Parque Bondinho Pão de Açúcar is one of the main tourist attractions in the marvelous city. A place full of history and charming landscapes, Parque Bondinho is a must-visit on your travel itinerary to Rio de Janeiro.
To explore one of the most beautiful postcards of the city, we’ve prepared this article with everything you need to know to plan the perfect visit to Parque Bondinho and enjoy the best experiences. Get your notes ready and come along with us.
How Did It All Begin?
To start, how about getting to know the history of Parque Bondinho Pão de Açúcar? The construction of this bold project involved around 400 people and took three years, starting in 1909. In 1912, the first segment, extending 600 meters, was inaugurated, linking Vermelha Beach to Urca Hill. The second segment, connecting Urca Hill to Sugarloaf Mountains, was inaugurated in 1913.
Parque Bondinho offers one of the most beautiful and comprehensive views of the city of Rio de Janeiro. To build the structure, climbers ascended both hills, carrying the necessary equipment in backpacks. This effort brought the stations to life, reaching a height of 396 meters above sea level.
In 1972, Companhia Caminho Aéreo Pão de Açúcar doubled the line and installed a jig-back system, allowing two cable cars to travel back and forth on each line. This increased the transportation capacity from 115 to 1,360 passengers per hour. Interesting, right?
In addition to the fantastic landscape, which features a large expanse of Atlantic Forest, Urca Hill and Sugarloaf Mountain were designated as national heritage sites by IPHAN (Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional) in 1973. They are part of a set that led to Rio de Janeiro being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012 under the cultural landscape category.
How to Get There?
Located in the Urca neighborhood in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro, Parque Bondinho Pão de Açúcar is close to the neighborhoods of Botafogo, Copacabana, and Leme. The nearest subway station is Botafogo. From there, you can take the SP-513 bus on Nelson Mandela Street, get off at Avenida Pasteur, and then walk for five minutes. The tour begins at Vermelha Beach, which is one of the most beautiful and intimate beaches in Rio.
The tour includes two lines for ascending and two lines for descending. The first ascent connects Vermelha Beach to Urca Hill, and the second ascent connects Urca Hill to Sugarloaf Mountain. On the descent, the route is the reverse: from Sugarloaf Mountain to Urca Hill and from Urca Hill to Vermelha Beach.
What to Bring?
When visiting Parque Bondinho Pão de Açúcar, it’s important to bring a few things that will ensure your trip is safe, easy, and enjoyable. Check out these tips!
First, remember to bring your personal documents to present at the entrance. Choose comfortable sneakers and shoes for walking around the park. Wear light clothing and carry small backpacks. However, if you need to bring more items, Parque Bondinho has ExpertLocker storage at the entrance, where you can leave your belongings for a more relaxed visit. Don’t forget to bring your fully charged cell phone to capture photos. If your battery runs out, don’t worry! There are USB charging ports at the Tropical Island, the children’s playground on Urca Hill. Additionally, you can rent a portable charger at Energy2go, located next to Rei do Mate. You can also bring a camera, as long as it’s not for commercial use. Oh, and another very important thing: use sunscreen!
How Much Does It Cost?
There are several ticket options for Parque Bondinho Pão de Açúcar that offer different types of access, as we have listed below.
Cable Car Ticket: R$185
The Cable Car Ticket includes the full ride to Sugarloaf Mountain. Visitors can stay as long as they wish at each section. Other options for this ticket are:
Cable Car Ticket for Children (Ages 3 to 12), Seniors, and Other Discounts: R$92*
*Other Discounts – (Persons with Disabilities, Accompanied Persons with Disabilities, Youth, Young ID, Students, Municipal Teachers of RJ, Municipal Sanitation Workers of RJ). A photo ID is required to verify the eligibility for the discounted fare.
Brazilian Promo Ticket: R$150
Promotional ticket for Brazilian nationals or residents, requiring individual presentation of the following original documents (or authenticated copies), either digital or printed.
- Adult Residents: Proof of residence in your name (water, gas, electricity, mobile, internet bill, credit card, or phone bill) and an official identification document with a photo (digital or printed).
- Adults Born in Brazil: Official identification document with a photo (digital or printed).
Fast Pass Ticket: R$295 | Fast Pass Ticket Half Price: R$147**
This ticket allows access to priority lines at all cable car stations. Those who choose this ticket option are entitled to reception in a VIP, air-conditioned lounge at the first station, providing an exclusive experience with the city’s best view.
*Prices are subject to change depending on the low or high season.
