Visiting Christ the Redeemer: The Ultimate Guide

Why is it so confusing to visit a Wonder of the World?

If you’ve thought this while you scroll through 12 tabs trying to figure out how to visit Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, you’re not alone. Me, too.

That is why I visited a few too many times while living in Rio for 3 months perfecting my Portuguese skills. I tried every method available to get up there just for the sake of curiosity.

Let me help you decide, with as little confusion as possible, how you want to visit him, too.

You have four options to get to Christ the Redeemer, each with its pros and cons. Let’s break down each option so you can choose the best route for your time, energy, and travel style. No stress, no wasted money!

Why Is It a Wonder of the World?

As of July 2024, Cristo Redentor remains the biggest piece of art-deco-style sculpture in the world.

I always thought he looked just normal from afar, but the statue has a beautiful texture you can only see up close. It is a piece of art, not just a statue.

There are also a lot of questions about how he got to the top of Mount Corcovado. I’ll answer that burning question before diving into how to visit.

The History Behind Cristo Redentor

The project to construct a statue of Jesus Christ on Mount Corcovado was approved in 1920. In 1922, the foundation was laid to commemorate 100 years of Independence from Portugal.

Brazilian engineer Heitor Da Silva Costa and Brazilian artist Carlos Oswald designed the statue in collaboration with Paul Landowski, a French sculptor.

How Did He Get That High Up the Mountain?

You would think that when Landowski was commissioned to build Christ the Redeemer, he’d fly to Brazil for the job, but no. He remained in France the entire time.

He constructed a shorter replica at 4 meters tall and put belts around it to create molds, going up vertically in sheets, like the floors of a building. The head and hands were constructed to the actual size, in over 50 pieces!

Pieces of the head and hands, along with sheets of the body, were shipped to Brazil from France via the ocean. The pieces went up Mount Corcovado the same way tourists do today: via train!

Atop Mount Corcovado, a 10-story building, reinforced with 4 pillars, stands as the core of the statue and as support for the workers as they built the pieces of Jesus and put him together from the inside.

The more you know…

The 4 Ways to Get Up to Christ the Redeemer

Visiting Cristo Redentor is not nearly as complicated as it seems to be when you look for information on the internet.

Below, I listed 4 main ways you can get up Mount Corcovado: Train, hiking trail, van, and with a guided tour. Hopefully, the information I provide will help you decide which way is best for you.

1. By Train (Bondinho)

The most popular and most gorgeous way to get up Mount Corcovado is by train (lovingly called “Bondinho” by the locals). The ticket for the train includes the ride up, the entrance to Christ the Redeemer, and the ride back down.

The prices are listed below.

• Adults: R$122.50 ($23)
• Children (ages 5-11): R$67 ($12)
• Elderly Residents in Brazil: R$33.50 ($6)
• Students: R$97.50 ($18)
• Children age 4 and below: FREE

You can buy your tickets on the day at the ticketing window, or you can buy them in advance through the official website.

This is an amazing option if you have enough time in Rio to explore at a relaxed pace and you prefer an air-conditioned ride up to hiking in the humid heat.

Tip: Sit on the right side of the train on the way up, left on the way down, for the city view.

2. By the Official Van

Paneiras-Corcovado Official Vans are another easy way to get up to Christ the Redeemer. If anything, it requires even less effort from you, as these vans will pick you up from the city.

The only thing it doesn’t provide, like the Bondinho, is the amazing city views on the way up and down.

The price ranges from R$26 to over R$100, depending on your chosen pick-up point. Just like the Bondinho tickets, these include the entrance to the statue as well.

Pick-up Points (Click for pinned locations)

• Praça do Largo do Machado (Square Largo do Machado)
• Praça do Lido, Copacabana
• Paneiras Visitors Center

Learn how to confidently get to these pick-up points with my guide to Rio public transportation.

Book your tickets on the Paineiras-Corcovado Van Official Website. Click the orange “Buy your ticket” and you’ll come to another window, which will open in Portuguese.

Don’t panic! Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page, and you’ll see the language toggle.

3. With a Guided Tour

If you’re REALLY short on time, your best option is to take a guided tour that combines a visit to Christ the Redeemer with other big sights in Rio de Janeiro.

For someone who’s done this, as well as some other ways, I’d suggest leaving the guided tour as your last resort. Only do it if you have very limited time in Rio and need to see everything in 2-3 days.

I have two very different, top-rated tour options. I picked very different ones intentionally, so you’ll know which one speaks to you more without having to overthink.

