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Christ the Redeemer

Brazil🇧🇷 | landmarksChrist the RedeemerSoapstone Art Deco figure, Corcovado cog train, 710-meter lookout, timed tickets | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Christ the Redeemer
🏆 Top pickunique site ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

The cog train bumps through Tijuca forest, and then the statue appears sideways through the trees, much smaller than every photo promised. Then you climb the last stairs and it grows, 30 meters of soapstone tiles on an 8-meter pedestal, arms spanning 28 meters. What surprised me was the sound: no reverence, just hundreds of phones and a crowd lying flat on the stone to fit him into a frame. Christ the Redeemer stands on Corcovado mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, west of Copacabana. Be blunt about it: the platform is packed, the queue for the train or van is long, and the ticket is not cheap. The chapel inside the base is a footnote. What earns the trip is the 710-meter view over Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf and the lagoon. Book a timed ticket online before you go, because walk-up slots sell out.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Brazil Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 unique site in BrazilWhat makes this unique site worth visiting

Christ the Redeemer is the one Rio landmark that justifies a fixed itinerary slot, because no other viewpoint in the city lets you read its whole layout at once: the lagoon, Ipanema's curve, the Maracanã stadium, the bay islands and the favela-draped hills. You see why Rio's geography is so odd, with granite domes shoving up out of the city. The effort is small. Corcovado sits inside Tijuca National Park, one of the largest urban forests on earth, so the trip doubles as a rainforest visit. That makes it easy to fold into a route that also takes in Sugarloaf Mountain and the Botanical Garden, which sit at the base of the same granite chain. Skip the idea that you need a whole day here. A morning is enough. Arrive early, because cloud often wraps the summit by midday and turns the statue into … read more 👉
Christ the Redeemer is the one Rio landmark that justifies a fixed itinerary slot, because no other viewpoint in the city lets you read its whole layout at once: the lagoon, Ipanema's curve, the Maracanã stadium, the bay islands and the favela-draped hills. You see why Rio's geography is so odd, with granite domes shoving up out of the city. The effort is small. Corcovado sits inside Tijuca National Park, one of the largest urban forests on earth, so the trip doubles as a rainforest visit. That makes it easy to fold into a route that also takes in Sugarloaf Mountain and the Botanical Garden, which sit at the base of the same granite chain. Skip the idea that you need a whole day here. A morning is enough. Arrive early, because cloud often wraps the summit by midday and turns the statue into a gray shape. Use the view as orientation for the rest of your Rio days: pick the beaches, neighborhoods and trails you can see below you.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. The Statue: The Art Deco figure, 30 meters tall, is covered in thousands of small triangular soapstone tiles, and up close you can see the seams. Stand directly beneath the outstretched hands to feel the scale.
  2. The Panoramic View: The platform looks across Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf, Copacabana and Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. The south-facing side gives the classic lagoon shot.
  3. Corcovado Cog Train: The rack railway, opened in 1884, climbs about 4 kilometers through Atlantic forest from Cosme Velho. Sit on the right side going up for the best glimpses, and watch for marmosets near the rails.
  4. The Chapel of Our Lady of Aparecida: A tiny chapel in the pedestal, dedicated to Brazil's patron saint. It holds a few pews and is used for Mass and baptisms. Step in for the quiet.
  5. Tijuca National Park Trail:
… read more 👉
  1. The Statue: The Art Deco figure, 30 meters tall, is covered in thousands of small triangular soapstone tiles, and up close you can see the seams. Stand directly beneath the outstretched hands to feel the scale.
  2. The Panoramic View: The platform looks across Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf, Copacabana and Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. The south-facing side gives the classic lagoon shot.
  3. Corcovado Cog Train: The rack railway, opened in 1884, climbs about 4 kilometers through Atlantic forest from Cosme Velho. Sit on the right side going up for the best glimpses, and watch for marmosets near the rails.
  4. The Chapel of Our Lady of Aparecida: A tiny chapel in the pedestal, dedicated to Brazil's patron saint. It holds a few pews and is used for Mass and baptisms. Step in for the quiet.
  5. Tijuca National Park Trail: A hiking route leads up Corcovado through the forest from Parque Lage, an alternative to the train. It is steep and takes a couple of hours. Go early and carry water.
  6. Mirante Dona Marta: A lookout on the road partway up, with a different angle on the statue and the city. It is much less crowded than the summit.
  7. The Escalators and Panoramic Lifts: Lifts and escalators bring you from the van or train stop to the platform, which makes the summit workable for people with limited mobility.
Combine the Corcovado train in the early morning with Parque Lage's gardens and forest trails, since both sit on the same side of the mountain.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Christ the Redeemer

Day Tour in Rio de Janeiro

Day Tour in Rio de Janeiro

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Rio de Janeiro Private Tour: Christ, Sugar Loaf & Selarón Steps!

