Rio de Janeiro: Corcovado & Sugarloaf tour with lunch

Summary

Corcovado, cable cars & barbecue: a day in Rio with locals

Start your day in Rio de Janeiro with a local guide leading you up Corcovado Mountain to Christ the Redeemer, ride cable cars to Sugarloaf Mountain, enjoy a lively barbecue lunch in Copacabana, and explore colorful city landmarks like Selarón Steps. You’ll feel Rio’s energy in every stop — moments you’ll carry home long after.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely made it into the van when our guide, Ana, handed me a tiny cup of strong coffee and asked if I’d ever seen Rio from above. I hadn’t — not really — so she grinned and said, “Wait until you see it from Christ’s feet.” The drive up Corcovado wound through Tijuca Forest, windows open to the smell of wet leaves and something sweet I couldn’t name. At the top, everyone went quiet for a second. The city just spills out below you — favelas, beaches, all tangled together. I tried to take a photo but honestly, it didn’t catch half of what I felt standing there with the wind tugging at my shirt.

Ana kept us moving (she joked that Cariocas never stand still), so we headed for Sugarloaf Mountain next. The cable car is older than it looks but somehow that made it better — you can see fingerprints on the glass from kids pressing their noses up for a better view. Up on Urca first, then another lift to Sugarloaf itself. There was this moment where the sun hit Guanabara Bay just right and everything looked gold for about ten seconds. Some guy next to me muttered “caramba” under his breath and I knew exactly what he meant.

Lunch was at this churrascaria in Copacabana — not fancy but busy with locals on their break. Plates clattered, waiters zipped by with skewers of beef and chicken (I lost count), and someone at our table tried feijoada for the first time. The salad bar had hearts of palm and these little peppers that nearly took my head off (Ana laughed at my face). After that we wandered over to the Selarón Steps; people were taking selfies but also just sitting on the tiles like they belonged there. We stopped outside Maracanã Stadium and the Sambadrome too — Ana told stories about Carnival rehearsals and football matches that sounded bigger than life.

I keep thinking about that first view from Corcovado — how small everything looked but also how alive. It’s funny what sticks with you after a day like this.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Corcovado and Christ Statue Visit

• Visit Corcovado Mountain and Christ the Redeemer

Day 2 — Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car Ride

• Cable car ride to Sugarloaf Mountain top
• Visit Morro da Urca
• Pass by Red Beach (Praia Vermelha)

Day 3 — City Landmarks and Barbecue Lunch

• Visit Selarón Steps in Santa Teresa
• Visit Rio de Janeiro Cathedral
• Photo stop at Maracanã Stadium
• Photo stop at Sambadrome
• Enjoy Brazilian barbecue lunch at Copacabana

Top questions

How long does the full-day Corcovado & Sugarloaf tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one full day including all stops and lunch.

Is hotel pickup included in this Rio de Janeiro tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included as part of your booking.

Does the tour include entrance fees to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf?

Yes, entry fees for both Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain are included.

Is lunch provided during this day trip?

Yes, a traditional Brazilian barbecue lunch is included (drinks and desserts extra).

Are drinks or desserts included with lunch?

No, drinks and desserts are not included in the lunch package.

Can infants join this tour? Is it suitable for families?

Yes, infants can join; prams or strollers are allowed and children must sit on an adult’s lap if needed.

Is this tour accessible for travelers with reduced mobility or wheelchairs?

If notified in advance, arrangements may be possible but are subject to availability.

What should I wear for this Rio city tour?

Comfortable clothing and walking shoes are recommended due to varied terrain.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup by air-conditioned vehicle, entrance tickets to both Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Mountain and Sugarloaf Mountain via cable car rides, plus a traditional all-you-can-eat Brazilian barbecue lunch before returning you back to your hotel in Rio de Janeiro.