Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) might be Rio’s most famous tourist attraction, with one of the best views of the city. It’s VERY popular, so prepare for crowds and a lot of photos being taken. Here’s a quick rundown for you.
How to Get to Christ the Redeemer
The monument is located at the top of Mount Corcovado, within Tijuca National Park. There are three main ways to get there:
- Train
- Van
- Hike
CORCOVADO TRAIN
The most popular route—and what I did. It’s pretty straightforward. You purchase a round-trip ticket online at the official Trem do Corcovado website. Adult tickets currently cost R$134 (Brazilian reais).
I highly recommend buying your ticket online so you can choose your desired departure time. If you plan to go early in the morning, you may want to buy it a day or two beforehand.
You catch the train at the Cosme Velho Station. The ride takes you up through Tijuca National Park to the top of Corcovado. It’s a comfortable experience, with the train having adequate seating for everyone.
OFFICIAL VAN
Getting there by official van is another popular option. There are three main pick-up locations to choose from:
- Largo do Machado – The official boarding point is in front of the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Glória, near the Largo do Machado metro station.
- Praça do Lido – Located in Copacabana, near Posto 2 of Copacabana Beach.
- Paineiras Visitor Center – Pick-up directly from the visitor center.
Purchase tickets directly from the Paineiras Corcovado website.
Prices vary depending on the date and boarding point, so I recommend checking the official website before your visit. Tickets include round-trip transportation from your selected boarding point and admission to Christ the Redeemer.
The route takes you through Tijuca National Park on the way to the monument.
HIKING FROM PARQUE LAGE
I’ve heard the hike is difficult, but worth it. One thing is for sure, though: the trail itself is free.
The trail begins at Parque Lage and climbs through Tijuca National Park toward Corcovado. Depending on your physical condition, the complete hike can take up to four hours. It’s a real hike too, not a walk in the park. The route includes some very steep sections, but the area is beautiful and wildlife sightings are fairly common.
The trail eventually connects with the Paineiras–Corcovado trail and ends at Corcovado. From there, you’ll still need to purchase admission to access the Christ the Redeemer monument. Adult admission for hikers is currently R$58.
Keep in mind that access to the Parque Lage–Corcovado trail closes at 3:00 PM, so this is definitely something you’ll want to start earlier in the day.
My Experience Visiting Christ the Redeemer
I took an Uber to the Cosme Velho train station, got my voucher after displaying the electronic ticket I had bought online, then waited about 15 minutes for the train to arrive.
Next to the station, there’s a cafe in case you want a bite to eat, and inside the station there’s a chocolate shop and a souvenir shop.
On a side note, after I left, I actually walked all the way back to my hostel in the Santa Teresa/Lapa area from the station because I wanted to explore some neighborhoods that I hadn’t yet seen. It was actually a nice walk. I spent quite a bit of time exploring Rio during this trip, including experiencing Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, which was obviously a completely different side of the city.
Anyways….
After exiting the train, you make your way up toward the statue. There’s a restaurant and a gelato/açaí vendor on the way if you need a snack or something to drink.
The Christ the Redeemer Monument
The statue is really cool. It’s striking when it appears from amidst the passing clouds. I actually waited a while to be able to see it. At some points, it was completely covered and all I could see was the silhouette.
For clarification, I went on a mostly sunny day, but clouds can gather around Corcovado and dramatically affect visibility. My advice would be to check the weather before going and, if possible, visit when conditions look clear.
When Christ does appear out of the mist, though, it’s pretty majestic. Everybody rushes to take their photos before the clouds come back and spoil the moment.
By the way, it’s very crowded. The part of the platform that extends farther away, providing the best opportunity for you and the statue to be photographed head to toe, is highly congested. I went alone, so I took more close-up pics and didn’t really feel like going into the crowd and waiting for the perfect moment to get the best one.
The View from Christ the Redeemer
I really didn’t get to enjoy the panoramic views because of the clouds, but they’re some of the best in the city from the videos I’ve seen. I’m sure they really add to the experience.
Below is literally all I could see. On the other side, there was no visibility at all, and I wasn’t about to wait forever for it, seeing as though I had already had my share of spectacular Rio views.
Is Christ the Redeemer Worth Visiting?
All in all, Cristo Redentor is worth a visit if done correctly. It was cool to see how excited people were, but also a bit annoying how many photos were constantly being taken. But I totally get it.
I like to be the off-the-beaten-path kind of traveler at times, so the Instagrammed reality we live in is a bit much sometimes. It is what it is, though.
Sometimes I just look at people and ask, “Why are you here? Just to take a picture?” as I watch everyone do the same damn pose over and over. Maybe I’m just the Grinch and I should join in the cliché fun from time to time.
So, again… Christ the Redeemer is impressive and admirable. If it’s something you’re looking forward to seeing, go for it! If you’re planning to explore more of the state of Rio de Janeiro, I also spent time along the coast in Arraial do Cabo and Búzios, home to some of my favorite beaches in Brazil.