Option 1: Sunrise Lookout & Christ the Redeemer Tour

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Great guide – clearly knew all the shortcuts and priorities to be at the important places and best photo spots ahead of the crowds.”

• Price: From $95 per person
• Length: 3 hours
• Language(s): English, Portuguese, Spanish
• Cancellation Policy: Cancel for free up to 24 hours before the start time

For the most digestible tour size, this 3-hour tour lets you see the stunning Rio sunrise from Mirante Dona Marta, then spend over an hour at Christ the Redeemer with a guide who’ll take amazing photos for you.

This tour concludes with breakfast at a local cafe.

Option 2: Private Helicopter Tour of Rio de Janeiro

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity. We went at the latest time slot at 5pm, just in time for sunset. It was magical.”

• Price: From $276 per person
• Length: 30 minutes
• Language(s): English, Portuguese, Spanish
• Cancellation Policy: Cancel for free up to 24 hours before the start time

For a completely different experience, you could fly over Christ the Redeemer instead of seeing him up close.

I personally haven’t done this, but my friend has. And oh dear, the photos and videos he took were epic. Book your flight here if you love aerial views!

4. By Hiking the Corcovado Trail

This has become my favorite way to get up Mount Corcovado. Yes, you will be exhausted and sticky, but the sense of achievement you get from up top is unparalleled.

And somehow, the Jesus statue and the city view just seem so much more impressive.

If you’re interested in hiking up, keep reading to make sure you’re ready for it and know what to expect. Buying the tickets works a little differently at the end of the trail than at the visitor center.

If you’re not hiking up, jump right over to tickets and entry tips.

Corcovado Hiking Trail Guide

The trailhead is inside Parque Lage on the northeast corner. Follow the trail above Grutas towards the east of the park, and you’ll find a ranger post and clear signs marking the start of the trail.

Registering Your Information at the Trailhead

At the trailhead, the rangers will ask you to register your information before going in, which I love. Below is the information you need to provide. Only one person registers for each party.

• Your name
• Phone number
• An emergency contact
• Your passport number

Trail Difficulty and Timing

The information board say the trail takes about 2.5 hours, but it could take more or less depending on your speed and whether or not you’ll run into wild animals.

My friend and I took around 1 hour and 45 minutes, rushing, but also having to wait for a monkey to clear the trail twice. I believe that took us 15 extra minutes.

I recommend starting the trail at 3:00 PM at the latest, and only if you’re a physically fit, frequent hiker who can speed up if needed.

The trail is well-shaded and will get dark by around 4:30 PM, after which you can be in real danger if you don’t know the terrain well.

Safety Tips and Precautions

Between 2017 and 2019, a lot of tourists were robbed or attacked on this trail. Because of that, my local friends all told me to avoid going alone.

Although we felt completely safe on the trail (we also did the hike on a Friday, so it was nearly deserted), below are the precautions I took and would suggest you do, too.

• Bring just enough cash to get yourself tickets and refreshments (Approx. R$100)
• If you’d like to be safe in case of expenses, bring ONE credit card that you care about the least. Leave the rest at home.
• Bring only ONE proof of identification that will hurt you the least if it gets stolen.
• Spread your belongings. Cash in shoes, card in back pocket, ID in backpack, etc.
• If you’d like more company on the trail, go on the weekends. Just keep in mind that this will mean more crowd up top as well.

Monkey Etiquette: What to Do When You See One

This sounds like common sense, but believe it or not, we ran into a tourist who made this section of the post necessary. She was following after a wild monkey, filming him with her phone. Yikes…

As a Thai person growing up around monkey parks and monkey beaches, I need to inform you what NOT to do when you see one.

• Do NOT record videos of the monkey. Do so from afar as long as you’re not approaching it. But don’t hold up your phone as you follow it down the trail. Don’t force it to defend itself.
• If the monkey is on the trail, stop walking. There’s no way you can pass it safely. Wait for it to leave the trail before continuing and avoid eye contact.
• Whatever happens, do not run. If you have to retreat, move slowly.
• Do NOT put your hands in your pockets or bags. To monkeys, this means one of two things: “She’s got food,” or “She’s got a weapon.” Keep your hands where the monkey can see.

Important Trail Updates

A lot of older blog posts will show you a section where you’ll have to rock climb with iron handles hammered in. That section no longer exists as of July 2024. Today, it’s walking all the way.

Quick Trail Preview

The trail starts off pretty relaxed, with sets of switchbacks that go on for about 20-30 minutes.

Once you’ve crossed your 3rd waterfall, the elevation begins to get crazier, and it goes downhill from there for the next 40 minutes or so.