Cable Car+ Guided Tour: R$295 | Promo Brasil + Guided Tour: R$215 | Half-Price Cable Car + Guided Tour: R$157
The Guided Tour lasts 50 minutes and features a specialized bilingual guide. It accommodates groups of up to 20 people. Board the cable car to Urca Hill, arriving at the meeting point at Cable Car Square. Please arrive at least 25 minutes before the scheduled start time of the Guided Tour. After the tour, you can continue your visit without time restrictions.
State RJ Ticket Adult: R$80 | State RJ Ticket Child (3 to 12 years): R$40
Residents and individuals born in the State of Rio de Janeiro receive a 56% discount on the full cable car ride: R$80! Children aged 3 to 12 pay only R$40. To qualify for the discount, adults born in Rio must present an official photo ID, while resident adults need to show a nominal proof of residence. Discover all accepted documents at this link.
Free Entry and Half-Price Tickets
- Children aged 0 to 2 do not pay. The half-price ticket described above is guaranteed for:
- Children aged 3 to 12 years
- Young people aged 13 to 21 years
- Public school teachers in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro
- Municipal waste collectors (garis) in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro
- Individuals over 60 years old
- Students
- Persons with disabilities and their companions
IMPORTANT: Please note that half-price tickets are not available for the Bondinho Promo Brasil and State RJ tickets, as these are already promotional-priced tickets. Therefore, half-price tickets are available for the Cable Car Ticket (R$185), Fast Pass Ticket (R$285), and Guided Tour Ticket (R$157).
What are the spaces in the Park?
In addition to the most beautiful viewpoints of the city, at the Parque Bondinho Pão de Açúcar, you can also enjoy various other spaces. Check them out:
- Amphitheater — a traditional stage that has hosted various artists from Brazilian popular music. Between 1977 and 1987, it became famous for its carnival dances. Today, it remains a space for various cultural performances and events.
- Guanabara Bay Area — featuring shops and kiosks, this space is a covered dining and leisure area on Urca Hill, making your visit to the Sugarloaf Mountain even more special and relaxing.
- Cocuruto — a space dedicated to the history of the Sugarloaf Mountain, where visitors can see machinery and objects that are part of the story and creation of one of the oldest cable cars in the world.
- Observation Decks – there are 14 observation decks throughout the park, which are part of a historical and cultural circuit project in technical cooperation with the IPHAN. Through these observation decks, you can explore and learn about various aspects of our history and city.
- Woods – located on Sugarloaf Mountain, the Woods is a green area where you can get closer to nature and breathe fresh air. Here, you’ll find some native species, such as the silk floss tree and the Brazilian glory trees, making it a great spot for a picnic.
- Inclined Plane – Accessible for people with physical disabilities and reduced mobility, the park features elevators that take visitors to all the viewpoints, ramps, adapted restrooms, and the Inclined Plane, which is another innovation in accessibility.
- Cable Car Square – Upon arriving at Urca Hill, Cable Car Square displays two generations of the cable car, one from 1912 and another from 1972, as well as life-sized bronze sculptures of the individuals responsible for the design and implementation of each: Augusto Ferreira Ramos and Cristóvão Leite de Castro.
What are the opening hours?
Parque Bondinho Pão de Açúcar operates from Monday to Thursday, from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with the last boarding at 6:30 PM. On Fridays to Sundays, the hours are from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM, with the last boarding at 7:00 PM.
To enjoy the ride, simply go to the ticket office and purchase your ticket. The ticket office operates from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM every day. Weekends and holidays are the busiest times at Parque Bondinho. To avoid long lines, it’s best to buy your tickets online or opt for the Fast Access Ticket, in addition to arriving early.
The cable car departs every 20 minutes or when it reaches its maximum capacity of 65 people. Therefore, the boarding line is usually not very long.
How to plan a visit to the Parque Bondinho Pão de Açúcar?
A visit to the Parque Bondinho delights everyone, from locals to tourists from around the world! With the right planning, you can make the most of your experience! Remember, there is an option to buy tickets on-site, but purchasing in advance through the official website offers greater convenience and speed.
We suggest you set aside at least 2 hours of your day to explore the Parque Bondinho Pão de Açúcar. Rich in history, it’s a tourist, cultural, and sustainable destination that’s also beautiful! It’s the perfect experience to enjoy with family, a partner, or friends. If you have more time, we have enough attractions to keep you occupied for an entire day, from breakfast to dinner.
So, write down these tips, mark the date in your calendar, and come enjoy a day filled with happiness at one of the most iconic landmarks in Rio de Janeiro!
Want to know more? Click here to read Part II of our complete guide, “Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting the Parque Bondinho Pão de Açúcar,” and follow us on Instagram.