Rio de Janeiro Private Tour: Christ, Sugar Loaf & Selarón Steps!

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Private SUV up to 7 people : Cristo Redentor + Rio`s hot spots

Private SUV up to 7 people : Cristo Redentor + Rio`s hot spots

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Private Rio Tour: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf & Selarón Steps

Private Rio Tour: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf & Selarón Steps

5.0(43)
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per personViator
8 Hour Private Tour by Car in Rio de Janeiro

8 Hour Private Tour by Car in Rio de Janeiro

5.0(41)
From €307
per personViator
Rio de Janeiro private Full day Custom Tours

Rio de Janeiro private Full day Custom Tours

5.0(36) 8h
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One Day in Rio with a Photographer

One Day in Rio with a Photographer

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From €245
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Christ the Redeemer, Tijuca National Forest & City Tour in 7hrs

Christ the Redeemer, Tijuca National Forest & City Tour in 7hrs

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Private Tour 7-Hours: Rio Best Sights with Airport, Port Pick-ups

Private Tour 7-Hours: Rio Best Sights with Airport, Port Pick-ups

5.0(32) 7h
From €172
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Christ Redeemer Private Tour with a Photographer

Christ Redeemer Private Tour with a Photographer

5.0(32) 4h
From €182
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Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

Arrive on a weekday morning between May and September for the clearest views and thinnest crowds.
  • Dry Season (May to September): Rio runs 18 to 27°C (64 to 81°F) with the lowest rainfall, so the summit is more often clear of cloud. Daylight lasts about 11 hours. Weekends and July school holidays bring long queues.
  • Summer (December to March): Expect 25 to 35°C (77 to 95°F), heavy humidity and afternoon thunderstorms. Cloud often swallows the statue by midday. Hotel prices jump around Christmas, New Year and Carnival, and daylight stretches to about 13 hours.
  • Shoulder Months (April, October, November): Temperatures sit around 21 to 30°C (70 to 86°F), crowds ease and rooms cost less. Showers are short but possible.
  • Time of Day: Early slots right at opening catch cooler air and fewer tour groups.
… read more 👉
Arrive on a weekday morning between May and September for the clearest views and thinnest crowds.
  • Dry Season (May to September): Rio runs 18 to 27°C (64 to 81°F) with the lowest rainfall, so the summit is more often clear of cloud. Daylight lasts about 11 hours. Weekends and July school holidays bring long queues.
  • Summer (December to March): Expect 25 to 35°C (77 to 95°F), heavy humidity and afternoon thunderstorms. Cloud often swallows the statue by midday. Hotel prices jump around Christmas, New Year and Carnival, and daylight stretches to about 13 hours.
  • Shoulder Months (April, October, November): Temperatures sit around 21 to 30°C (70 to 86°F), crowds ease and rooms cost less. Showers are short but possible.
  • Time of Day: Early slots right at opening catch cooler air and fewer tour groups. Late afternoon is busy but gives soft light over Guanabara Bay and Sugarloaf.
Check the live summit webcam before you board the train, since cloud can clear or close in within an hour.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: below average for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
Brazil - Christ the Redeemer

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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Santa Teresa is the closest backpacker base to Christ the Redeemer, and Botafogo, Flamengo and Copacabana are the other solid options. Santa Teresa sits on a hill above the center, with cobbled lanes, small hostels, bars and the old tram route. It is atmospheric and social, but some streets get dark and empty late, so take rideshares after nightfall. Botafogo and Flamengo suit budget travelers who want a local feel, cheap lunch spots, supermarkets and the metro on the doorstep. They are also near Cosme Velho, where the Corcovado train departs, a short ride away. Both are calmer than the beach … read more 👉
Santa Teresa is the closest backpacker base to Christ the Redeemer, and Botafogo, Flamengo and Copacabana are the other solid options. Santa Teresa sits on a hill above the center, with cobbled lanes, small hostels, bars and the old tram route. It is atmospheric and social, but some streets get dark and empty late, so take rideshares after nightfall. Botafogo and Flamengo suit budget travelers who want a local feel, cheap lunch spots, supermarkets and the metro on the doorstep. They are also near Cosme Velho, where the Corcovado train departs, a short ride away. Both are calmer than the beach districts, which makes them good for solo travelers who want sleep. Copacabana has the densest hostel scene, with easy company, beach days and lively nights, plus metro and bus links to the statue departure points. Expect dorm beds at roughly US$10 to 25. Ipanema is pricier but safe and polished, with a few good hostels. Stay on busy, well-lit streets, keep phones out of sight on the beach and avoid wandering at night with valuables. Book ahead for Carnival and New Year, when dorms fill weeks early.
Best hostels in Brazil