After enduring just enough of the steep climb that you might be regretting your life choices, you’ll come to an open space. Here, take a seat on one of the two benches and let the sun heal your soul for a bit.

Thankfully, the trail flattens out for the next 15 minutes or so from here. Treat it like the rest that you deserve.

The Last Stretch

When the elevation gets steeper again, know that you’re VERY CLOSE. Here, a few things will happen.

• You’ll reach a fork with a sign for the Paneiras Visitors Center pointing to the left and a sign for Corcovado pointing to the right. Follow the Corcovado sign to the right.
• When you come to the Bondinho track (yup!), you’ll have to cross it. Yes, you can, and you should!
• When you finally reach the road, turn right and follow it up the hill. Be careful of the official vans going up and down.

When you finally see the stone base of the park, go up the stairs where you see a pedestrian gate up top and a few park officers. This is where you’ll buy your ticket and enter.

Do NOT follow the vans up the road once you’ve reached these stairs.

Those vans bring passengers up from the visitor center, which means they already have their tickets. You won’t be able to buy yours where they’re going.

Ticket Info and Entry Tips

There are four buying options for your admission ticket. I wouldn’t blame you if you’re confused. This had me confused for ages, too.

• Online, along with the train ticket
• Online, along with the van ticket
• At the train station ticket window
• At the end of the hiking trail

Purchasing at the end of the trail is a bit different. So if that’s your plan, read carefully.

• Park and Bondinho tickets are sold separately. If you plan to ride the train down, you’ll have to ask the staff for both the park and Bondinho tickets.
• Park tickets are R$55.50, and Bondinho tickets are R$33.50. CASH ONLY.

Things to Do at the Top

Of course, you’ll have to take photos with Jesus, but there are other cool things you can do as well!

Admire the City View

This is one of the best spots to look at Rio de Janeiro from above. Use it to your advantage!

Watch the Sunset

The view gets even more breathtaking after dark. There is something different about the Rio sunsets. The darker it gets, the stronger the colors. It’s absolutely unreal.

If you’re staying for sunset, don’t forget to line up for the Bondinho before 6 pm!

Grab a Snack (But Don’t Feed the Wildlife!)

This is a good idea, especially if you’re hiking up.

Plus, if you’re lucky, bands of Quatis will approach you to look for food. They’ll look for scraps on the floor, and you’ll want to feed them, but you have to hold it because feeding wildlife is illegal!

Best Time to Visit

You’ll have to believe me, but visiting first thing in the morning does NOT mean an empty platform for this one. It is PACKED with people all the time, especially around 10-11 in the morning when all the tours land.

Going close to sunset is the best, with noticeably fewer people.

Rio Weather by Season

The weather in Rio de Janeiro is humid and warm year-round, with winter days between 65-80°F (18-26°C) and summer days between 76-100°F (24-37°C).

No matter if you’re visiting in the winter (June-August) or for hot summer days and the Carnaval (December-March), I suggest packing layers that you can put on or take off. The weather can get surprisingly chilly with the ocean breeze and even colder in the forests.

Follow My Itinerary for Rio de Janeiro!

Got several days in Rio de Janeiro? Why not follow my 4-day itinerary and get a mix of must-visit places and some more local experiences I found during my 3 months there?

Included on the itinerary are Christ the Redeemer, a visit to Ilha da Gigóia, a meal at Garota de Ipanema (where the song was written), and more!

Bookmark my Brazil Immersive Travel page for more guides in Rio, São Paulo, and more!

Staying Safe in Rio de Janeiro

I hate how “famously dangerous” Brazil is when I never felt that terrible throughout three months of my stay there. Was the danger real? Yes. But you just have to know how things work.

Learn what to do to navigate the risks and stay safe before you go, and for extra bonus with the locals, read up on some of their cultural points.

Here are some basics to get you started on safety.

• Have a copy of your important documents (passport and any travel documents) saved on your phone and other devices, just in case they get stolen.
• Dress down. This city is not for showing off your riches on the street.
• Avoid taking long walks alone. Even in the safest countries in the world, it takes crossing ONE street to feel the difference between a safe neighborhood and a less safe one in the city.
• If you get robbed, do NOT fight the assailant, as you don’t know whether or not they have a weapon. Give them what they want and immediately report the incident to the police.

Other Helpful Travel Resources for Brazil

• Make sure you protect your trip with a travel insurance.
• Get this eSIM for local data without giving up your number.
• Must-have Apps: Google Maps, Uber, WhatsApp

As a bonus, grab a copy below of the template I created and personally use to plan my own trips. It’s completely free for you!

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