Originally Posted by
carsnoceans
Would it be possible to visit Christ Redentor/ Sugarloaf in same day? Maybe start the day by going towards Christ Redentor and end with sunset at sugarloaf?
I suggest you take a private tour. Pick a guide who owns a car and do a full day tour like:
1st: Cristo Redentor (statue)
2nd: Parque Nacional da Tijuca
-> Vista Chinsea (view point) and Cascatinha de Taunay (small waterfall)
3rd: bohemian side of town
-> start at Santa Teresa, Lapa (Selaron steps) and walk to downtown to the opera house/cinelandia square and have lunch at a "per kilo restaurant"
4th: go up the sugar loaf mountain
5th: enjoy the sunset a arpoador (closed to your hotel) or at posto 9 (ipanema)
This gives you a great first impression of Rio de Janeiro. If you want to squeeze it you can also include Lagoa after the national park. Also Michael Jackson square at Favela Santa Marta could be an option.