Rio: Christ the Redeemer, Selarón Steps & Santa Teresa Tour

Summary

Christ statue views, Santa Teresa streets and Selarón Steps color in one Rio morning

You’ll ride through Rio’s Tijuca Forest to reach Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain, then wind past Santa Teresa’s hillside streets before exploring Lapa’s lively corners. End at the vibrant Selarón Steps where every tile tells a story—and maybe find your own moment among them.

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed the van—turns out “Copacabana pickup” means you need to actually stand near the curb, not just inside the café with your coffee. But our guide, Lucas, waved me over with a grin like he’d seen this before. We squeezed into the van with a mix of sleepy couples and one family whose kid kept trying to say “Corcovado” louder than the rest of us. The city was waking up as we wound through Tijuca Forest; I caught whiffs of damp earth and eucalyptus through the cracked window. Lucas pointed out monkeys in the trees but honestly, I only saw leaves moving.

The drive up Corcovado Mountain felt longer than I expected—maybe because I was craning my neck for that first glimpse of Christ the Redeemer. When we finally stepped out, there was this hush even though it was crowded. The clouds kept drifting across his face, so sometimes you’d get this sudden flash of sunlight off his outstretched arms and then he’d disappear again. Someone next to me whispered a prayer in Portuguese; I just stood there, feeling tiny but sort of lucky too. You can see all of Rio from up there—the city looks like someone spilled it between mountains and sea.

On the way back down, Lucas told us stories about Santa Teresa—he grew up nearby and said he still misses the old yellow trams when they’re not running. The streets are tight and twisty, with faded murals and people waving from their windows (one guy yelled something friendly at us; Lucas laughed but didn’t translate). Lapa was buzzing already even though it was barely noon—you could smell feijoada cooking somewhere behind those tiled walls.

The Selarón Steps were brighter than any photo I’d seen—tiles from all over the world jammed together by an artist who apparently never stopped adding more. I tried to spot one from my country but got distracted by a dog sleeping right in the middle of everything. Our group took turns posing on the steps while Lucas told us how Jorge Selarón would sometimes hand-paint tiles for visitors if he liked their stories. That stuck with me—I guess everyone leaves a little piece here whether they mean to or not.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Christ the Redeemer and Rio highlights

• Pick up at main hotels
• Drive through Tijuca Forest
• Visit Christ the Redeemer statue
• Drive past Santa Teresa neighborhood
• Pass through Lapa area
• Visit Selarón Steps
• Return to hotels

Top questions

How long does this Christ the Redeemer & Selarón Steps tour take?

This is a half-day tour; exact timing depends on traffic but expect around 4 hours including pickup and drop-off.

Is hotel pickup included for this Rio tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included from main hotels in Copacabana (South Zone).

Are entrance tickets to Christ the Redeemer included?

Yes, entry fees for Christ the Redeemer are covered in your booking.

Is there live commentary during the tour?

Yes, your professional guide provides live commentary in English, Spanish, or Portuguese throughout.

Will we visit both Santa Teresa and Lapa?

You’ll drive past Santa Teresa and stop in Lapa before reaching Selarón Steps.

Can infants join this tour?

Infants are welcome but must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

No lunch is provided; however you’ll have time for snacks or drinks along parts of the route.

Are public transport options available nearby after drop-off?

Yes, public transportation is accessible near most drop-off points in Copacabana.

What’s included

Your morning includes hotel pickup from Copacabana or nearby areas, all entry fees—including tickets to Christ the Redeemer—and guided commentary as you travel by air-conditioned van through Tijuca Forest, past Santa Teresa and Lapa neighborhoods, ending at Selarón Steps before returning to your starting point.