This iconic statue of Jesus Christ, located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil has become a globally recognized symbol of Christianity and Brazilian culture. In this article, we document the step-by-step way to visit this attraction.
To reach the statue, you need to cross into the Tijuca National Park, which is a lush tropical rainforest located in the city of Rio. The statue itself is situated atop the Corcovado Mountain within this forested area.
We highly recommend picking a travel / tour operator that can pick you up at your hotel or a main pick-up point. Pick one from Viator or AirB&B experiences. They arrange everything.
For this trip, they will take you through the rainforest and then closer to the Corcovado Mountain. Upon arriving at the base of the mountain, you can opt for a shuttle bus, which will transport you to the midpoint.
Even this midpoint offers wonderful vistas. You can stretch your legs, use the bathroom, check out souvenir shops and eateries.
At this midpoint, your guide will buy tickets to visit the statue.
Then, you will board a second bus that will get you closer to the summit. Once at this second level, your guide will share some history about the statue and tell you about the two options for reaching the pinnacle: a 250-step staircase or convenient escalators, that cater to visitors of all fitness levels.
If you can, choose to climb the steps - It is not that hard especially if you are not pressed for time. And you can take in the views as you climb.
As you can see, the views are nothing short of jaw-dropping!
You can take a few stops along the way - At the beginning of the climb, in the middle and at the restaurant at the very top.
When you get to the very top, you may hear the sounds of a helicopter. Some people choose a helicopter tour that offers aerial views of Christ the Redeemer and the surrounding landscape. More expensive, of course. But if this interests you, explore a Viator option like this one.
Despite the throngs of visitors, you will find that the atmosphere near the statue remains reverent, with the statue's rear housing a chapel frequented by devout locals.
From the summit, a panoramic vista unfolds, showcasing the sprawling expanse of Rio de Janeiro below. Observing the city from this vantage point is quite the experience, with the dynamic interplay of light and shadow.
On sunny days, the sunlight illuminates the statue in all its glory, offering ample opportunities for stunning snapshots. If you have clouds in the forecast, reconsider and plan another day for your visit.
Christ the Redeemer, standing at a towering height of 30 meters (98 feet), is an enduring symbol of faith and Christianity for the people of Brazil. This height measurement may vary depending on whether it includes the height of the pedestal on which the statue stands. With the pedestal, the total height may be approximately 38 meters (124 feet).
The statue is so tall, that you would need to get creative with your shots.
You can also climb down some stairs to get your Instagram shot. We had to take an iconic shot with our hands spread out. That said, it was almost impossible to avoid the crowds.
The commonly shared interpretation is that the outstretched arms of Christ the Redeemer symbolize welcome and embrace, conveying a message of love and acceptance to all who visit Rio de Janeiro.
The statue was designed by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa and sculpted by French artist Paul Landowski, with collaboration from several other Brazilian engineers and artists. In 2007, Christ the Redeemer was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its cultural and historical significance to Brazil and the world.
Once you are done, you would take the same route back. This shuttle would take you to the midpoint and then you take the second shuttle to get to the base.
Pro Tip 1:
Christ the Redeemer is a big tourist attraction - too many people! While the area feels relatively safe, vigilance with belongings is paramount amidst the bustling crowds. Keep valuables secure, especially when capturing photographs. As suggested a few times in this article, consider joining a guided tour to navigate the logistics smoothly.
The Viator trip we joined was called Carioca Tropical Tour. It was a half-day trip where we took an air-conditioned bus to this attraction as well as to Sugarloaf Mountain. Our guide Aline was great - She spoke English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Pro Tip 2:
There are many ways to get to the top of the mountain. Some folks prefer to take a train from the Corcovado train station. You can even hike up the mountain but it takes three hours and it is not an easy walk. This article by FreeWalkerTours is good to explore these options.
