Our Magical Cable Car Ride To Sugarloaf Mountain Rio de Janeiro

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My family just returned home from an 8-day trip to Brazil! We split our time between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, and I have so much to share with you. One of our favorite activities was taking the cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain Rio de Janeiro.  

We just about timed it perfectly to catch the sunset! I got some great photos, and we even shared dinner at the mountain’s summit. So, in this travel blog post, I’ll share our first-hand experience visiting this iconic Brazilian landmark. Additionally, I have some essential tips to make your visit as great as possible. So, keep reading! 

Visting Sugarloaf Mountain Rio de Janeiro

Nestled in the heart of Rio de Janeiro, Sugarloaf Mountain, known to locals as Pão de Açúcar, is an iconic landmark offering breathtaking city views. It’s no wonder that it tops travel bucket lists year after year! 

Our family’s recent visit on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, was a memorable adventure filled with jaw-dropping sights and magical moments. When we planned our trip to Brazil, we left our schedule pretty open. Other than The Eras Tour and our Flytographer photo shoot, we had no set plans. However, I knew for certain that we were going to Sugarloaf Mountain one night.  TripAdvisor ranks it #1 out of 875 things to do in Rio de Janeiro!

We ended up doing it on the second day of our trip. I had been watching the weather, trying to ensure clear skies and a nice sunset. So, we did not book anything in advance and made the decision to go mid-afternoon. There are some things I would change about our timeline, and I’ll touch on that here shortly! 

I am writing this post chronologically, so I will start with how we got from our Airbnb along Ipanema Beach to the actual cable car station at the base of the mountain. 

Getting To The Base Of Sugarloaf Mountain Rio de Janeiro

While Sugarloaf Moutain is visible from Copacabana Beach, it’s not really anywhere that you can or want to walk to. You will need to rely on public transportation or an Uber. Ubers are very inexpensive in this area, so hands down, they are the best option. Uber drop-off works great, as there is very limited parking! 

We got in our Uber, and as we navigated the vibrant streets of Rio, each turn unveiled an area new to us. I love just looking out the window and experiencing the hustle and bustle of a big city! 

As we made our way to the base of Sugarloaf Mountain, the excitement was palpable. I, in particular, was anticipating the cable car ride that awaited us, knowing the panoramic views that would leave us in awe.

Arrival At The Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car Station

Upon arriving at the base, we discovered various lines that we needed to queue up in. There is a line for tour groups, prepurchased tickets, skip-the-line VIP-style tickets, and one for people like us who were buying tickets on-site. 

These lines can get pretty long, and the one we were in definitely moves the slowest. If you are visiting during peak times, you might want to prebuy your tickets or opt for a skip-the-line ticket like this Sugarloaf Mountain Skip The Line Ticket from Viator. 

We were in that line (to enter the ticketing area) for about 20 or so minutes. Which wasn’t a big deal, except that this was only the first of several lines we would end up waiting in. I wish we had gotten there an hour or so earlier. 

Arriving at 4:30 pm, with the sun setting around 6:15 pm, left us feeling rushed. I quickly realized that getting there an hour earlier would have allowed us to witness the sunset in its full glory and not feel anxious standing in lines and missing out. Nonetheless, we were able to catch the tail end of the sunset. The golden hues cast upon the cityscape created a magical atmosphere.

TIP: Either arrive 3 hours before sunset or buy a skip-the-lines ticket.

Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car Tickets And Entrance

Once we got through the first line, we had to go to another ticketing line. This process took another 20 or so minutes. The ticketing process was smooth, and we eagerly moved to the next stage, a third line, to board a cable car. 

Let’s stop here and look at the different ticket options and prices. Please note that there is just one “ticket” that is for the cable car. So, Sugarloaf Mountain tickets and Cable Car Tickets are sometimes used interchangeably. 

Buying Tickets for Sugarloaf Mountain 

Buying directly from Parque Bondinho’s official website will be the cheapest option, but only by a little bit. There are special discounted tickets for local residents and local students with IDs. But, for the sake of this post, I assume you are visiting internationally and are unable to purchase those. You will want to have your ID/passport with you to verify names and ages on and for tickets. I don’t generally recommend carrying your passport with you while out and about when traveling, but this is one instance you should. 

Also, at the time of writing this, the Brazilian Real is approximately 20% of the value of the USD. To estimate the conversion easily, I divide the number of Reais by 5 to get an approximate cost in USD. 

Parque Bondinho Regular Tickets:

• Adults: R$ 185.00  
• Kids (3-21): R$ 92.00
• Seniors (60+): R$ 92.00

This converts to around $37 for adults and $19 for kids/seniors. 

