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
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: YesAddress: 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 out of 5
Very good attraction. It gets really busy so be prepared to be pushing and shoving. Everybody is trying to get the best spot to record the videos. They do have nice foods and souvenir shop on top of the mountain. There is always entertainment going on like live music.
Mohammed Malik - 2 months ago
We came here early to avoid the long line. A glass cable car carried us to the top of iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain, actually expect to ride second cable car to real mountain top, which is a symbol of the city, in ideal conditions, I supposed to see the stunning panorama of the beaches, Corcovado Mountain, downtown Rio, and Guanabara Bay, etc. actually what you can see is by chance, the mist of cloud always come across to make you wonder, and it's hard to take a good picture of the stunning panoramic view of bay. There are squirrel-like primates called marmosets which can be spotted near the cable car stations and trails on the mountain , a species native to eastern Brazil. The tourists are discouraged to feed them.
Zemin Hu - 2 months ago
One of the places you must visit as a tourist in Rio. The journey to the peak is in two stages, both via cable cars. The queues move quickly and the journeys are smooth. Preferential access is available for wheelchair users.
The primary reason for visiting is the views, although my visit was on a very misty day and opportunities were limited.
There are plenty of toilets and places for refreshments. Also upmarket souvenir stalls. Still worth visiting on a misty day!
David Simkins - 2 months ago
Beautiful! It’s a stop you cannot miss in Rio.
I loved it!
Carolina.H - a month ago
Sugarloaf in Rio offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city, beaches, and mountains, absolutely worth the visit. The cable car ride is smooth and scenic. It can get very crowded, especially during peak hours, so try to go early or on a weekday. There are a few shops and places to grab a snack at the top, but prices are a bit high. Still, the overall experience is unforgettable and a must-do while in Rio!
Russo Gasimov - 7 months ago
Directions
| Metro and Bus Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 - Orange or Line 2 Green | Botafogo | 4 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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Photo Gallery
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Gondola approaching the top of Sugarloaf Mountain with Rio in the background cc licensed photo by LASZLO ILYES -
Looking up at Sugarloaf from the lower lookout on Morro-da-Urca cc licensed photo by Cyro Silva -
Looking northwest toward Morro Cara de Cão from Sugarloaf cc licensed photo by Robert Cutts -
Photo Credit: dgjarvis10@gmail.com - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Rodrigo_Soldon - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Rodrigo_Soldon - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: nan palmero - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: nan palmero - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Rodrigo_Soldon - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Rodrigo_Soldon - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Rodrigo_Soldon - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: nan palmero - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: nan palmero - cc license via Flickr
