How to Get to Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro

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Rio de Janeiro is full of breathtaking views, but if you only have time for one, it has to be Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar). Perched at the edge of Guanabara Bay, it’s where ocean, mountains, and city meet — and the question every traveler asks is: how do you actually get there?

I’ve been to Rio five times now, and Sugarloaf is the spot I’ve returned to on two of those trips — first in January 2020 during my very first trip, and most recently in August 2025 with my husband, siblings, and friends. Each visit reminded me why this is such an essential Rio experience, and I’ve learned a lot about the best ways to reach the top, whether by cable car, hiking to Morro da Urca, or a guided tour.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to get to Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro: how to reach the entrance, the pros and cons of the cable car vs. hiking, when to go for the best views, and a few insider tips I’ve picked up along the way.

Sunset over Rio de Janeiro from Sugarloaf Mountain — *view from Sugarloaf Mountain*

Table of Contents

Best Ways to Get to Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro

Regardless of whether you’re taking the cable car or hiking up, your starting point will be the Praia Vermelha region in the Urca neighborhood, where you’ll see a beach with a little square around it.

I would recommend just Ubering to get here.

If you wanted to take public transportation, the closest subway station goes to the Botafogo neighborhood, a couple of miles away from Sugarloaf Mountain, and then you’d have to take a bus, which I don’t suggest using in Rio due to safety, and I personally never use. Otherwise, it would be a 35-minute walk or so from the Botafogo subway station.

If you’re taking the cable car, the address for the entrance is Parque Bondinho, Av. Pasteur, 520 – Urca, Rio de Janeiro.

If you’re hiking, you’ll want to just start at the beach, Praia Vermelha (more details on that in a bit).

Using the Cable Car

Two cable cars lead from Praia Vermelha, a gorgeous beach at the foot of Sugarloaf, up to the peak.

The first stops at Morro da Urca, another mountain where you’ll also get amazing panoramic views of the city, from the Guanabara Bay to the Christ the Redeemer statue. Then, the second cable car takes you to Sugarloaf.

I took the cable car both times I’ve visited Sugarloaf, and I think it’s 100% worth it.

It can be a little scary if you’re afraid of heights, and it doesn’t feel super steady, which can be a tiny bit nervewracking. But each ride is only three minutes long, so it honestly goes by super fast, and the feeling of sailing above Rio’s amazing landscapes is unforgettable.

(Don’t worry though, they’ve been open since 1912, and the current system has been operating since the ‘70s. There have only been two incidents during that entire time — in 1951, and in 2000, but no one has ever been injured or died).

Cable car going to Sugarloaf Mountain from Morro da Urca, in Rio de Janeiro. — *The cable cars*

Cable car going up to Morro da Urca in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. — *The cable cars*

Booking your cable car ticket

🚃 The cable car currently runs from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., last boarding going up at 6:30 p.m., and Friday to Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the last boarding at 7:30 p.m. Cable cars run every 20 minutes.

🚃 Tickets are currently $195 BRL for foreigners — or $36 USD, at the time of writing.

I strongly suggest booking your ticket ahead, so you don’t get stuck waiting in line to take the first car.

(You’ll still likely end up waiting a bit to take the second car up, and then coming back down, especially if you go in the evening, near closing time. I waited for around 20 minutes to come back down, when I last went.)

You don’t need to book too far in advance — when I went last, I just booked the tickets the morning of, with plans to visit in the late afternoon.

But if you’re visiting during a busier time, like December through March, it may not be a bad idea to book earlier (if you book directly through the website, you can reschedule as long as it’s 24 hours in advance).

Although tickets are available through tour booking platforms like Viator, in this case, I think it’s best to buy your tickets directly from this website.

With Viator, as well as this GetYourGuide option (which costs a little more since it apparently includes a ‘fast pass”), you’ll be sent a reservation number/voucher instead of the actual ticket, so you’ll just end up having to wait in line at the park to get the actual tickets, which kind of defeats the purpose of booking ahead, in my opinion.

The one instance when I would suggest booking with Viator or GetYourGuide is if you’re interested in going with a guide, or combining your visit to Sugarloaf with other Rio attractions. It’s what I did my first time in Rio when I was visited solo.

(If you’d rather book with a guide, this six-stop tour is closest to the one I did and includes lunch, and has over 4,000 positive ratings!)

View of buildings and boats in bay, from Morro da Urca, the mountain in front of Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro. — *Morro da Urca view*

Hiking Sugarloaf (Morro da Urca)

Here’s something a lot of people don’t realize: you can’t actually hike all the way to the top of Sugarloaf. What you can do is hike up to Morro da Urca, the smaller mountain where the first cable car stops. From there, you’ll need to either take the second cable car or rock climb if you want to reach Sugarloaf’s peak.

I haven’t done the hike myself — but my husband (a Rio local) has done it several times, and he swears it’s a fun and fairly easy climb if you’re used to hiking. From what he’s described, here’s what to expect:

Starting point: Praia Vermelha (the little beach at Sugarloaf’s base). If you’re facing the water, walk left until you see the sign for Pista Cláudio Coutinho, a paved seaside path.
Trail entrance: About five minutes in, you’ll spot the trail for Morro da Urca.
Distance & time: Roughly a mile long, taking around 40 minutes uphill. It’s shaded and not too technical, but it can feel steep if you’re not used to hiking.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate — doable for most travelers without mobility issues.

There are no entrance fees, so if you’re skipping the cable car, it will be totally free.

Once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of Guanabara Bay and Christ the Redeemer. Honestly, the view from Morro da Urca is so stunning that many hikers are happy to head back down from there, which will take just 20 minutes or so.

