There are several variables to consider before go visiting Christ the Redeemer Statue atop Corcovado Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. If you are on a cruise ship that will dock in Rio’s port (Pier Maua), then you should take into account even more issues that a visitor staying in a hotel, for example in Copacabana or Ipanema, wouldn’t need to worry about.
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What time does you ship dock?
Does your ship dock at 7 a.m. before most ships dock (at 8 a.m.)? If that’s the case, then you will gain one hour ahead of the passengers from the other cruise ships, which is definitely an advantage.
Or, does your ship dock in the middle of the day? If that’s the case, AND if it is a weekend in December and January, AND if you only have that day to visit Rio, then you may face a lot of hassle to get to the top of Corcovado Mountain and see Christ the Redeemer Statue from close.
How many travelers are in your ship?
Does your ship carry 3.000, or 600 passengers? What about the other ships docking on that day? How many passengers will disembark at the same time? Some days there are as many as 10.000+ passengers disembarking on Rio de Janeiro cruise ship port.
The problem is not only that the top of Corcovado gets very crowded by late morning on such days, but how to get there without standing in line for hours for buying the tickets and boarding the transportation that takes you to the summit.
How many ships are docking on the day?
That is a crucial information you need to have when including Rio de Janeiro as part of your itinerary to Brazil, and South America.
It is weekend or weekday?
Is your cruise ship docking on a weekend or on a weekday? The weekends (especially in December, January, and partially February) tend to be rather crowded.
December and January is summer national school vacation in Brazil, which means that Brazilians from over Brazil visit Rio de Janeiro on those months, and especially on weekends, as sometimes mom and dad work on those months and can only travel with their children on the weekends (they either drive or fly low cost).
February is Carnival time; the festivities last 4. 5 days, and Rio de Janeiro welcomes 1 million tourists on those days. The date varies from year to year.
Is your budget tight, or do you have plenty of disposable vacation money?
If you budget is tight, things can be a bit more difficult. On the other hand, if you have put aside a certain amount, then you may take a hotel in Rio for a couple of days, and/or hire a private tour guide to figure out the best and problem-free way to visit Rio de Janeiro.
What month will you travel to Rio?
The Rio de Janerio (and Brazilian) cruise ship season goes from October to May. However, October, April, and May are rather quiet — very few cruises dock in those months as well as less tourists (who stay in hotels) visit Rio. It is a great time to travel to Rio de Janeiro and visit Christ the Redeemer Statue, Sugar Loaf Hill, and other unmissable attractions.
November and March are slightly busy months, but feasible. But December and January (mainly these two), and February are very busy months.
Will you disembark in Rio for a day, or more than a day?
If other ships dock in Rio on the same day you disembark, but your ship is not leaving on that day, then you have the option of visiting Christ the Redeemer Statue the next day in the morning (if the following day is not worst than the first day!).
Will you disembark in Rio, visit the main attractions, and head to the airport for a night flight back home?
That’s a very common decision cruisers make. There are several points to consider here. How many are you? 4 people with luggage? Take into account that many Brazilian car models will not hold four passengers and their large luggage. Book in advance a vehicle with the right capacity, or take two small ones.
What day of the week will you disembark? If it is a weekday, it would be possibly easier to visit Christ the Redeemer statue. On the other hand, there is lots of traffic towards the international airport (GIG) from 3 to 9 p.m. from Monday to Friday (except on public holidays). The travel time to the airport can take up to 1 hour and a half.
CONCLUSION
The bottom line is Rio de Janeiro is naturally beautiful, worth-seeing, and safer than before — not at all to be missed when travelling to South America.
Do take into consideration staying a couple of days in Rio before boarding the cruise ship, or after disembarking it — you will not regret — that’s the best way.
The cruise ship port is only a 20-minute yellow taxi ride to Copacabana Beach, where there are dozens of hotels for you to choose from. From Copacabana to the international airport (GIG – Galeao/Antonio Carlos Jobim) is only 30 minutes without traffic (on weekends).
Whether or not you stay in Rio de Janeiro before or after your cruise trip, get your copy of My Rio Travel Guide, and learn in one single seating, tons of tips, suggestions, maps and recommendations that will make your to Brazil much more memorable and smooth.
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