Sugar Loaf cable car — Attraction in Região Geográfica Imediata do Rio de Janeiro

Updated Review of the Cable Car Park (Sugarloaf) in Rio de Janeiro

Visiting Sugarloaf Mountain during Carnival week in Rio de Janeiro was an experience I had eagerly anticipated, but the logistical challenges and inefficiencies at the Cable Car Park turned what should have been a highlight of my trip into a frustrating ordeal. While the panoramic views from Sugarloaf are undeniably spectacular, the process of getting there and back was riddled with unnecessary complications and delays.

The first hurdle was at the park entrance, where the lines were excruciatingly long—something I expected during Carnival week. However, the situation was made worse by the ground-mounted scanning machines used to check tickets. These machines were far from user-friendly. For those of us with digital tickets, the brightness on our phones had to be turned up to the highest level for the scanner to read the QR code. This was not communicated in advance, leading to confusion and delays as visitors fumbled with their phones, trying to adjust settings while holding up the line. A simple sign or announcement explaining this requirement could have saved a lot of time and frustration. Even better, equipping staff with handheld scanners would have made the process infinitely smoother, especially for digital tickets.

Once inside, the inefficiencies continued. After scanning our tickets at the entrance, we had to scan them again to board the cable car. This redundant step felt like an unnecessary delay, especially when the park was packed with visitors. Why not streamline the process into a single scan upon entry? It’s hard to understand why this wasn’t already in place, given the high volume of visitors.

The cable car ride to Sugarloaf is divided into two stages, which is a unique feature but could be better managed. The lack of clear signage was a major issue. There were no arrows or directions on the ground to guide visitors to the second stage of the cable car, leading to confusion and disorganization. A few well-placed signs or markings could have made the transition between stages much smoother.

The real nightmare began when it was time to descend from Sugarloaf. The ride back was an absolute test of patience. With the massive crowds, we waited in line for nearly two hours just to board the cable car back to the first stage. After reaching the first stage, we had to wait in yet another long line to ride the cable car back to the starting point. This two-hour ordeal was exhausting and frustrating, especially after a long day of exploring. The process felt archaic and poorly designed for handling large crowds, which is surprising for such a popular tourist attraction.

The combination of inefficient ticket scanning, redundant processes, poor signage, and inadequate crowd management made the entire experience feel like a test of endurance rather than an enjoyable outing. It’s clear that the current system is not equipped to handle peak visitation periods like Carnival week. Implementing timed tickets, increasing the frequency of cable cars, or even adding more staff to manage the lines could significantly improve the experience. Additionally, replacing the ground-mounted scanners with handheld devices or improving the existing scanners to be more user-friendly would go a long way in reducing delays.

In summary, while Sugarloaf Mountain itself is a breathtaking destination and a must-see in Rio de Janeiro, the experience of getting there and back was marred by inefficiency, long waits, and poor organization. The outdated systems and lack of visitor-friendly processes overshadowed the natural beauty of the attraction. I hope the management takes these issues seriously and invests in improvements to make the experience more enjoyable for future visitors. Until then, I would advise anyone planning to visit during peak times to prepare for a long and arduous process—and don’t forget to turn your phone brightness all the way up...

OK first off Sugar Loaf itself is stunning and the skyline it creates is amazing. Enjoy seeing it from the ground and from the first cable car stop. The downside is you'll have a loooooong time to enjoy that view. The only way to describe the bondinho is chaos. Huge queues with no rhyme or reason to who goes next, standing stationary for half an hour at a time. I understand that skip the queue tickets go first, but when it's half an hour between letting anyone through, the skip the line queue is so big that no one else EVER gets through, or just a few at a time. We visited in winter and waited like an hour and a half. Can't imagine what it's like at the height of the season. I bought tickets in advance online and still had the wait. If you don't do that, you'll queue an hour and half at last to join ANOTHER queue to buy tickets. To then join another queue to get on a cable car. So buy in advance to safe some of the hassle.

At sunset, the top of sugarloaf is so crammed with people it's almost pointless. To be honest I would recommend going up the top an hour or two before sunset to enjoy the views, then come down before the Instagram brigade go up for their sunset posing. You'll get a great view of the sunset from the mid level cable car stop, and you can see sugarloaf itself as well. Enjoy the sunset there. HOWEVER...

As we tried to enjoy the beauty of the sunset behind the mountains and landmarks, a ludicrously placed DJ was thumping out dance music so loud you had to shout to be heard. Talk about the wrong vibes for the setting. This could be a beautiful spot for a relaxing romantic sunset in a truly stunning city, reduced to club 18-30 in ibiza. Really sad. I don't know if this is normal or we were unlucky but it ruined the experience and cost of the ticket.

All in all, expect to spend 4x longer waiting than doing anything and bring earplugs. The potential for something really beautiful and special (which gains it the 3*) ruined by some ludicrous marketing decisions and...

The Sugarloaf Cable Car in Rio de Janeiro is a truly iconic experience, and here's a breakdown of what makes it so memorable: Key Highlights: Breathtaking Views: The primary draw is undoubtedly the panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro. From the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain, you'll witness stunning vistas of Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Christ the Redeemer, Guanabara Bay, and the city skyline. It's a photographer's dream. The Cable Car Experience: The journey itself is a highlight. The cable car, or "bondinho," ascends in two stages, first to Morro da Urca and then to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain. The glass-walled cars provide unobstructed views, and the ride is smooth and stable. Accessibility: The cable car makes the incredible views accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. Atmosphere: There are places to eat and drink on the mountains, so you can enjoy refreshments while taking in the views. Things to Consider: Crowds: As a popular tourist attraction, the cable car can get crowded, especially during peak season and at sunset. Consider visiting during off-peak hours or purchasing fast-track tickets to minimize wait times. Cost: The cable car ride is a paid attraction, so factor it into your budget. Weather: Clear weather is essential for optimal views. Check the forecast before your visit. Overall: The Sugarloaf Cable Car is a must-do experience for anyone visiting Rio de Janeiro. The combination of stunning views, a unique cable car ride, and a vibrant atmosphere makes it a truly unforgettable attraction. In essence, whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, the Sugarloaf Cable Car offers a perspective of Rio that you won't...