Parque Bondinho Fast Pass Skip The Lines Tickets:

• Adults: R$ 285.00  
• Kids (3-21): R$ 142.00
• Seniors (60+): R$ 142.00

This converts to around $57 for adults and $29 for kids/seniors. 

Other Ticket Providers

You can also buy tickets through various other providers for around the same price. For example, I priced out 4 Viator Skip The Line Tickets For Sugarloaf Mountain, and my total was $179. This is within dollars of booking directly, and the online buying process is more straightforward. Plus, you can keep tickets in your app to stay organized. 

For basic tickets, the Tripadvisor Sugarloaf Cable Car Ticket comes to the same cost as buying from the park. 

Additionally, Get Your Guide has a ticket that is slightly more expensive but is cancellable up to 24 hours prior, unlike the others.

I prefer buying tickets through apps like TripAdvisor, Viator and Get Your Guide because I can view all the information and costs in English. This helps ensure that I get all the critical information. 

Prebuying Sugarloaf Mountain Tickets vs Buying Them Upon Arrival

Unless you know that you are coming at an off-peak time, buying your tickets online is so much easier. You can even do this on the same day. 

Furthermore, if you have a small group of 2 or 4 people, buying the Skip The Line tickets is worth it. If you have a larger group, that $20 extra adds up fast. But, as you will find out shortly, we have yet to hit the worst line. 

The Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car Experience

So, we have our tickets and are ready to go! After getting to the front of the boarding line, we were directed to stand in a holding area and await the next cable car. There are two cars on each set of lines, and they run continuously.  

Once our car arrived, we crowded in with dozens of people, all jockeying for a good spot. I would choose the front or the back of the car. Or anywhere you can be close to the glass. The cable car system at Sugarloaf Mountain is a marvel in itself. We couldn’t help but marvel at this engineering feat.  

The ascent began, and with every passing moment, the sprawling beauty of Rio unfolded before our eyes. But don’t blink because you’ll miss it! The ride from Praia Vermelha to the first stop, Morro da Urca, takes only 3 minutes. 

Riding The Cable Cars To Sugarloaf Mountain Rio de Janeiro

Ascending towards the first stop at Morro da Urca and then on to the summit of the 1,299-foot Sugarloaf Mountain, the cable car treated us to panoramic views of the city, its beaches, and lush landscapes. The golden light was overflowing, and our anticipation grew as we approached each stop.

Stop 1: Morro da Urca

Only three short minutes after we boarded, about the same amount of time you’ve spent reading this, we arrived at the first stop. 

I had no idea what to expect, and Morro da Urca was buzzing with excitement and things to do. This area offered more than just views. There were restaurants, shopping, drinks, and even a helicopter pad. Yes, you can take a helicopter ride from here! 

From here, we could see the Christ the Redeemer statue, and I couldn’t see over the sailboats dotting Guanabara Bay. We could have spent a lot of time here and probably stayed here to enjoy watching the sun fully set. A good option would be to eat dinner in an open-air area.

But we were in a hurry to get to the top. The ample time I thought I had was quickly disappearing, and I really wanted to see the sunset from the top. This is where we quickly ran into an issue because everyone else had the same idea.

The Longest Line Ever

The line for the second cable car ride up to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain was very long. We were shocked as we kept walking, snaking past queued-up visitors, hoping to find the end of the line. After about a 5-7 minute walk, we found the end of the line and took our spot. This line took about 20 minutes, essentially the entire time the sun was setting, and was along a garden walkway. It was gorgeous but offered no view of the setting sun. 

This is where you need to have the skip-the-line tickets! The day we were there, it wasn’t particularly busy. It was neither a weekend nor a holiday. But this bottleneck really put a damper on our energy. It did move much quicker than we expected, which was a good thing.

But, as we rode up, I captured this photograph. The golden sunset light still spilled over and between the hills and mountains, making it pretty magical! 

The Summit: Sugarloaf Mountain Rio de Janeiro

Reaching the summit after another short 3-minute ride, we were greeted by a 360-degree panorama that took our breath away. The city lights twinkled as the sun fully dipped behind the mountains.

While we missed the sunset’s peak beauty, the early evening allowed us to witness the city transitioning from day to night, a spectacle in its own right. From the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, we enjoyed views of iconic landmarks such as Copacabana Beach and Christ The Redeemer, creating a visual wonder that we will forever cherish.

Like Morro da Urca, the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain offered noteworthy attractions like viewing platforms, souvenir shops, and restaurants. Which was good because, at this point, it was almost 7 pm, and we were starving.  

