Scale this mountain on foot or by cable car to see impressive views of Rio’s beaches, rain forests and its most famous statue.

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.

Plan a trip to see Sugar Loaf Mountain

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Hotel Villa Rica

Lapa

￥529,934

per person

Sep 11 - Sep 17

found 20 hours ago

Roundtrip flight included

Kitakyushu (KKJ) to Rio de Janeiro (GIG)

8.4/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)

I booked Hotel Villa Rica because the rate was reasonable for my stay in Rio. Based on the listing, I wasn’t expecting a luxury hotel, but I was disappointed by the overall condition of the property. The first room I was assigned was spacious, but the bathroom—particularly the shower—did not appear to be thoroughly cleaned, and the furniture was extremely dated and heavily worn. The bed consisted of what felt like a thin mattress topper on a platform and was very uncomfortable. After speaking with the front desk, the staff kindly allowed me to inspect and choose another available room, which I appreciated. Unfortunately, the second room had many of the same issues. Although the bed was an actual mattress, it was exceptionally firm and uncomfortable. The furnishings were again heavily worn, the window would not remain closed, and there was visible mold in the shower. After four nights, I decided to check out early because I simply wasn’t able to get adequate rest due to the bed. The breakfast was very good, and the front desk staff were friendly and accommodating throughout my stay. I also requested a prorated refund for the unused nights. The hotel initially responded promptly through WhatsApp and indicated a refund might be possible, but after Expedia submitted the formal request, communication stopped and the issue remains unresolved. Based on my experience, I cannot recommend this property and would choose to stay elsewhere on a future visit to Rio.

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2026

Plaza Spania

Botafogo

￥551,778

per person

Sep 11 - Sep 17

found 20 hours ago

Roundtrip flight included

Kitakyushu (KKJ) to Rio de Janeiro (GIG)

8.4/10 Very Good! (313 reviews)

This is a simple but cozy property. The staff was pleasant and the place was very clean.

Reviewed on Nov 9, 2025

Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Rio de Janeiro

Copacabana

￥752,264

per person

Sep 11 - Sep 17

found 20 hours ago

Roundtrip flight included

Kitakyushu (KKJ) to Rio de Janeiro (GIG)

9.8/10 Exceptional! (1,002 reviews)

Fantastic stay, really enjoyed it. My only recommendation for the property would be to add a wash station for the beach in front of the hotel, the lobby is very nice, but there was no way to wash your feet and legs off from the beach! Having a spray bottle is not really good enough, you need a garden hose or plumbed in wash station.

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2026