Cocovado and Sugarloaf
Cocovado – The Redeemer
Everyone has seen it in photos, TV or in person. It is the mountain –top statue of Jesus with his arms spread open towards the city and the sea. It is THE spot to take fantastic photos of the surrounding city. In the morning there is usually a haze over the city, so go walk on the beach and enjoy a nice breakfast before heading up to Cocovado. Take a taxi to the tram station. Tickets are about $18 per person for a round-trip ticket. The tram winds its way up the mountain through the Tijuca Forest. Flora and Fauna abound as you go higher and higher. Once at the top you can either walk up many, many, many stairs or take an elevator to the base of the statue of Christ. A literal 360-degree view of Rio de Janeiro awaits your camera and video recorder.
Sugarloaf
Just minutes from Copacabana Beach is a must do, must see for any visit to Rio de Janeiro. Buy your tickets at the base gondola station for $18 per person round-trip. This will allow you to go to the highest peak. Jump aboard the gondola and get your camera ready. At the top of the second peak there are beautiful views of the city and Cocovado. If you like to take night photos, they are open until 10 p.m. At the top of the second peak, on the far side of the peak there are several paths. Take one and follow it down for a view of the other side of sugarloaf. Views of the bay and the fortresses that protect it. Don’t be surprised if you see a few monkeys as you stroll along the pathways.
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For the Runner – Copacabana Beach
It’s a wonderful run along the beach of Copacabana. In the early morning (7am), hundreds of people run/walk along the beach. There is a paved running area separate from Avenue Atlantica that runs the entire length of the beach. It is marked off on each end and it is 4000m end to end. The views of the mountains on one side and the ocean/islands on the other are truly inspiring as you are perspiring. There are many more walkers than runners, but they tend to walk on the sidewalk and respect the runners. Be sure to get our run in before 9am in the summer as it gets very hot very fast. If you are not used to the humidity, it does tend to drain you energy more quickly than usual.
