It’s easy to understand the attraction luring nearly 2 million people to the top of Corcovado mountain each year. Here, people visit Christ the Redeemer monument, an icon of Rio de Janeiro, which overlooks the city from an urban rainforest.
For many, the visit is a spiritual attraction. For us, it was the panoramic landscape with a glittering bay and a mountainous backdrop that was the draw.
While the desire to visit Christ the Redeemer is high on many visitors’ lists, there are a few things you should know first.
Things to consider before you visit Christ the Redeemer
While glad we visited the famous Rio de Janeiro monument, there are four things worth considering in advance: crowds, queues, heat, and safety.
- Crowds: There is no option that gets you away from the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Arriving in Rio de Janeiro for New Year’s Eve, we encountered massive crowds. You need both patience and a bit of aggression to enjoy an unobstructed view.
- Queues: Unless you are hiking very early in the morning, or you purchase a skip-the-line tram pass, you will be waiting in long queues. The wait to board the train is often an hour, although, on some days, it can top two hours.
- Heat: Rio is hot, yet not unbearable. The average high temperature in summer is only 29°C (84°F), and it rarely exceeds 35°C (95°F), although the humidity adds to the discomfort.
- Safety: Petty theft is rife here. Two of the 40 people in our group encountered pickpockets before we reached the top. The action is swift, so be extra vigilant. We discuss several Rio specific safety tips here or check out our overall South America safety tips here.
If you really hate crowds, this will be the hardest part of your visit.
So, why would anyone want to visit Christ the Redeemer?
This question haunted Jeff and I as we planned our two days in Rio de Janeiro. We didn’t feel the religious pull or the need to follow the crowd just to say we were there. Nevertheless, there’s often a good reason that a destination is so popular.
We knew we had made the right choice when we reached the top of Corcovado Mountain. Rio de Janeiro is a far more spectacular city than we had realized. The 360-degree views from the top are worth it alone. And then there is the 30-meter art deco statue perched on an 8-meter tall base.
How to get to Christ the Redeemer
Corcovado Mountain is located in the Tijuca National Park, a rainforest within the city boundaries. There are five basic ways in which visitors get to the top.
Hiking
While we often favour hiking as an option, this particular hike didn’t appeal to us for three reasons. First, it’s a difficult 2 to 3 hour hike requiring a higher level of fitness than what I include in my definition of fun. While it starts out easy, it gets so steep that they have installed chains to pull yourself up to the top.
The second is safety. While pickpocketing is prevalent on the trams and at the top, there have been more aggressive robberies on the hiking trails. Third, and this one is personal, after recovering from dengue fever obtained in a different Brazilian rainforest, the idea of hiking in the Tijuca rainforest had no appeal.
The trail starts at Parque Lage next to the Botanical Garden. Tips for those who want to hike:
- Go early. It is cooler, and there are fewer people on their way down.
- Use a good insect repellent.
- Bring plenty of water.
- Don’t hike alone. There is safety in numbers.
- Don’t wear jewellery and leave valuables at home.
- You can purchase tickets to see the monument at the top.
Train
The 20-minute cog train journey on the Trem do Corcovado through the Tijuca Rainforest is the traditional way to get to the top. Tickets include round-trip transit and entrance to see the monument.
While it sounds lovely, there are a few things you will want to know about this Corcovado train. The train station is in the Cosme Velho neighbourhood. While it’s easy to get there by public bus, the nearest subway exit requires a 40-minute walk to the station.
The train moves only 540 passengers per hour, thus resulting in long queues at a station that attracts pickpockets. Once on the train, you have the option to sit facing forward or backward if you’re lucky enough to get a seat at all. Many passengers end up standing in a challenging position on the steeper portions of the hill. Photographers, be prepared for dirty windows.
However, despite being a bit uncomfortable, it was a quick and easy way to the top.
Our number one recommendation to anyone planning to take the train is to purchase a Skip-the-Line: Christ the Redeemer Admission Ticket. For us, this made the difference between a two-hour queue (New Year’s Eve weekend) and less than 20-minutes total time from exiting our bus to being on the tram.
Van to Christ the Redeemer
An alternate way to get to Christ the Redeemer is to take an air-conditioned van from Copacabana that drives you straight to the top of Corcovado Mountain (statue entrance included in pricing).
On the return trip, you will make a stop to see the Selaron steps in the Lapa neighbourhood. We didn’t do this, but we talked to people who did, and they had no complaints. The only downside seems to be missing the ‘experience’ of the train. Reserve your admission ticket and van transport
Self-drive
While you can’t drive all the way to the top, you can park your car at the Paineriaras station and take a van from there. Personally, I wouldn’t want to drive in Rio de Janeiro, but if you are renting a car already, this is an option to consider. Again, I recommend going early as the car park will fill up.
