The Complete Guide To The Christ The Redeemer

VISITING CHRIST THE REDEEMER?

You are in the right place, as this is the complete guide to the Christ the Redeemer statue. As one of the most iconic images of Brazil, Christ the Redeemer is on almost everyone’s bucket list when they come to visit Rio de Janeiro.

This Rio Statue of Jesus, also known as Cristo Redentor Rio de Janeiro, is an imposing monumental in its own right. Yet, the real joy of going there lies in the panoramic views overlooking the city and its extraordinary coastline.

To get the most out of your trip to Christ the Redeemer, here is a complete guide to visiting this must-see landmark.

So, Christ Redeemer how to get there? Well, There are four ways to get up to the Christ the Redeemer statue – by tour, van, by train, or hike your way up.

Guide to the Christ the Redeemer

Christ the Redeemer: By Tour

Opting for a guided tour is, without a doubt, the most hassle-free method to get to Christ the Redeemer. Most tour companies provide the added convenience of a pick-up service directly from your hotel, saving you the trouble of navigating Rio’s transportation system.

Not only does this method provide an effortless journey, but it often enhances your experience by incorporating other notable sights into the itinerary. This tour, for example, will take you to Christ and the famous Selarón Steps, while this one is a Skip the Line to Christ Redeemer tour that includes a visit to SugarLoaf and a barbecue lunch. The Christ the Redeemer tour cost depends on what you want to do.

In the end, choosing a tour allows for a comfortable and comprehensive exploration of the main sites in Rio. If you want to read more about Christ the Redeemer tours, I’ve written a whole article about it here.

Christ the Redeemer: By Train

The Corcovado train (or bondinho as it’s known in Portuguese) slowly ambles up Corcovado mountain through the Atlantic forest, allowing visitors to experience the largest urban rainforest in the world in close proximity.

To take the train, go to the Trem do Corcovado station at the base of the Corcovado peak. To get there, you can either take a UBER or the metrô to Largo do Machado, then the Integration Bus (Ônibus de integração) in the direction of Cosme Velho. The exact address is: R. Cosme Velho, 513 – Cosme Velho

Jump off in front of the São Judas Tadeu church, and the Trem do Corcovado or Corcovado Train station is right there. The train leaves every 20 or 30 minutes and you don’t need to schedule a set time to go.

The ride up takes about 20 minutes. The train leaves the train station between 8:20 am and 5 pm every day, and the last ride back down is between 6:30 pm and 7 pm.

You can buy tickets at the train station, but queues can get big. If you hate queues you have a couple of options. You can buy a ticket online at the Trem do Corcovado’s main site or buy it through GetYourGuide. You can also book a tour like this Rio: Christ Redeemer by Train & City Highlights Morning Tour.

⚠️ Be aware that if you do buy your Christ the Redeemer tickets beforehand, you’ll have to pick a specific time to go up by train. You MUST go up at that specific time. For example, if your ticket says 9:00 am, you cannot show up at 11:00 am to try to get on the train. You should also arrive at least 15 minutes beforehand.

Guide to the Christ the Redeemer

Christ the Redeemer Cog Train Ticket Prices

The prices include the train up, back down, and the entrance to Christ the Redeemer. So how much does it cost to visit Christ the Redeemer? Be aware the Christ the Redeemer tickets price can be different during high and low season.

• For adults (including students) – R$ 93,50 (USD$19.96)
• Children between 5 and 11 – R$64 (USD$13.05)
• Seniors more than 60 years – R$32 (USD$6.52)
• Children under 4 – free

Guide to the Christ the Redeemer

Christ the Redeemer: By Van

The official air conditioned van leaves from three points in the city, which makes getting around that little bit easier.

The points are at (1) Praca do Lido in Copacabana, (2) next to the metro at Lago do Machado and at (3) Città America in Barra da Tijuca. You can buy the tickets at the bus points (which includes the way there, the way back, and the entrance for the Christ), but it’s worth buying online – the queues have been known to be up to an hour and a half during high season.

⭐️ You can take a taxi or non-official van (the non-official van costs about R$30 and leaves from Cosme Velho) to the Visitor Center, then take an official van the rest of the way (they’re the only ones that are allowed to do that last stretch up to the Christ).

Copacabana Location

The vans leave from Praça do Lido at posto 2 (Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana between Rua Ronald de Carvalho and Rua Belfort Roxo). They leave every 15 minutes, and the non-stop route takes about 45 minutes to arrive with the usual traffic.

