Visiting Sugar Loaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is not dangerous at all — you won’t feel any danger.
Sugar Loaf is a huge rock located in Urca Neighborhood, which is a military area. The summit of Urca Hill (the hill half way to Sugar Loaf) presents no danger either – it is guarded during the opening hours. And finally, the Sugar Loaf summit is not dangerous either as it is also guarded by private guards hired by the Sugar Loaf Aerial Path Company.
In other words, you can bring your best camera and take your time to shoot the best photos. (Be sure to have your batteries charged as it is not usual visitors at Sugar Loaf take dozens of photos since there are plenty of photo-op locations).
Rio is much safer nowadays than a few years ago. You should not be worried while visiting Sugar Loaf. However, if you are carrying expensive equipment, do take a taxi to Sugar Loaf (any yellow taxi on the street will do), instead of a bus. To go back to your hotel, take a taxi at the stand at the exit (where you bought the cable round-trip ticket), at ground level.
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