Sugar Loaf

Located in the neighborhood of Urca, between two hills Cara de cão (dog face) and  Morro da Urca (Urca hill).

Sugar Loaf ( Pão de Açúcar ) is a history mark. It was at your base that Estacio de Sá determined the foundation of the future city of Rio de Janeiro in 1565.

In the entrance of Guanabara Bay, this huge block of rock with 1.295 ft. (395 m.) height is one of the city’s symbols.

There are many versions about the origin of the name given by the Portuguese but one of the most popular ones is because of it’s shape is similar to the cone shaped forms used by sugar-mills in clothing the sugar-cane juice.

To reach the top you got to go to Av. Pasteur to have access to the cable cars.
 

Cable Cars

In 1909 the mayor of the city gave the engineers Augusto Ferreira Ramos and Manoel Antonio Galvão the rights to explore and construct an aerial way from Praia Vermelha (Red Beach) to Morro da Urca (Urca Hill) with connection to the top of Sugar Loaf. At the time everything was made with Brazilian technology creating some doubts about its success but once done it became an example of Brazil’s potential.

The first station in Urca hill (Morro da Urca) was inaugurated in October 25, 1912. With 721 ft. (220 m.) height. The distance of the cable is 1.886 ft (575 m.) from the start to the first stop.

The second station from Morro da Urca to the top of Sugar Loaf was concluded three months later in January 18 of 1913. The cars had the capacity for 23 people and the trip took 5 minutes. In 1970 the cars were substituted to modern ones to fit more people and to change the technology. Two years later everything was ready.

Today more than one million people are transported every year and the cars support until 75 people per time.

Price: 35 reais
8:00 a. m. to 10:00 p.m.
Phone: 2546-8400

Check the official site: http://www.bondinho.com.br/

Tours

 

City tour to Sugar Loaf

A bus with a guide pass through the hotels picking up the passengers for a tour to Sugar Loaf and other sigh seeings.
You only pay here to the guide who pick you up.
Click here for more details

Private tour

 A professional guide will customize with you what is best based in your personal interest.
It is recommended to reserve the service in advance (specially in the high season).
Click here to make the reservation