🌞 Insider tip: After sunset, the trail usually closes — and while some people say staff will let you take the cable car down for free, that’s getting stricter. Don’t count on it. If you hike up late, be prepared to buy a ticket for the ride down.

If you do want to get up to Sugarloaf, you’ll then have to take the cable car. You would have to pay full price for the cable car ticket, even if you’re not taking all four cable car rides.

This is definitely on my list for the next time I’m in Rio. But since I was visiting with some friends and family the last time I went, I wanted them to experience the cable car!

Sunset view of mountains, buildings, and bay with boats surrounding Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro. — *view from Morro da Urca*

Rock climbing to Sugarloaf

To get up to Sugarloaf Mountain without the cable car, you’d have to rock climb.

While I don’t think I’ll be doing this any time soon (or ever lol), if I were to do it, this looks like a cool tour option where you can do it in a safer way, with an experienced guide.

It includes the cable car trip back down! With its really high reviews, it seriously looks like an awesome option for adventure-seekers.

Taking a Sugarloaf Mountain Rio de Janeiro tour

Here’s what stood out to me:

Convenience: The tour bus picked me up right at my hostel in Lapa, so I didn’t have to worry about navigating Rio’s public transport or calling Ubers.
No ticket stress: Entry fees were included, so I never had to wait in the ticket line at Sugarloaf.
Bonus sightseeing: Having Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf in one day was a huge time-saver — especially on a short trip.
The vibe: I was traveling solo then, so it was really nice to get to spend the day with a friendly group.

Would I book a tour again? Probably not — now that I know Rio well, I prefer to visit Sugarloaf on my own. But if you’re short on time, traveling solo, or just want everything handled for you, a tour can be worth it.

👉 The closest match I’ve found to what I did is six-stop tour, which includes both Sugarloaf and Christ the Redeemer, plus a stop for lunch. If you want a full Rio highlight day without the stress of planning, this is the easiest way to do it.

A woman in a denim jacket and a long skirt, holding a camera, smiles in front of the landscapes of Rio de Janeiro from the first level of Sugarloaf Mountain. You can see mountains, buildings, and the start of sunset behind her. — *view from Morro da Urca (left) and Sugarloaf Mountain (right)*

FAQs about visiting Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro

Is it better to take the cable car or hike?

If it’s in your budget, I recommend the cable car — it’s part of the Sugarloaf experience, quick (just a few minutes per ride), and the views are unbeatable. Hiking to Morro da Urca can be a fun, free alternative, but keep in mind you can’t hike all the way to the Sugarloaf peak.

How long should I plan for a visit to Sugarloaf?

Set aside two to three hours, especially if you’re visiting around sunset when lines for the second cable car can get long. If you’re on a guided tour, plan for half a day since you’ll likely combine it with other attractions like Christ the Redeemer.

When’s the best time to visit?

Late afternoon into sunset is magical — the light over Rio is incredible, and you’ll see the city both in daylight and lit up at night. Just know this is also peak time for crowds, so arrive early enough to catch the first cable car up without too much waiting.

Definitely check the forecast before booking, because you’ll for sure want to go when it’s clear weather.

The last time I went, there was a literal cloud wrapped around the actual Sugarloaf Mountain peak, so from the very top, you couldn’t see a thing, which was a bit spooky, to be honest. The view from the first stop was amazing though, so it was still worth it, but if it was much cloudier, that definitely would’ve taken away from the experience.

Can I visit Sugarloaf Mountain with kids or older travelers?

Yes — the cable cars are stroller- and wheelchair-friendly, and the ride itself is smooth. The only challenge might be the lines, so booking tickets in advance and arriving early can make it much easier.

View of Christ the Redeemer in the distance, with mountains, buildings, and bay, at sunset, from Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro. — *View of Christ the Redeemer from Morro da Urca*

What to bring to Sugarloaf Mountain

If you’re hiking:
- definitely wear proper shoes
- bring water!
Your ticket QR code (you’ll need it every time you board a cable car)
Your camera, if you have one. Although I don’t often feel safe using a giant digital camera in Rio, touristy places like Sugarloaf are the exception. And it’s so beautiful, you’ll definitely need to get at least a few photos!
If you’re visiting during the wintertime, I’d recommend a light jacket, especially if you’re visiting around sunset. I was definitely glad I had one during my most recent trip — Get my full Rio packing list here!
Money if you’d like to check out the shops or places to eat on both the Morro da Urca and Sugarloaf levels

Is visiting Sugarloaf Mountain worth it?

100% yes!! I know it’s one of the more pricey things to do in Rio de Janeiro, but it’s really such a special experience that you can only do here.

If you’re torn between Sugarloaf and Christ the Redeemer — Rio’s other top attraction that costs a similar amount, I would go with Sugarloaf.

Opinions differ on which has the better view, but I’m team Sugarloaf. From Sugarloaf, you get a seriously unparalleled view of all that makes Rio de Janeiro just so beautiful — from the ocean, to the mountains, to the cityscape, plus the Christ the Redeemer. And because it’s a larger space, it feels less crowded and overwhelming than the Christ.

Plus, there’s often entertainment like a DJ set if you go around sunset — when I was there last, there was a samba performance going on.

So whether you just have a couple days in Rio or a whole week or more, it’s something I’d strongly suggest putting at the top of your list. I hope that this guide answered any questions you may have had, so you can just focus on being wowed!

Planning your Rio de Janeiro trip

So now that you’re ready to visit Sugarloaf Mountain, you may be wondering what else you need to add to your Rio de Janeiro itinerary.

Over the course of my several trips to Rio, I’ve compiled the best must-visit spots, from restaurants and bars, to markets and beaches. You can get it all for free by just dropping your first name and email address below — the curated Google Map will be sent straight to your inbox.