Go with a tour
A tour is the easiest way to see the monument and often includes other sites in the city. We were in Rio de Janeiro on a two-day stop-over from a South American coastal cruise and opted for a tour that included a skip-the-line tram ticket and a guide available at the top.
The advantages of having a guide meant no hassles anywhere, but we paid for this luxury. If you are selfie-impaired like us, the other advantage of a guide in Rio is they can take your photo without walking off with your camera. However, in our case, our guide was even worse at photos than we were at selfies.
Christ the Redeemer tours
Here are our recommendations depending on what added sites you want to include:
Just the Corcovado tram and Christ the Redeemer
If you only want to see the monument and the views, we highly recommend getting a skip-the-line ticket. With this one, you will still need to make your own way to the station at Cosme Velho. Reserve your skip-the-line ticket here.
Christ the Redeemer & Sugar Loaf small group guided tour
This five-hour small group tour will take you to Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf. In addition, you will pass by many landmark locations, including Copacabana Beach, Boticario Square, and more.
This tour hits the highlights of this city in less than a day. It includes entrance fees and pick-up from various hotels. The reviews are excellent. If I were staying in Rio, this is the tour I would want to take. Reserve your Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf tour here.
Christ the Redeemer, Selarón Stairs, & Sugar Loaf sunset tour
This six-hour tour will also take you to the top of Corcovado and Sugar Loaf. However, your start time will be later in the day, resulting in the opportunity to watch the usually spectacular sunset from Sugar Loaf. On this tour, you will visit the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Selaron stairs. It includes entrance fees and pick up from most southern neighbourhood hotels. The reviews are excellent. Reserve your sunset tour here.
Full-Day with Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Selerón Steps, Sambódromo, and more
Do it all with this full-day inclusive tour that has you visiting Christ the Redeemer, the summit of Sugar Loaf, the Selarón Steps, the Sambódromo, Maracanã stadium, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. You’ll also enjoy a Brazilian steakhouse lunch.
Reserve your full-day tour here.
Rio de Janeiro: Helicopter tour
For those who have more money than time, this is the fast way to get amazing views of it all. The risk is the weather. A woman on our ship took an even more expensive helicopter option offered by the ship, but the fog came in, and she saw nothing. However, if you love this kind of adventure, this particular ride is well-rated. ⇒ Reserve your helicopter tour here.
Don’t miss the chapel
Located under the base of the statue is a small Catholic chapel that is often missed by visitors.
A few interesting Christ the Redeemer facts
- Cristo Redentor (Portuguese) or Christ the Redeemer (English) is the statue’s official name. However, during our short visit, we heard it called the “Jesus statue in Brazil,” “Rio Jesus,” and “that big Jesus statue,” among a long list of other names.
- It is one of the seven wonders of the modern world. You can see the complete list here.
- Built by the Catholic church, the monument was completed in 1931.
More from South America
Starting with our South American itinerary and our general safety tips for travelling in the region.
Sue
Wow – what an experience. And a shame that pickpockets abound there.
Jill
I’ve always felt that I would like to visit this statue if I made it to Rio. I think it’s just one of those “big ticket items” or wonders of the world things. I’m pretty sure I couldn’t get the husband to go though – he feels no need to see wonders of the world and he hates crowds. Looks like it was worth it though.
Lucian
Your recommendations are really useful. I’ll make a trip here this year and your tips will really help me!
stevebethere
Fab photos and views great tour and tips Rhonda 🙂
Have a redeemingtastic week 🙂
Laurie
Thank you for the wonderful tips on how to visit this iconic statue safely. Rio de Janeiro high on my bucket list of places to go and I would not want to miss this hike.
Kat
I didn’t think that there are THAT many people at the top to take photos of Christ the Redeemer until I saw your pic! I just assumed that the crowd would be manageable. If one were to join a guided day tour, would that reduce the risk of pickpocketing? I like the photo that your guide took – not too bad, at least it captured the height of the statue 🙂
Rhonda Albom
Sorry, but having a guide probably won’t reduce risk of pickpockets, but they will give you more information and tips so you can reduce your own risk.
Lydia C. Lee
Good tips. Pickpockets – where there are tourists, they follow. No matter how remote.
Clare
We did this years ago, but fortunately without the huge crowds or the pickpockets. It’s really helpful reading an article which outlines all the negatives as well as the positives. You’ve done this really well here.
