Corcovado — Attraction in Região Geográfica Imediata do Rio de Janeiro

This Mother Nature´s Monumental Masterpiece represents a big pillar for my life as a traveler, since it was one of the first trip I did in the majestic Rio De Janeiro.

Rio has a special place in my heart, not only because it is beyond beautiful and populated by the nicest people you could ever meet, but also because was my first journey outside Europe. I still remember, the day before leaving for Brazil, the excitement going through my body, all the things that I've heard about this amazing place were about to become reality!

Here I am, I just landed in Rio! Took a taxi that would have brought me to Ipanema Beach, where I had my hostel booked, watching the fantastic landscapes that the city has to offer and BOOM, there it is, the famous Christ the Redeemer, standing with his open arms, at the top of the CORCOVADO MOUNTAIN.

Once at the hostel, I was incredibly tired, but it didn't matter to me, I was too excited, so I immediately left to go to explore Ipanema Beach and Corcovado....all by foot, with the heat hitting each single cell of my body and the high humidity making me sweat like I was inside a sauna. That was in October by the way.

I'm at the foot of the Corcovado Mountain, can see the statue of the Christ up there. Me, together with other great people that I've met at the hostel, are about to start the tour. We begin the long walk and, right from the beginning, we found ourselves inside a gigantic forest where the noises of the city are mixed up with the forests inhabitants singing. On the way we met a bunch of little cute, lovely monkeys. SO AWESOME! By the way, apparently Rio has the biggest urban forest of any other city in the world!

Our original plan was to reach the statue (at ca. 800 meters above the sea level), but due to the heat, humidity and the fact that I didn't really sleep for something like 2 days, we decided to stop at a very nice panorama point, not that far from the top, chilling out and taking pictures. The picture where I'm holding the Christ on my hand was takes from that spot.

Every time that Corcovado pops up into my mind my soul elevates itself to a superior state...

The ONLY nice thing I can say about my (failed) attempts to see Corcovado is that, on our first attempt to get tickets, the ticket attendant advised against going that day due to poor visibility. I guess that's something. We then took it upon ourselves to buy scheduled tickets for the following day, which would have taken us to the top via the train. We arrived promptly the next morning to the site to be informed that the train was not working (which apparently occurs regularly). So we then had to wait in three lines: first to get into a van (not free) to take us to the ticket line, then in the ticket line (where we could ONLY use debit cards or cash - thanks for heads up - oh yeah, didn't get one), then in the plaza near the top where we were informed the wait would be approximately 2.5 hours. Our timed tickets were null and void, we were informed, given the train was broken (thanks for the heads up - oh yeah, didn't get one). Of course, the trail from the plaza to the base of the statue is just over a mile long, so why not walk up? Well, we were strongly advised against that by a security guard, who said it wasn't safe; that we ran the risk of getting robbed. Apparently, making things work, and customer service in general, are just not priorities in Rio. We were later informed that the current Evangelical mayor in Rio is anti-Corcovado (which is strongly linked to the Catholic Church) and anti-Carnaval (Repent, sinners!). That makes a lot of sense, given they're two of the biggest money makers in Rio and central to the culture. But then, little in Rio makes much sense or functions well. And it's a very smart move on the part of the mayor to divest in these cultural icons given that Rio and Brazil, in general, are doing so well these days that they can afford to alienate tourists (?!?!). As a result of dealing with this aggravation (among others), we came up with a humorous saying: "There's ridiculous, then there's Rio-diculous." It sounds better in Portuguese:...

Corcovado is a famous mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, known for its iconic Christ the Redeemer statue (Cristo Redentor in Portuguese).

Corcovado is located in the Tijuca Forest National Park in the city of Rio de Janeiro. It stands 710 meters (2,330 feet) above sea level.

At the summit of Corcovado, you'll find the Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This towering statue of Jesus Christ with outstretched arms is an iconic symbol of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil.

Corcovado offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city of Rio de Janeiro, including its famous beaches, mountains, and landmarks like Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar) and Copacabana Beach.

Visitors can reach the summit of Corcovado by taking the Corcovado Rack Railway (known as Trem do Corcovado), a scenic train that travels through the Tijuca Forest and takes you to the top. There are also hiking trails for those who prefer to trek to the summit.

The Christ the Redeemer statue and Corcovado are not only tourist attractions but also hold cultural and religious significance. The statue was inaugurated in 1931 and is considered a symbol of Christianity and peace.

The Tijuca Forest National Park, where Corcovado is located, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest urban forest in the world.

At the base of Corcovado, there is a visitors center with information, shops, and facilities for tourists.

Many visitors choose to go to Corcovado early in the morning or during sunset to witness stunning views and experience the changing light over the city.

Corcovado is a must-visit destination for those traveling to Rio de Janeiro, offering not only incredible views but also a chance to appreciate the natural beauty and cultural significance of this iconic mountain and its Christ the...