A One Day Itinerary in Rio de Janeiro

  • 9:00 AM: Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor)
    30 minutes (6.2 miles) from Copacabana Beach

    The Christ the Redeemer statue is one of the iconic symbols of Rio de Janeiro, situated on the peak of the Corcovado mountain. The statue of Jesus Christ stands tall with welcoming arms, granting a panoramic view of the city of Rio de Janeiro.

  • 11:00 AM: Selaron Steps (Escadaria Selaron)
    20 minutes (4.4 miles) from Christ the Redeemer

    The Selaron Steps is a colorful mosaic stairway that connects the bohemian Lapa neighbourhood to the Santa Teresa neighbourhood. The over 200 steps are covered in tiles gathered from more than 60 countries giving it a unique touch of art and history.

  • 1:00 PM: Lunch at Confeitaria Colombo
    15 minutes (2.8 miles) from Selaron Steps

    Confeitaria Colombo is a café and restaurant located in the heart of downtown Rio. It offers a traditional lunch experience with plenty of Brazilian delicacies, sweets and cakes that will make the traveler feel the essence of the city.

  • 3:00 PM: Sugarloaf Mountain (Pao de Acucar)
    20 minutes (2.5 miles) from Confeitaria Colombo

    The Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car offers the travelers a stunning view of the Rio Bay, the Cristo Redentor, and the city skylinel. The summit offers a breathtaking snapshot of the natural beauty of Rio de Janeiro.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) (30 minutes, BRL $74 per person)
  • Selaron Steps (Escadaria Selaron) (1 hour, free)
  • Lunch at Confeitaria Colombo (1 hour, BRL $75 per person)
  • Sugarloaf Mountain (Pao de Acucar) (2 hours, BRL $99 per person)
  • Total Estimated Costs: BRL $248 per person

Transportation

Since the attractions are at a considerable distance from each other, a taxi or an app-based ride-share is preferred. A one-day public transportation pass can be used if the traveler prefers a more economical alternative to taxis.

Average travel costs are BRL $85 for taxis and BRL $20 for public transportation.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, visit the Tijuca National Park, the largest urban forest in the world, and explore the nature reserves around the city.

If you have less time, skip visiting Confeitaria Colombo and spend more time exploring the Christ the Redeemer statue or the Selaron Steps.

Airports

Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport (GIG) is an international airport located in the area of Galeão, 13.2 miles from the city center. Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) is a domestic airport located close to downtown Rio, approximately 3.1 miles from the city center.

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