Rio de Janeiro Half-Day Tour: Christ Redeemer & Sugarloaf Sunset

Three landmarks, one afternoon, no planning required

This half-day guided tour of Rio de Janeiro visits Christ the Redeemer, the Selarón Steps, and Sugarloaf Mountain, ending with a cable car ride and sunset views. The tour includes roundtrip transportation from major South Zone and West Zone hotels, entrance fees to both mountains, and a professional guide. You choose between a group tour or private option, with departures in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or Mandarin.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Copacabana Beachpass by
2. Ipanema Beachpass by
3. Christ the Redeemer1h 30m · entry included
4. Selarón Steps15m · entry included
5. Morro da Urca1h · entry included
6. Sugarloaf Mountain50m · entry included

Afternoon tour of Rio's highlights

• Pass by Copacabana Beach
• Pass by Ipanema Beach
• Stop at Visitors Center
• Go up Corcovado Mountain by van
• Visit Christ the Redeemer statue
• Stop for photos at Selarón Steps
• Take cable car to Urca Hill
• Take cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain
• Admire sunset from Sugarloaf Mountain

The experience

The tour picks you up from your hotel in Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Leme, or Barra da Tijuca and heads toward Corcovado Mountain. Along the way, you pass Copacabana Beach and get a panoramic view of Ipanema, the legendary beach that inspired "Garota de Ipanema." The van climbs through Tijuca Forest, stopping at the Visitors Center before continuing up the mountain. At the top, you stand in front of Christ the Redeemer, the 98-foot statue overlooking the city, with time to photograph it and take in the view across Rio's neighborhoods, beaches and mountains.

From there, the tour stops at the Selarón Steps for photos. These narrow stairs connecting two neighborhoods are covered in hand-painted tiles in blues, yellows, greens and reds. A project that took decades and draws crowds most afternoons. The stop is brief but enough to see why it's become one of Rio's most photographed spots. Then you head to Sugarloaf Mountain, where a two-part cable car ride takes you first to Morro da Urca, a smaller peak with its own views, and then to the summit. The timing is built around sunset, so you're there as the light changes and the city lights begin to come on. The cable car itself is part of the experience: glass-sided cabins that let you see the landscape drop away as you rise.

The whole tour runs about six to seven hours from pickup to drop-off. Your guide provides live commentary in your chosen language throughout, pointing out neighborhoods, landmarks and details you'd miss on your own. The van is air-conditioned, and all entrance fees are included. Children 4 and younger ride free if they don't need a seat. Infants sit on an adult's lap. The tour runs rain or shine, so bring a light jacket in case the weather turns.

What’s included

• Professional guide with live commentary in English, Spanish, Portuguese or Mandarin.
• roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Leme or Barra da Tijuca.
• entrance fees to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain.
• two-part cable car ride to Morro da Urca and the summit.
• all taxes and handling charges.

Options for this experience

4 options

Meet at Copacabana Palace Hotel, no pickupGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 11:30 and 12:30Meet at the Copacabana Palace Hotel on Avenida Atlântica; there is no hotel pickup, and the starting point is Copacabana.

Sunset experience with pickupGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 11:30 and 12:30

Sunset experience with Mandarin-speaking guide and pickupGuide in Portuguese · 11:30Pickup is included for the sunset tour, given in Mandarin.

Private tour with pickupGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 11:30 and 12:30A private tour with pickup included, lasting six hours.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:30 and 12:30

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by C2Rio Tours & Travel

Is this one for you?Book the shared tour if you want a fixed afternoon schedule with pickups from your hotel. Choose the private option if you'd rather set your own pace and timing at each landmark.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How do I arrange pickup from my hotel?

Call to confirm your reservation and tell the operator which hotel you're staying at. Pickup is available from major hotels in Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Leme, and Barra da Tijuca, or from a nearby location if your hotel isn't on the standard route. The roundtrip transportation is included in the tour price.

What's the difference between the group tour and the private tour option?

The group tour departs on a set schedule with other travelers. The private tour is just your group in a dedicated van with your own guide. Both visit the same three landmarks and include the same entrance fees and transportation. Choose private if you want flexibility with timing or prefer not to travel with strangers.

Will I have time to take photos at each stop?

Yes. At Christ the Redeemer, you have time to photograph the statue and the city views. The Selarón Steps stop is specifically for photos. At Sugarloaf Mountain, you have time at both Morro da Urca and the summit to capture the views and the sunset.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but there are cafés and shops at Sugarloaf Mountain where you can buy refreshments during the sunset portion of the tour. Bring water if you prefer, especially if you're sensitive to the afternoon heat.

What happens if it rains?

The tour operates rain or shine. Bring a light rain jacket or umbrella. Views may be limited on very cloudy days, but the tour still visits all three landmarks and includes the cable car rides to Sugarloaf Mountain.