Going to the Christ the Redeemer requires to take a mountain train at Cosme Velho Station. Here’s the info:

As for how to get to the train station, I’d recommend taking an Uber since it’s relatively cheap (12 minute drive costs around $2) and saves time. (taking a bus from where I stayed - Hotel Socialtel Lapa requires 1 hr 🥲)

Christ the Redeemer has been on my bucket list for a LONG time (since I was in high school, now I’m 27 year old. Then you know how long it is!) so I was very satisfied to check that off. As for the statue itself, I feel like it’s not that tall but because of the base, it gets elevated to a height that you can’t easily take a picture with the whole statue, especially when tourists are everywhere.

For first time experience, overall it’s good. But I think I would appreciate the statue more from a distance. Well, there’s a saying - distance creates beauty, no?

For some context, I know Sugarloaf is famous for cable car and sunset view but I didn’t plan to go at the beginning because I thought it’s just a cliché. I was like “Come on! How different the sunset could be? It’s just a sunset, no?” I didn’t feel like spending $40 on a cable car just to see a sunset I could see in my daily life.

But there’s a twist! A couple I met on the train down from Christ the Redeemer invited me and my partner to join them for the Sugarloaf cable car, so here I was! Definitely love the spontaneity and felt the hospitality of Brazilian. (One of them is Brazilian) This is also one of the reasons why I love to travel - meeting interesting people with backgrounds so different from yours — that’s where the sparks arise.

About the sunset, I have to say it’s the most stunning sunset I have ever seen! The Christ statue stands on top the mountain on the left, while the sunset lights up the right side, casting warm tones over rolling hills and the picturesque Guanabara Bay. The whole scene feels so calm that I started to rethink about Rio. It may not be the richest by many conventional standards, but it is blessed with the most beautiful sunset.

I recommend going to O real mureta da Urca for port view (and food) first and then start from there, walking 10 minutes to the cable car station here. The cable car has 4 stops, 2 journeys:

The stations are located in parks which have stores like Havaianas, ice cream and bars. I remembered there’s a bar playing loud music while I was there. People seemed to enjoy a lot and even danced to the music, creating a mini party vibe, which I think is a signature of Brazil 😆

In addition to the sunset, there’s also another view that makes the cable car worthy. The Guanabara Bay! When you see it from above in the cable car, you would suddenly realized how magnificent it is! There was a moment when I couldn’t help but feel in awe that Rio possesses such a breathtaking view.

Earlier I mentioned going to “O real mureta da Urca for port view (and food)”. The food I referred to is actually Urca Grill, which is a buffet and is recommended by the couple. We had such a good time there. The food is yummy and the price is reasonable. Strongly recommended if you are around that area.