Rio is one of these WHS I visually absolutely enjoy, but it is not really clear to me where the UOV lies. However, I enjoyed my visit and was happy that I could combine visiting a new WHS and completing my minor travel goal to visit all New 7 Wonders. The other reviews covered the most important points, so I will concentrate on how to get to the parts of the WHS I visited.

In general I walked a lot. There are “walk Rio” sign posts all around the city and it’s sufficiently marked where to go to get to the next stop. I never felt unsafe and hat no problem using my big camera and my mobile phone in public. After covering Valango Wharf and 2 TWHS on foot in down town, I took the metro to Copacabana. I got off at Cantagalo station and walked the few minutes to the beach. Copacabana is by far the part of the town, where I saw most foreigners and it doesn’t feel like a WHS at all. I still enjoyed walking in the warm water and moved towards the Sugar Loaf for around 1km. I left the beach at the Hilton  and walked to the funicular station of the Sugar Loaf. Takes around 45mins and you will cross a tunnel on the way. I arrived at the funicular station around noon. Strangely I was much faster without online reservation. While those who reserved a ticket online were waiting in a tremendous line I pretty much entered instantly. After the first stop you have to change funicular, which means getting in line again. I was lucky a second time and got in instantly as well. As I saw on my way back, the waiting time can get much longer very fast. Turns out noon was just the right time. Probably many had lunch during this time. Views from the Sugar Loaf are the best, so it is a must on your itinerary. From the second station I walked down through the jungle. Very pleasant walk. I even spotted some monkeys.

The next day I took a van from Largo de Machado metro station (Van terminal just outside the exit, in a small park) to Corcovado. I had reserved a spot online for 8am. Even though they tell you to be at the office 30mins before departure, they didn’t open till 8 and I had to wait. Taking the first van proofed to by a good thing. At Corcovado station you need to exit the van and take a new one that brings you all the way to the statue. I could board instantly, but infrastructure tells me this can change for those arriving later. For the way down I spontaneously decided to walk. The trail is easy to find, but only enjoyable for experienced hikers. Hiking through the jungle I again saw some monkeys (yes, I like them) and birds. It took my around 50mins to get the Parque Lage. From there you can take a bus to the next metro station or, like me, walk around the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas to Jardim de Alah metro station.