The van does pick-ups in Copacabana every day between 8 am and 5 pm. The final trip back down Corcovado is between 6 pm and 6:30 pm.

Largo do Machado

The vans leave from Praça do Largo do Machado in front of the church and happen every 15 minutes. It will take about 30 minutes in all to get from there to the entrance to the Christ. The van does pick-ups at Lago do Machado every day between 8 am and 5 pm. The final trip back down Corcovado is between 6 pm and 6:30 pm.

Guide to the Christ the Redeemer

Christ the Redeemer: By Foot

I’m saving the best for last, as the hike up Corcovado to the Christ is definitely a personal favorite! I love being surrounded by the Atlantic forest and the cute little monkeys. Plus, it’s a trail that starts at the beautiful Parque Lage (tip: stop by there for a pre-hike breakfast).

This trail is FREE, easy to do, and can definitely be done independently. HOWEVER, over the years, there have been multiple reports of muggings on the hike going up with groups of robbers taking mobile phones and other items. In 2017 the trail was closed, and in 2019 another incident happened.

Whilst it is more likely nothing will happen, these things do happen. So it is best to never do the hike alone and leave all belongings of value at home. In the worst-case scenario, if you do get approached by criminals, hand over any belongings calmly and always cooperate. This information is not to scare you! It is simply informative of all possibilities – remember, knowledge is power.

Christ the Redeemer Ticket Prices

If you do the hike, you can buy your ticket for the Christ there (expect queues in the high season!) or on the official Christ the Redeemer Official website.

BE AWARE: If you buy the ticket at the entrance to the Christ, make sure you take enough cash as you can ONLY pay in cash there, they don’t accept cards.

• Adults – R$55.50 (USD$11.30)
• Seniors over 60 and children under 11 are free.

🌴 Regardless of how you reach the top of Corcovado, you’ll go through the Tijuca Rainforest or Floresta Tijuca. At 12.4 square miles (3,212 hectares), this forest is one of the world’s largest urban rainforests.

Guide to the Christ the Redeemer

When to Go to Cristo Rio de Janeiro

As this place is all about the views, visibility is key, so try going either before 8:30 am or after 3:30 pm when there are fewer crowds, less heat, better visibility, and less haze. If it is cloudy or rainy, do NOT go, as the experience can be ruined if all you see from above are clouds.

The busiest times of the year are around Christmas, New Year, Carnival, holidays, and weekends.

Guide to the Christ the Redeemer

Christ the Redeemer Brazil: History and Facts

Standing tall atop Corcovado Mountain, Christ the Redeemer in Rio is a sight to behold. Dominating the cityscape of Rio de Janeiro, the statue is an iconic symbol of Brazil. Erected in the Tijuca Forest National Park, the location of Christ the Redeemer offers stunning panoramic views of the city.

The question of who built the Rio Jesus Statue is often met with intrigue. The statue was the result of a collaborative effort, with French-Polish sculptor Paul Landowski designing the figure and Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa overseeing the construction.

The monument was built over a period of nine years, from 1922 to 1931. Despite the challenging terrain and complex construction process, the dedication of the team resulted in one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world.

A testament to its monumental scale, many often wonder, “How tall is the Christ the Redeemer?” The statue stands an impressive 30 meters high, not including its 8-meter pedestal. Including the pedestal, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil reaches a height of 38 meters.

Guide to the Christ the Redeemer

Guide to the Christ the Redeemer: FAQs

On the other hand, visiting in the late afternoon or early evening allows you to catch the breathtaking sunset over Rio de Janeiro. Do bear in mind that this can also be a popular time, so it might be a bit more crowded.

Final Thoughts: The Guide to The Christ the Redeemer

This travel guide aims to provide essential information for anyone planning a visit to the iconic statue of Jesus in Rio, a monument recognized worldwide. The statue Rio is so proud of, known as Christ the Redeemer or Cristo Corcovado, stands as a testament to Brazil’s cultural and religious history.

Imposing and awe-inspiring, the Christ statue Brazil showcases to the world is more than just a testament of faith; it is a symbol of the welcoming spirit of the Brazilian people. With arms wide open, Jesus in Rio overlooks the city and its inhabitants, casting a protective gaze over the vibrant and diverse cityscape.

There is a reason the Jesus statue in Rio holds such a renowned status amongst world monuments. The breathtaking views, the cultural significance, and the feeling of unity it inspires make it a must-see on any traveler’s itinerary. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a first-time tourist, the Cristo Corcovado experience is truly unforgettable.

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