Christ the Redeemer Statue (Cristo Redentor)

The largest art deco statue in the world, Christ the Redeemer is 130 feet (39 meters) tall, with arms measuring 98 feet (30 meters) across. Just about every Rio city tour includes a stop here, with many combining a visit with other top attractions such as the Sugar Loaf Mountain cable car and Santa Teresa. Choose between hiking tours, city sightseeing tours, and half-day trips to the statue.

• Skip-the-line tickets and exclusive early-access tours allow you to beat the crowds to the top.

• Choose between a private tour and a small-group tour for an exclusive experience.

• Tours include either cog train tickets or vehicle transportation to the top of the mountain.

• The Corcovado cog train departs every 20 to 30 minutes and is wheelchair accessible.

To reach the statue at the top of Corcovado, take the cog train or minibus from Santa Teresa. The train, which offers some spectacular views (especially if you sit on the right-hand side), leaves from the Cosme Velho train station at Rua Cosme Velho 513.

The site is open from morning to evening, with hours varying seasonally. On a clear day, the views from the base of the statue include the beaches of Leblon, Copacabana, and Ipanema, Sugar Loaf Mountain, and Guanabara Bay. After dark, the statue is lit up and seems to hover over all of Rio. Expect heavy crowds in the summer, so consider booking a skip-the-line ticket to save some time.

Regardless of how you reach the top of Corcovado, you'll travel through the Tijuca Rainforest. One of the world's largest urban rain forests at 12.4 square miles (32 square kilometers), Tijuca is home to diverse species of Brazilian plant and animal life. Before or after your visit to the statue, plan to spend some time exploring the surroundings here.

No, visitors cannot go into the Christ the Redeemer statue. It is possible to enter the statue and climb through its head and along its arms, but this part of the monument is closed to the public—rare exceptions may be granted access by the Sanctuary of Christ the Redeemer.

As one of the most-visited attractions in Brazil, Christ the Redeemer is always busy. You can typically avoid the biggest crowds by visiting on a weekday, rather than a weekend, but—no matter when you go—you won't have it all to yourself.

Yes, it is well worth going to Christ the Redeemer. The statue is an icon of Rio de Janeiro and, although you can see it from all across the city, there is nothing quite like getting up close and getting a sense of its massive scale.

Opening hours vary, but Christ the Redeemer typically opens to visitors around 8am. You can make the steep hike up to the statue any time, but know that robberies, muggings, and violent crimes have occurred on the trail. Hike with a group, don't bring valuables, and avoid it at night.

It typically takes around 1.5 hours to hike up Corcovado to Christ the Redeemer. It's an easy-to-follow trail, but it is steep. As it's also often hot and humid, the hike is best tackled early in the morning. Wear comfortable footwear and sunscreen and bring water.

No, the hike to Christ the Redeemer is not hard. Most people of average fitness can make the steep hike, but everyone should be aware of the dangers of the heat and humidity, as well as the risk of crime on the trail: Bring water, but leave valuables behind.