Rio’s Sugarloaf Mountain

Saturday, January 17, 2026

As far as big cities go, Rio de Janeiro has the most dramatic landscape. Its skyline is dominated by tropical peaks that meet the Atlantic Ocean. A visit here will include going up at least one of these granite mountains!

Granite monoliths of rock are the signature landmarks that create Rio's world renowned skyline

Visiting Sugarloaf brought me back to my childhood, when James Bond's Moonraker was my favorite movie. I still vividly remember the scene filmed on Rio's cable car, esp when Jaws bites through the thick cables.

Sugarloaf's tallest peak, Morro da Urca, is 1,300 feet tall.  Queue the James Bond suspense chord!

We are excited to be here. Sugarloaf is the most stunning addition to Rio's skyline. But being on it is underwhelming. It is difficult to get a direct view without something blocking part of it. It didn't help that our sunset was blocked by clouds.

Squished on the narrow viewing platform at the top, with trees to the left and the cable car building to the right

Finishing the mountain after sunset is a prime stepping off point for Saturday night's Lapa Street Party. In a city that never sleeps and throws some of the world's best parties, we are an ignominy - choosing to go to dinner and then bed - skipping out on Rio's lively nightlife.

Logistics

• At 10am on a Saturday, we struggled to get 2 Ubers to take us back to Rio. In addition to the regular fair, they all requested an extra R$200-400 for "help with their return" - doubling the cost.
• The ride from Buzios to Rio on a Saturday morning was quite peaceful. Nobody would believe that just a few days ago how crazy the drivers were!
• Tap water is not safe to drink in Rio de Janeiro (and Brazil in general)
• The trip to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain consists of two cable rides. Each ride lasts about 3 minutes. However, the lines for each cable car can take 5-30 minutes. (Or you can buy a fast pass.)
• Sugarloaf Mountain gives any student a 50% discount when you show your school ID. It is the first time this trip that student discounts weren't only for citizens.