to check with the ticketing office if you visit during major holidays as cable-car trips typically close around noon on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and close completely on Christmas and New Year’s Day. If visiting between December and March, be prepared for the cable car to close early on weekend evenings to accommodate seasonal performances.
Access to Sugarloaf Mountain is from Praia Vermelha at the southern entry to Guanabara Bay. You can walk to Guanabara Bay from nearby Copacabana Beach, or use boat or bus if you are coming from farther afield.
Sugar Loaf Mountain
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Sugarloaf Mountain Climbing Trail
Reviews of Sugar Loaf Mountain
5/5 - Excellent
Went at sunset, with a company called C2RIO, trip was booked through expedia prior to leaving. The guide spoke good English and really knew his history. I am not best at heights but still managed to enjoy myself totally. This is a definite recommendation from me.
5/5 - Excellent
A golden ticket is only worth it if it's crowded, since the main benefit is being able to skip queues. When I went there weren't any real queues anyway so felt I'd overpaid. The air-conditioned waiting room with chilled beverages is advertised but there is only one (at the start) and you only get access to it on the way up (no passing through again when you leave). Since you're there to go up the cable car, you don't want to spend long in the waiting room anyway.
5/5 - Excellent
If you're only going to one spot, go here. Fabulous!
5/5 - Excellent
A unique place, great views, definitively worth a visit. We walked all the way from the hotel to the Sugar Loaf and it was fine.
5/5 - Excellent
Best to visit independently if you have time- a little more expensive than visiting as part of a day tour including other sights but worth it if you want to spend more time here - I.E. more than 1 hr which is well worth it. Take bus or taxi from Copacabana. Also allows time to visit nearby Vermelha beach and Sul shopping centre. Great day trip !
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Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Praia do Leme during your travels in Rio de Janeiro? While you're here, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.
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