Ultimate Guide to Visiting Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro
First of all, we will start with the basics.
How do you get to Sugarloaf Mountain?
Sugarloaf Mountain is located in the Urca neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro and the easiest way to get there is definitely by taking an Uber or Taxi.
If you want to go to Sugarloaf Mountain by public transport you will have to take the Metro to Botafogo Station and then catch a connecting bus (513 or 107) to Urca. There are also several more buses that stop near Urca, including lines 511 and 512 if you live close to those lines and dont need a Metro first.
Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car Experience
The famous Sugarloaf Cable Car takes you to the summit in two stages:
First Stop: Morro da Urca (220m)
The first cable car ride takes you to Morro da Urca, where you can explore scenic viewpoints and grab a snack. There are definitely more food options here than at the next stop so make sure to have something to eat if you are very hungry. The queues up to the next station might also take a while.
Second Stop: Sugarloaf Mountain (396m)
The second cable car ascends to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, offering 360-degree views of Rio de Janeiro, including Guanabara Bay, Christ the Redeemer, and Copacabana Beach.
Pro tip: Buy tickets online to avoid long lines! We even bought them online while standing in the queue and it saved us a lot of time. The queues get pretty insane. This is actually one of the few places I would’ve bought a VIP ticket to get in front of the line if I had known how much time I would spend in line before I bought my ticket.
Best Time to Visit Sugarloaf Mountain
The best time to visit Sugarloaf Mountain depends on what you want to see:
For the Best Views:
Morning (8 AM - 10 AM): More often clear skies and fewer crowds.
Late Afternoon (4 PM - 6 PM): Perfect lighting for photography.
For Sunset Lovers:
Arrive by 5 PM to secure a good spot. Sunset views from Sugarloaf are absolutely breathtaking.
Other things to know before your visit to Sugarloaf Mountain
Sunset party
I didn’t do this myself, but I know that for sunset there is also a DJ playing and that there’s quite the party up at Sugarloaf Mountain. So if that’s your thing I would definitely check that out.
Helicopter Tour
For a luxury experience, take a helicopter ride for an unforgettable aerial view of Sugarloaf Mountain and Rio de Janeiro. You can book this directly at the first stop of the cable car or book in advance here. I do recommend booking in advance to make sure you get a spot, but no need to book too far ahead. Remember that the weather in Rio is pretty changing and I would rather recommend waiting and booking for a day you know the weather will be good so you can truly enjoy the views.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Sugarloaf Mountain is one of the highlights of any trip to Rio de Janeiro, but plan your visit wisely and think about the weather. Don’t plan it to far in advance and rather book your tickets when you know that the weather will permit you some cloud free views!