Jasmine Hewitt
great info! i learned a lot in this post, really helpful and resoursful
Paul Pietrangelo
I would love to see the Christ the Redeemer but I would never be able to deal with all the problems getting there. I will say the one photo of Christ the Redeemer at night seen from your moving ship was amazing and beautiful. See ya Rhonda.
Cruisin Paul
Rob+Ann
We feel your pain on being “selfie-challenged,” and it seems that something as gargantuan as “that big Jesus statue” would make it even harder still. Seems best to take that selfie closer to sea level. 😉 Thanks for all of the details – very helpful! We’re filing this one away for later.
Jackline A
I have never been to Rio but I do want to visit there one day and to see visit Christ Redeemer. However, it seems like it will be very busy.
kumamonjeng
I have seen the imitation of Christ the Redeemer in Lisbon city a few months ago. So I told myself I needed to visit the one in Rio. Thanks for this details post. It has so much about Brazil and we plan to visit South America end of next year. It is really far away from Asia.
Kim Seghers
I would love to visit there one day go see Christ the Redeemer monument. I can’t believe how busy it gets. That;s amazing how many people visit the monument. Thanks for all the amazing tips!
Monidipa Dutta
I want to visit there. The place looks super good. This i must say will be a great guide for me.
Emese
Like you, I would not consider it a destination for religious reasons, and I would not want to deal with the crowds. But the views of the city below are gorgeous! It looks like it might even be worth battling the crowds.
Konstantina
Rio is one of my travel goals for sure. I have heard so many amazing things and I can’t wait to visit. Hopefully next summer. Amazing post, can’t wait to read more.
Phoebe | Lou Messugo
I’m always interested to see the reality photos of places like this, the packed crowds are pretty horrendous, but I think I’d still be drawn to visiting just like you, for the views, not religious reasons. Thanks for showing it how it is.
Chelle Dizon
I am always in awe whenever I see this place in movies or in TV. Thank you so much for all these informative trivias about Christ the Redeemer monument,
Jill Nunn
Wow! You took some amazing photos! What an adventure you had!
Sandee
I’m not one for crowds, so this wouldn’t be a stop for me. It’s most impressive though.
Have a fabulous day and weekend, Rhonda. ♥
L. Diane Wolfe
I so want to see Rio and that statue. I’d need a personal guard with me as I’m not very observant though.
Allison
I’d love to visit Rio and Christ the Redeemer one day. I’ve heard about the pick pockets at the statue- it definitely is unfortunate. I love hiking but that hike sounds like it’s even more than what I am willing to do.
Chad
This is amazing!!! I would definitely love to travel to Rio one day, it is def on my to do list. Thanks for the info.
Sharon
Yes, the crowds! I like how you have just the tops of the people’s heads in the photos. I would go for this despite the crowds. I often look up above the people and enjoy the historic sights, such as Christ the Redeemer (this especially was the case in Prague!). The views at the top are spectacular, too!
Kids of the Wild
Excellent post and some great tips on travelling in Rio. Fab pics too, one to pin for later
Deborah Patterson
Oh I love Rio, and love reading anything about Brazil which takes me back to the times I’ve spent there. I don’t remember quite those crowds, but they may have something to do with the fact that my visits there were around 15 yeas ago! Those views though…worth every second of discomfort of queuing, hiking or crowds.
Yeah Lifestyle
I didn’t realise you could get to Christ the Redeemer in so many ways. I’d definitely love to visit one day – it is such an iconic monument.
Jenny MacKenzie
I honestly didn’t even know this was an actual place you could visit! Now I do. Stunning photos
Alex J. Cavanaugh
I think we’d splurge for a tour package and go early. While it’s just a statue, it still would be a spiritual experience to see such a large symbol.
Lisa
Great tips here Rhonda! I’ve not yet been to Brazil, let alone Rio, and would love to visit Christ the Redeemer. I feel more prepared now!
Ryan K Biddulph
How cool to see monkeys in that urban area Rhonda. Surprising to me.
Hilary
Hi Rhonda – it looks amazing … and I’d avoid as much of the crowd as I could and get in early. Great tips while the little church looks quite delightful – an essential experience … so glad you made it and could tell us about it. Thanks – cheers Hilary
beatravelling
I definitely wanna do this, but the crowds look daunting – I hate crowds 😀
Brooke
It’s good to know there are many different ways to get to Christ the Redeemer, although it’s disheartening to hear that there are so many issues with pickpockets on the hike. I’m glad you made it to see this famous statue despite recovering from dengue. You certainly have some incredible views and it looks like the view is beautiful from every angle!