Rio de Janeiro Travel Forum

Hello, we're trying to get an idea of costs for the typical sightseeing places in Rio.
So far, we want to see the Christ Redeemer statue, and Sugar Loaf Mountain. Can someone tell me how much it costs to take the cable car/tram to see these monuments? Cost can be in US$ or in Reals.

Also, we have a guide for the day...we're not particularily keen on museums or churches.....could someone suggest other sightseeing places for us. Again, if there is an entrance fee...and if you know how much it is....that would be really useful for our planning.
We would like to try to set up our own itinerary to help our Guide show us the city.

Thank you so much.

hi i check out Sugar Loaf website you can check this page to see how much is the price to get the train to get on top:
http://www.bondinho.com.br/horario.htm
prices are in Real.

Christ Redeemer statue:
http://www.corcovado.com.br/trem/info.asp?lingua=English

Rio tourism website:
http://www.riodejaneiro-turismo.com.br/riotur/en/guia/?Canal=32

I have a friend from Rio, she also works for a tourism agency, i can ask her to suggest some places for you. I went to Rio in 2006 by myself, i didnt want to pay for a guide, with the name of the places i wanted to visited i just went to visit them, also i was free and did my time, saved money that was important to me.
I hope these infomation help you a little.

Kakamg

Corcovado and Sugarloaf both run about R$35.

As far as alternative sights, that's WHY you hire a guide who knows the area--to make suggestions to you, not the other way around. If not, you are,as the other poster said, better off saving your money and doing it on your own.

IMO, Rio is about natural beauty, including beaches, and music.

You didn't mention what you DO like, so I would suggest as much of the above as possible. Go to Lapa at night to one of the clubs like Carioca da Gema to hear samba, live, and dance. Go to a samba school rehearsal (if you are in Rio in the months leading up to Carnaval.
For natural beauty and views, go up to the Tijuca forest, either hiking or just to the vista points. Take the ferry to Niteroi (every 15 minutes, 12 minute ride) and explore some natural areas there and to see the view of the city with the Christ in the background and Sugarloaf on the left as you get the return boat. There are some other "adventure" activities as well, like zip lining, helicopter rides and boat trips.

You can also get out of town to the beaches of Parati or Buzios for a day or too.

A very good site to get you oriented is www.ipanema.com with lots of info on neighborhoods and sights. Have a great time.

Hi. I've visited Rio a couple of times. A few other sightseeing things you might want to consider:

- Rent a bicycle from bike shop in Ipanema. There is a nice trail/walkway around the Lagoa. You can also bike along beach from Leblon to Copacabana and then to Botofogo and Flamengo. I think bike rental was about $15 USD a day.

- After you visit Sugarloaf, walk to small beach near parking lot and then along a 1 mile long trail at end of beach. Very nice view and you might see some little monkeys in the trees. Also, you can walk to the village of Urca from Sugarloaf.

- If you are there on a Sunday, you will want to visit Hippie Fair in Ipanema.

- Take a walking tour of downtown historical area. See Lonely Planet Rio guide for details of this walking tour and others. I took subway from Copacabana to downtown Centro area.

- Try to take your visit to Corcovado on a clear day as it can get foggy there.

Hope this helps and have a great visit to Rio!
-Gary

Thank you, everyone, for your wonderful help. I will be checking out those websites.

I have read lots about Sugar Loaf and Corcovado, just didn't know the prices.
There are at least 3 of us on this tour, with different interests, so we wanted as many options as possible.
What we want to avoid is a guide who likes to drop us off at churches, museums or his friends' markets (and I'm not saying that this fellow will do that), and then come back to get us in a few hours.

We want to sound reasonably intelligent in our choice of itinerary. Personally, I like nature, forests, animals and the like, but not sure if my friends want to do that..so we'll have to negotiate before we tell the guide our plans.

Our trip is in early March...Thank you for the ferry ride info, bahiana...that sounds like something that I would like to do.
We are going to be staying at a hotel in Ipanema, and we'll be there on a Sunday...so the hippie fair sounds very interesting. Thank you, Gary
Thank you, Kakamg for the web sites and suggestion to do the sightseeing on our own.

This is fun to plan, especially since where I live, it is -2F (-15C), and we have a ton of snow already!!!! Rio will be a welcome change!

I live in Rio de Janeiro here there are many place to tourist know that are not expensive but everytime the guides drive you to all places expensive. you should know island (ilha de paqueta) you will pay R$ 5 for tickt, It is so beautifull. have a nice trip !!! Ask me any question

Hello Alexsander.....thank you for your suggestion. I appreciate all suggestions.
We have a guide, but would like to set up our own itinerary so that we see the places that we want to see.

We will be in Rio from Saturday, Mar. 8 at Noon, until Monday at Noon. We would like to see Sugar Loaf, Corcovado-Christ Redeemer, Hippie Fair on Sunday, Santa Teresa. I would also like to see the Tijuca Forest. Do you think we're asking too much to see? Don't forget, we must do some shopping. I understand that there are shops in Ipanema...our hotel in in Ipanema...

What is there to see and do on the island that you suggest?

Thank you so much for letting me ask you quesitons. It is so difficult to plan a trip when one has never been to the new place before.
Cheers, Joyce

Hello

You should know the "Ilha de Paqueta" because It is old fashion there are no car there, the unique car there belong to police and It is so beautiful my every foreign friends that I took loved It. There is the "Feira de São Cristovão" It is a big party that there is every weekend in Rio de Janeiro, you will pay R$ 1 for Feira's tick, for friday or saturday at night you should know "Lapa" I recomend this bar there www.tabernadojuca.com.br it is my friend's bar and many other things. Is your guide from any brazilian tourism agency?

I am estuding english and I would like to have some drink with you here to practise my english.

Thank you again for your suggestions. I've read about going to Lapa at night..maybe we'll do that. Our guide's name is Marcio...and he speaks English and seems very nice.

I will let you know what our itinerary ends up like. Maybe we can meet for a drink...we would love to meet you!

Joyce