Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car - Pão de Açúcar e bondinho

A ride up the cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain is a breathtaking experience

Cable car arriving at the top of Sugarloaf
Cable car arriving at the top of Sugarloaf

Sugarloaf Mountain or Pão de Açúcar is one of the most popular attractions in Rio de Janeiro having had over 37 million visitors. The Sugarloaf Cable Car is one of the safest in the world. You won't want to leave Rio before riding to the top of this world famous landmark in one of the 65 passenger plexiglass wrapped cable cars affording you an incredible 360° view of the beaches and forests spread out below.

The Sugarloaf cable car consists of two stages with each one taking about three minutes to traverse. The first stage of the ride starts at Praia Vermelha, or Red Beach and carries you up to Morro Da Urca. The second stage takes you the rest of the way to the top. You reach an altitude of 528 meters at a leisurely rate of between 21 and 31 kilometers per hour.

The cable car system is rated as one of the safest in the world and the maintenance of the system leave nothing to be desired. The cables are replaced on a regular basis and the cars do not move if the weather is foul. Its engineer, Augusto Ferreira Ramos, would be proud to see the joy that his creation has brought to visitors in Rio de Janeiro.

From the car, you and 64 other passengers will love the full circle view of the surrounding forests and beaches, you get to see downtown Rio, the airport and the famous Rio-Niteroi Bridge. If you know where to look and are lucky, you might even see a few enthusiastic hikers walking the trails on Morro da Urca, something you can also enjoy. The gondolas which travel the first stage of the cable car system are specially ventilated and have anti-glare glass to help keep you cool and prevent the bright sun from ruining your view.

Once you get to the top, it is not just a case of enjoying the view. There are shops selling curios and souvenirs to keep you entertained and give you the opportunity to take home some unique gifts for your friends and family. You'll also find coffee shops and cafes at the top of the mountain so you can take some time to have a romantic lunch or simply a quick snack.

It is good to note that the Sugarloaf complex has elevators making it possible for those who are physically disabled to enjoy this great experience.

A ride on the Sugarloaf Cable Car is an excellent way to get a panoramic view of a large portion of Rio de Janeiro. Make sure that you don't miss it!

Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Yes

Address: Sugarloaf Mountain - Urca, Rio de Janeiro - State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Official Website: Pão de Açúcar e bondinho

Pão de Açúcar e bondinho Reviews

Rated 4.8 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating That's one thing you absolutely have to do in Rio and in my opinion it's event better than Christ the redeemer. Excellent organization, there were no queues and plenty of stores on both stations in case you want to take a break. Look at the forecasted weather though, if it's cloudy you won't see an thing from the top station !
Michael - a month ago

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5 Star Rating Absolutely a place to visit, if you are in Rio for several days wait for a clear day. We went up on a day when it was cloudy and rainy. Beautiful views but wish we could see more.
David Rosenduft - a month ago

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5 Star Rating Highly recommend the trail to the first cable cart stop then take the cable cart up to the top. You navigation through the jungle is intriguing and fun. Appreciate the view and occasionally encounter of the wild animals.
James Xu - 4 weeks ago

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4 Star Rating I know this is supposed to be one of the top notch tourist attractions in the area, but given that my experience was strongly affected by the weather, I cannot give it 5 out of 5 stars. Also while it is nice that there are some things to see on the platforms on the two mountains, it would have been nice if they have more and better things for tourists in those platforms.
Allen Lin - 2 months ago

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4 Star Rating If you are afraid of heights, don't even try it. Otherwise definitely recommend this scenic attraction if you are in Rio.There's several options for gelato, food and drinks, along with helicopter tours. Plenty of spots for pictures of Rio, especially during the night.
Hilary Droefs - 3 months ago

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Directions

Metro and Bus Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Line 1 - Orange or Line 2 GreenBotafogo4 Minutes

How to get to Pão de Açúcar e bondinho by Metro and Bus

Take the Metro to Botafogo Station. Take the Rua Voluntarios da Patria exit and catch Bus #513 (have exact change ready for the extra fare) at the stop northbound on Rua Nelson Mandela just south of the corner of Rua Voluntarios da Patria (across the street from the southern most Metro exit). Ride the bus to the 3rd and last stop on Av. Pasteur. Exit the bus and continue walking east on Av. Pasteur going to your right when you get to the parking area and you will see the entrance to the gondola straight ahead.

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