Classico Beach Club Urca: A Restuarant At The Top Of Sugarloaf Mountain Rio de Janiero

We stumbled upon the Classico Beach Club Urca and immediately knew we wanted to grab a table there. The tables are first come, first serve, and we lucked out, grabbing one on the upper level along the railing. Look at these views of Copacabana Beach! I pressed this image into my memory forever.

I want to point out that the mountain closed at 8 pm that day. This meant the last car down left at around 7:45 pm. So, we ordered quickly. We ended up having to scarf things down. I don’t want this to happen to you, so get to the summit earlier than we did! 

It’s worth it!

That concludes our personal experience riding the iconic cable cars up to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro. However, before I wrap up, I want to share a few tips and more first-hand knowledge. My goal is for you to have the best trip ever! 

Tips for Visiting Sugarloaf Mountain Rio de Janeiro

Sugarloaf Mountain isn’t just a geological wonder; it’s a symbol of Rio de Janeiro’s beauty and charm. Our journey to its summit promised a glimpse into the city’s stunning landscapes and an experience that would stay with us forever. Here are some things I learned on my trip to Rio de Janeiro. 

What Are The Best Times Of Day To Visit Sugarloaf Mountain?

The most popular time to visit Sugarloaf Moutain is afternoon and sunset. However, that will be the busiest time. Regardless, I can’t imagine going and not trying to time it for the golden hour. On the other hand, some visitors like to go first thing in the morning when the crowds are fewer.  

How Long Do You Need To Visit Rio de Janeiro’s Sugarloaf Mountain?

We were there from 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm, and I didn’t have enough time. Everywhere online said to budget around 3 hours, but I needed 5 to 6 hours from start to finish to truly savor it. This is especially important if you don’t have a Skip The Line Ticket and/or plan to eat dinner and have drinks at the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain. 

In hindsight, we would have gotten there at around 2:30 pm and stayed until it closed for 5 and a half hours in total. We would have fully experienced the sunset and been able to savor dinner more. 

What Should You Bring When Visiting Sugarloaf Mountain?

Pack essentials like comfortable clothing, a camera, and water/snacks for an enjoyable experience. Commercial photography is not permitted without permission, so leave the big gear at home. I hand held my Nikon Z6ii camera for all of these photos. Also, bring a light jacket if the weather is chilly because it can be windy and brisk at the summit with the breeze from the Atlantic Ocean. 

When Is The Best Day To Visit Sugarloaf Mountain

The key here is to check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. You want to visit on a clear or less cloudy day to see it all! The weekends and holidays will be the most crowded, so opt for a weekday.

Shopping And Dining on Sugarloaf Mountain

At both stops, plenty of shopping and food/drink are available. Small kiosks and food carts sell everything from ice cream to gourmet nuts. And there are a handful of actual restaurants where you can sit and dine. Some are counter service, and others are full service. We didn’t have time to go into the shops, another reason to budget plenty of time for this adventure. 

Guidelines for Visitors

Know that you need to scan your cable car ticket a total of 4 times, so don’t lose it! This includes two boardings on the way up and two on the way down. While visiting Morro da Urca and Sugarloaf Mountain, please respect the environment and follow safety guidelines. Take time to appreciate the diverse offerings at the summit. Engaging with locals can provide valuable insights into the mountain’s significance.

Plan Your Cable Car Ride To The Top of Sugarloaf Mountain Rio de Janeiro

The cable car visit left a lasting impression on each of us. From the thrill of the ascent to the sheer beauty of the surroundings, Sugarloaf Mountain became a highlight of our Brazilian adventure.

The cable car experience is a must for anyone seeking a unique perspective of Rio de Janeiro. And, as the city lights twinkled below, we reflected on the day’s experiences. Sugarloaf Mountain is more than a tourist attraction; it’s a gateway to the soul of Rio de Janeiro. It should be at the top of your bucket list! 

More Fun Things To Do In Rio de Janeiro

Looking for some more fun things to do in Rio de Janeiro? Guided day tours are very popular. The guests are typically bilingual and can better communicate with you as they show off their hometown. We were caught off guard by how few people speak even a world of English. When traveling to Europe, we had much more luck navigating language barriers. 

We also had an afternoon sailing trip booked that was unfortunately canceled due to the weather. I was really looking forward to that and would recommend it to anyone traveling to Rio de Janeiro! 

Inspired To Travel More? Check Out My Related Posts! 

Read about our other travel adventures in Rio de Janeiro and beyond in the travel section of my blog! 

And for even more family travel inspiration, travel tips, and fun world travel destinations, follow us on social media! I share a lot in my Instagram stories, and the story highlights are full of travel content. 

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