One of the most popular events in Rio de Janeiro is the “Reveillon no Morro da Urca” (Urca Hill’s New Year’s Eve celebration), which attracts hundreds of Cariocas (natives of Rio) willing to pay over R$600; US$300; €260 for that night.
There is no New Years Eve celebration on the summit of Sugar Loaf, but there is at Urca Hill, which is the hill half-way to Sugar Loaf, and high enough to have an unforgettable view of the fireworks (although not the fireworks of Copacabana).
If it is the first time will you witness the New Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro, then you should not miss the fireworks in Copacabana, which starts precisely at midnight and lasts about 20 minutes. More than 2 million people go to Copacabana Beach every year with the purpose of seeing in person the fireworks.
It is possible to see the fireworks in Copacabana and also go partying at Urca Hill afterwards. To accomplish that with minimum hassle you should 1) book a hotel at Avenida Princesa Isabel (or very nearby), which is the closest point of Copacabana from Urca Hill, 2) wait until the fireworks are finished at 0:20 a.m., and 3) walk for about 20 minutes to Urca Hill. The New Year’s Celebration usually goes until 5 a.m at Urca Hill.
P.S. You may see fireworks from Urca Hill, but not the Copacabana ones.
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