Christ the Redeemer

Arrival Day in Rio de Janeiro

I flew in from Santiago, Chile, landing in Rio in the early afternoon.
Took an Uber from the airport to JO&JOE hotel, a hip and groovy open house, with a young community vibe, part hostel but also with private rooms, and a 5min walk to the train up to Christ the Redeemer.
After dropping off my things, I took a stroll along world famous Ipanema beach.

As I walked around the city, I looked up to see the Christ the Redeemer statue I’d be visiting the next day.
Wherever you walk in Rio, you can always catch a glimpse of the open-armed figure standing atop the hill, welcoming you to the city.
Of all the Wonders I’ve visited, Christ the Redeemer remains the only one that felt ever-present during my entire stay.

There are 3 official ways to climb to the peak of 700m (2,300ft) Corcovado mountain to see the Christ the Redeemer statue:
1. A 2h uphill hike (R$30 = $5USD). It’s physically challenging and there have been robberies. Not recommended.
2. A 30-35min van service (R$116 = $21USD). Comfortable but boring and slow. 2nd best option.
3. A 10min scenic train ride (R$128 = $23USD). Fast, comfortable, and great views. This is the way to go.
Make sure to book the train online in advance and pick the earliest time 7:20am. It’s less crowded and less hot.
Also remember to bring water, sunglasses, and sunscreen!

I grabbed dinner at Trégua Cozinha, a tiny space where you sit at the bar and watch the chefs cooking and grilling fantastic food first hand.
Everything was simple, honest, no frou-frou, and absolutely delicious.
After a yummy meal, I headed back to my hotel before tomorrow’s early start.

I got up bright and early and walked over to the train station.
There was already a line, but it moved quite quickly, and before long I was all set to take the first train of the day up Corcovado mountain.

Inside the train itself was clean, comfortable with A/C, and despite being full had plenty of room.
The ride up afforded spectacular views of the city, from the blue coastline to the rugged mountains overlooking Rio.

After 10min the train arrived at the upper station.
Almost immediately a mad rush of anticipation broke out, with the early crowd racing off the train, eagerly speed walking up the stairs, desperately trying to be the first of the day to see this fabled statue.

At the top of the stairs, I was greeted with open arms by Christ the Redeemer.
The 30m tall white concrete art deco statue sits on an 8m high brown pedestal. It’s almost as wide as it is tall, with the arms stretching out 28m.
Originally designed in France by sculptor Paul Landowski, the monument was assembled on-site over a period of 9 years, and unveiled in 1931.

On closer inspection, you can see that the statue is not smooth, but is in fact meticulously coated with a mosaic of over 6 million soapstone triangular tiles.
There is also a strangely small stylised heart depicted just above the mantle. This is likely the Sacred Heart, which represents love and compassion.

Between the crowds and the sheer size of the statue, taking nice photos was surprisingly challenging.
Pro tip here: definitely bring a buddy so you can photograph each other, or else like me struggle with selfies or rely on the kindness of fellow visitors.
Others, as you can see here, experimented with more creative solutions. 😁

It’s hard not to get caught up in the iconic pose of the statue, a welcoming gesture that has become a symbol of Rio, synonymous with hope, salvation, and of course redemption.
While the statue isn’t the biggest in stature, and the sculpture itself is deliberately simple, what makes this wonder a global icon is perhaps the positivity it emanates and inspires in others.

As an added bonus, climbing this hill doesn’t just give you access to a World Wonder, but also affords you breath-taking views of the city.
Leaning on the stone balustrade at the far end of the platform, you get a front row seat to the beautiful sight of Sugarloaf Mountain overlooking Guanabara Bay below.

Beyond the iconic view of the bay, the platform allows for stunning views of Rio in virtually every direction.
Notable points of interest include Rodrigo de Freitas lake, Pres. Costa e Silva bridge, and Maracanã Stadium which hosted the 2014 Men’s World Cup final, and is set to host matches for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

An often overlooked quirk of this wonderous spot are the magnificent frigatebirds that circle overhead.
These beautiful birds swoop and sail all around the viewing area, adding yet another dynamic and natural dimension to this visit.
Interestingly, these birds often seemed to travel in pairs, almost as if Christ the Redeemer’s theme of love was manifesting itself in the sky above.

Another lesser known fact about Christ the Redeemer is that the brown pedestal below the statue is hollow, and since 2006 is home to a small chapel where you can sit and pray.
The chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of Aparedica, the Holy Protector of Brazil.

After a lovely visit to this monumental mountaintop, it was time to say goodbye to my new friend in high places and take the train back down to the city.
Even on the way down, you’re still treated to yet more lovely views of the city below.
Once at the base station, a quick walk got me back to my hotel to freshen up and rest a little.

After an early start that morning, I had plenty of time left in the day to continue exploring Rio.
I headed for the water’s edge and enjoyed strolling along the harbour, taking in the sights and sounds.

For my final evening in Rio, I headed to Bar do Mineiro, considered a veritable institution when it comes to serving authentic feijoadas – hearty black bean stews considered Brazil’s national dish.
The stew was rich and rustic, with a bold salty taste that really filled me up.
The iconic Brazilian drink is the Caipirinha, a cocktail made from cachaça, sugar, and lime. As it turns out, the bartender and I both prefer its sister, the Caipiroska, with a vodka base instead.
I also enjoyed a Guaraná Antarctica, a popular local soda with a unique flavour that’s difficult to put into words. 😆

The next morning, it was time to head to the airport. I caught this epic dawn from the Uber.
Rio truly is iconic for a reason, a city with character, soul, and spirit. Getting to bask in the warm embrace of Christ the Redeemer is a feeling I won’t soon forget.
Next stop: Bogotá, Colombia!