Rio, The Sugar Loaf and Copacabana (4 hours)

Discover the highlights of vibrant and captivating Rio as your tour introduces you one of the most famous landmarks. Board your coach outside the terminal building and begin tour with a drive through the downtown commercial district and residential area en route to Rio’s celebrated curved beach backed by skyscraper apartments.

Your scenery drive will take you to Copacabana. Located between mountain and sea, this high-density narrow strip of land is a must-see for visitors. Drive along Avenida Atlantica known for its mosaic sidewalks designed by Burle Marx to represent images of rolling waves. Rio’s gregarious beach scene is a sight to behold; it offers living proof of the Carioca’s penchant for life.

From here your drive will take you to Praia Vermelha, where the sea level cable car station is located.

The Sugar Loaf, or Pão de Açucar, rises as a massive granite cone at the entrance of Guanabara Bay.

Board the cable car for the ascent made in two stages; it takes three minutes to get to the 650-foot Urca Hill, where shops and restaurants are amidst shady gardens. The second stage involves a breathtaking ride to the 1,200-foot summit. The bird’s eye view of the city and the beaches is incredibly stunning. You can take both rides all the way to the top, or the faint-hearted may remain on the middle level, enjoying the views from there.

Following your trip back down you will rejoin your coach and head back to the port and the ship.