About this experience
Surrounded by water on three sides and crowned by the Sugarloaf Mountain, the Urca peninsula is a true gem in the crown of the southern zone of Rio. While most tourists limit themselves to the views from the observation decks of the Urca and Sugarloaf hills, reached by a cable car, to truly feel the charm and understand the lifestyle of the inhabitants of this elite district, one should take an easy hike along a popular local trail, stroll through the atmospheric streets, and have a beer in the company of real Cariocas on the waterfront ledge at the 'Urca' bar, leisurely enjoying the evening bay view.
What to Expect
The Basics of Rio’s Beach Culture
Start your 'real carioca' course at Vermelha Beach, where street vendors selling crispy 'Globo' snacks and cold mate tea from a barrel are among the main attractions. After trying this classic combination or simply quenching your thirst with coconut water, prepare yourself for the upcoming adventure. In Rio, where all true Cariocas are obsessed with a healthy lifestyle, everyone is either jogging or briskly walking along the numerous paths and trails. You will walk along one of the most popular exercise trails on Urca - Pista Claudio Coutinho, or as it is affectionately known, 'Ben-Ti-Vi'. The trail winds along the rocky slope of Urca facing the open ocean. Along the way, you will encounter colorful small birds, monitor lizards, or small monkeys known as sagui, who were portrayed as villains in the 'Rio' animated movie.
Hiking on Urca Hill
With a guide, you will take an easy (about 40 minutes) hike to a height of 220 meters to the viewpoint on Urca Hill. As a reward for this achievement, you will receive discounted tickets for the cable car (saving about 10 euros off the full adult ticket price). Here, you will see the gondolas of the first two generations of the world's oldest operating cable car, spots where James Bond movies were filmed, and take many beautiful photos with a view of the Sugarloaf Mountain.
Unforgettable Sunset on Sugarloaf
At the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, where the second line of the cable car takes you, you will witness one of the most impressive sunsets and night views of the city in the world. These unique landscapes are accompanied by bossa-nova music and warm Brazilian winds. After enjoying the views from the top of Urca, you will continue exploring the city's gem below: stroll along quiet streets and a less crowded waterfront, see beautiful mansions with tiled roofs, and the building of the famous Rio casino from the 1930s-40s. Along the way, you will learn about the Quadrant, where the local 'king of music' lives, and finally merge with the noisy crowd of Cariocas on the waterfront ledge at the 'Urca' beer bar, admiring the evening bay framed by the legendary hills of Rio de Janeiro.
Organizational Details
- Entrance tickets to the cable car (5-10 Euro if purchased at the Urca hill ticket office), public transportation or taxi fares to and from Urca, and the food and drinks mentioned in the text are not included in the excursion price.
- Closed-toe (non-slip) footwear and some physical preparedness are required for hiking.