Best quality hotels in Brazil

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Christ the Redeemer

A realistic daily budget for visiting Christ the Redeemer as a backpacker is about US$50 to 94, including the ticket, transport, food and a dorm bed.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Summit ticket (train or van)US$20 to 30Tickets bundle the ride and entry. Peak-time slots cost more, and off-peak slots are cheaper. Booking online avoids queues.
Accommodation (high season)US$15 to 30Dorm beds in Copacabana, Botafogo or Santa Teresa. Low season dorms drop to about US$10 to 18.
Local transportUS$2 to 8Metro and buses cost under US$1.50 a ride. Rideshares to Cosme Velho cost US$3 to 7 from the beach districts.
FoodUS$10 to 18Per-kilo lunch buffets and set-plate lunches cost US$5 to 9. Snacks at the summit are pricier.
Drinks and extrasUS$3 to 8Water, coconut water and a caipirinha or two. Summit kiosks
… read more 👉
A realistic daily budget for visiting Christ the Redeemer as a backpacker is about US$50 to 94, including the ticket, transport, food and a dorm bed.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Summit ticket (train or van)US$20 to 30Tickets bundle the ride and entry. Peak-time slots cost more, and off-peak slots are cheaper. Booking online avoids queues.
Accommodation (high season)US$15 to 30Dorm beds in Copacabana, Botafogo or Santa Teresa. Low season dorms drop to about US$10 to 18.
Local transportUS$2 to 8Metro and buses cost under US$1.50 a ride. Rideshares to Cosme Velho cost US$3 to 7 from the beach districts.
FoodUS$10 to 18Per-kilo lunch buffets and set-plate lunches cost US$5 to 9. Snacks at the summit are pricier.
Drinks and extrasUS$3 to 8Water, coconut water and a caipirinha or two. Summit kiosks charge a premium.
Total Daily BudgetUS$50 to 94About US$72 for a typical day with a mid-range ticket, high-season dorm, transport, food and drinks.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Christ the Redeemer is a 30-meter Art Deco statue of Jesus with outstretched arms, standing on a 8-meter pedestal at the top of Corcovado Mountain, about 710 meters above Rio de Janeiro. Completed in 1931, it was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. It sits inside Tijuca National Park and looks over Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf and Copacabana.
Plan about 3 to 4 hours door to door, including the ride up, queues and time at the summit. The viewing platform itself takes 45 to 90 minutes, and many travelers stay longer for photos if the cloud lifts. Christ the Redeemer pairs well with Sugarloaf or the Botanical Garden for a full day, but start early to beat the crowds.
Take the Corcovado train from Cosme Velho station, a 20-minute ride through Tijuca forest, or the official vans from Largo do Machado, Copacabana or Barra. Rideshares from Copacabana take 15 to 25 minutes and cost about US$4 to 8. Tickets run about US$20 to 30 and booking ahead is wise. Hiking from Parque Lage takes roughly 2 to 3 hours on a steep trail, and going with a guide is advised.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Brazilian landmarks near Christ the Redeemer

Explore more nearby:

  • Sítio Roberto Burle Marx—Planted color blocks, modernist landscape design, folk art house, guided tours only| 35 km away
  • Convento da Penha—Franciscan sanctuary, 154-meter hilltop, bay panorama, Easter pilgrims| 420 km away
  • Buda Gigante de Ibiraçu—Seated Buddha, hillside viewpoint, Italian-rooted town, coffee ridges| 451 km away

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on visiting Christ the Redeemer

Christ the Redeemer is best in the first slot of the morning, when the forest air is cool and cloud has not yet closed over the summit. I would go in the dry months, May to September, and pick a clear weekday. Skip the late-afternoon crush.

✈️ When did I visit Brazil?
Call it good timing or luck, but I was able to celebrate Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro in February 2022, after a round trip in the north and east coast.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Brazil, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

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