The area where Christ the Redeemer statue is located on Corcovado Mountain has good infrastructure. The facilities are of high standard and reassures the thousands of visitors who every day take the train or the minibus up Corcovado Mountain to have a close look at the giant Christ statue.
Clean toilets
Toilets on Corcovado summit are cleaned regularly and there is never a queue to use them.
Warning for the disabled: the most convenient toilet is the one at the back of the Corcovado Restaurant. You need to walk down 17 steps (and then walk back up) to use them. If you have difficulties in walking up and down steps, it may be best to consider using the restrooms before taking the Corcovado cog train or minibus shuttle.
Snack and juice bars
There are two snack/juice bars and one restaurant on Corcovado summit. While there is a variety of beverages and food, the highlight is definitely the freshly-made fruit juices. Some of these juices, such as mango (the best in Rio!) are so sweet that no added sugar is needed.
Don’t forget to order your drink “no sugar” (sem açúcar) when ordering mango, watermelon, orange, or pineapple juice. The best juice bar is the one closer to the statue, right above Corcovado Restaurant.
Souvenirs stores
At Corcovado souvenir’s stores (none sell on line), you can buy all sorts of souvenirs related to the Christ statue, such as postcards, mini Christ statues (including those made of soapstone), photo books, a Christ DVD documentary, or a book about the history of Christ the Redeemer.
The stores are not huge, but you can also find other souvenirs related to Rio de Janeiro and Brazil. Products are slightly pricier on Corcovado summit, which is typical, of course, at tourist site.
220 steps versus elevator plus escalator
Until 2002, the only way to get to the plateau where Christ statue is located was by climbing 220 steps! Fortunately, in 2003, two escalators and three German-made elevators were built. So today, after getting off the minibus or the cog train, visitors have an effortless access to Christ statue, which is accessible to the physically disabled, heart patients, and the elderly. Despite the modernizations, many visitors still prefer to take the steps.
Tips for those in a wheelchair
If you are in a wheelchair, the easiest way to visit Christ statue is by taking the cog train, because you can remain in the wheelchair (that wouldn’t be possible if you took the minibus).
At the cog train station
There are no steps and the terrain is rather flat from the moment you get out of the vehicle, up to the ticket office, and boarding the train. There are six free wheelchairs available at the train station. However, each train holds only two wheelchairs.
At the summit of Corcovado
Once you get off the train at the Christ statue area, there is a panoramic elevator a few steps away. Then, there are two flights of escalators. The staff are very helpful and will bring your wheelchair (or theirs – they have two for free use at the statue area) up the escalators to the top of Corcovado where you can see the views of Rio de Janeiro and the Christ statue.
To avoid the crowd of tourists and to learn how to visit the statue on a cloudless moment of the day, get a copy of the most practical book on visiting Christ the Redeemer Statue. (or, to get started, get a free book preview below in PDF format).
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