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Authors
Visual Travel Tours, "Beyond the self-guided tour" Denver Business Journal, 2/19/10 excerpt.

Rio: Sugarloaf, Christ The Redeemer & Santa Teresa


 

The geography of this sprawling city is unique. It is set between the South Atlantic and huge domes of granite, which afford breathtaking views of the ocean, Guanabara Bay, chic neighborhoods and shantytowns, and those oh-so-inviting beaches. The twin domes of Sugarloaf Mountain, accessed by cable car, provide 360-degree views of the city from two levels. The tour then visits Christ the Redeemer: perched atop Corcovado Mountain, the statue watches over the city. Below Christ’s outstretched arms you will have views of the entire city, including Sugarloaf. Finish your trip at the lesser-known hilltop community of Santa Teresa, reached by Rio’s last surviving streetcar. This is a favorite weekend hangout for locals, who come for the food and the samba. After lunch, enjoy the cool breezes and magnificent views as you sip your coffee and once again reach for your camera.

 
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Tips in this Tour:


March and April are excellent months in which to visit Rio. Prices are lower and crowds lighter in these post-Carnival months. Rains are also less frequent. August, September, and October are also excellent months to visit. But there’s never really a bad time to visit Rio!
Though Corcovado, Sugarloaf, and Santa Teresa are all wonderful sights, plan to stay in Copacabana or Ipanema, where you will have a wide selection of hotels and restaurants, and be close to the beach. You’ll have no trouble getting from Copacabana or Ipanema to the sights covered in this tour.
Don’t even think about renting a car in Rio. Traffic can be heavy, and vacation is not about negotiating unfamiliar streets and searching for parking. Buses and taxis run just about everywhere, and are much cheaper than back home. Rio also has a subway system. You can take the Metro to the Carioca station downtown and be only a 2-block walk to the tram that goes up to Santa Teresa.
Try to visit the sights covered in this tour - all of which are located in the heights above the city - on a clear day for the best views and photos. Be aware that weather in Rio is changeable due to its geography. Don’t wait until late in your trip to visit these sights. If today is clear, go!
Please be aware that Brazilians speak Portuguese, not Spanish. Any Spanish that you speak may be a help, but do invest in a Brazilian Portuguese/English dictionary. Random House publishes an excellent pocket-sized dictionary.

Enjoy an audio/video sample of this tour:

Click to see a QuietGuide™: Scroll as you stroll. Text+photos formatted for mobile. 

Transportation: By Foot - Easy walking
Specialty: Historical/Heritage
Category: Guided Tour - play before & while you tour
Added:02/01/2009
Duration: 30 min

Chapters in this tour:
     Introduction
     Sugarloaf Mountain
     Christ the Redeemer
     Santa Teresa
 
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* Free Map With Purchase

Visual Tour + Free Map
Be sure you have sufficient space on your device, approximate sizes listed below.
      For PC and Windows Mobile Devices - .wmv - $15.95 (65MB)
      For Mac, iPod, and iPhone - .m4v - $15.95 (75MB)
      For most cellphones - .3gp - $15.95 (30MB)
      For most smartphones - .mp4 - $15.95 (79MB)
  Audio Only + Map for any audio device - .mp3 (15MB) + Free Map - $9.95


Provider: John Clites

 John Clites contracted the travel bug when a child and has never shaken it, having visited 49 of the 50 states and 26 countries. For the last 12 years he called South Florida home, before moving to Rio de Janeiro. He now lives in Ipanema. An amateur photographer and author for many years, John now writes professionally, but he never intends to let travel and exploration become more work than play.