Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Flight over Christ and Sugarloaf
Overview
See Rio de Janeiro from the air on a shared helicopter flight of 20, 25, 30 or 40 minutes. Depending on the option you choose, you fly over Ipanema and Leblon, the lagoon and the Botanical Garden, Christ the Redeemer and, on longer flights, Copacabana, Sugarloaf Mountain and Maracanã. The aircraft takes up to three passengers, and doors-off flights are available for open-air views. A pilot who speaks English, Portuguese and Spanish flies you along the coast and back.
Highlights
- Choose 20, 25, 30 or 40 minutes, with closed doors or doors-off
- Fly past Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado from above
- Longer flights add Copacabana, Sugarloaf Mountain and Maracanã Stadium
- Beaches of Leblon, Ipanema and the coast from a new angle
- Small aircraft for up to three passengers, shared or exclusive when three travel together
- Pilot speaking English, Portuguese and Spanish
Full Description
Christ the Redeemer from above
Christ the Redeemer is the highlight of every route. The statue stands 30 metres tall on the 710-metre Corcovado peak, and from the air you see it at eye level with the clouds and the green ridge of Tijuca Forest below. A helicopter tour of Rio is one of the few ways to see the figure from all sides, and the shared aircraft is arranged so most passengers get a window view.
The flight path circles near Corcovado when the weather allows, and the pilot can tell you what you are looking at through the headset. Cloud can hide the peak for a short time, and the pilot may adjust the route to give you the clearest view. Bring a camera or phone with a strap for photos.
Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana and Arpoador
The 25-minute and 40-minute closed-door flights extend along the coast to Copacabana, Copacabana Fort, Arpoador and the mouth of Guanabara Bay. Sugarloaf Mountain rises 396 metres out of the water, and you see its cable cars, Morro da Urca and the small beach at Praia Vermelha from above. This is the flight to choose if you want the classic postcard views of Rio.
The Arpoador rock at the end of Ipanema is a well-known place for sunset, and from the air it looks like a natural breakwater between two great beaches. The doors-off flights add Arpoador in the 30-minute version, and the 40-minute doors-off route with Christ, Arpoador and Maracanã combines several highlights.
Ipanema, Leblon, the lagoon and the Botanical Garden
Every flight starts along the west coast, over the western beaches, Joatinga and São Conrado, then Leblon and Ipanema. Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, the Jockey Club racecourse and the Botanical Garden appear inland, with the forest rising right behind. The Rio helicopter flight shows how the city is squeezed between mountains and sea.
The 20-minute flights, closed doors or doors-off, concentrate on these areas and Christ the Redeemer. If you want a short flight with the main sights, this is a good choice. Look for the Two Brothers Hill above Leblon and the hillside neighbourhoods as you pass.
Maracanã, the Sambodrome and the city centre on the longest flight
The 40-minute closed-door flight adds Maracanã Stadium, the Sambodrome, the Museum of Tomorrow and a view towards Niterói across the bay. Maracanã is easy to spot as a large oval, and the Sambodrome is the long avenue where the Carnival parades take place. The Museum of Tomorrow sits on the old port pier and has a striking white roof.
The 40-minute doors-off flight with Christ, Arpoador and Maracanã is the most complete open-air option. Flight time is an estimate, since the route is fixed rather than the clock, and doors-off passengers should arrive at least 60 minutes before departure for safety briefing. A helicopter tour in Rio is one of the best ways to spend a clear morning.
Itinerary
- Arrive at the helicopter padGo to the meeting point at the time you selected; doors-off guests should arrive at least 60 minutes early.
- Safety briefingThe pilot and staff explain the flight, seat belts and the rules on board.
- Take off over the west coastFly along the beaches of São Conrado, Leblon and Ipanema, with the lagoon and Botanical Garden inland.
- Christ the Redeemer and the cityFly around Corcovado and, on longer flights, Copacabana, Sugarloaf Mountain, Maracanã and the bay.
- LandingReturn to the helicopter pad after 20, 25, 30 or 40 minutes, depending on your option.
What's included
- Shared helicopter flight for up to 3 passengers
- Pilot with English, Portuguese and Spanish
- Aerial views of Rio de Janeiro
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
- Tips
Not suitable for
- Passengers over 120 kg, because of aircraft weight limits
- Anyone who is very nervous of small aircraft or of flying with the doors open
- Guests who have eaten a heavy meal just before the flight
- Groups of more than three, who may need to be split across more than one flight
Meeting point
Meet at the helicopter pad in Rio de Janeiro at the time you selected; we send the exact location after booking. Hotel pickup is not included. Please arrive early: doors-off passengers should be there at least 60 minutes before the flight for the safety briefing, and late arrivals may be refused boarding. Bring a valid passport or ID.
Important information
- Bring your passport or photo ID; it is needed before boarding.
- Doors-off flights: arrive at least 60 minutes before your flight, or you may be refused boarding.
- The aircraft takes up to three passengers; larger groups are split across several flights.
- Flight time is an estimate, since the flight follows a route, not the clock.
- Avoid heavy meals before the flight, and wear secure clothes and shoes; no loose items in the doors-off flight.
- Passengers over 120 kg cannot fly for weight and safety reasons.
- Food and drinks, hotel transfers and tips are not included.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Rio helicopter flight cost?
The price depends on the flight you choose: 20, 25, 30 or 40 minutes, closed doors or doors-off. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, and updates with your selection.
What is the difference between the options?
The shorter flights cover Leblon, Ipanema, the lagoon and Christ the Redeemer. The longer ones add Copacabana, Sugarloaf, Arpoador and, on the longest, Maracanã, the Sambodrome and the Museum of Tomorrow. Doors-off options give open-air views.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. You go to the helicopter pad in Rio de Janeiro, and we send the exact location after you book. A taxi or ride-hailing car is the easiest way to get there.
How long is the flight?
From 20 to 40 minutes in the air, depending on the option. Plan on extra time for check-in and the safety briefing, and at least 60 minutes early for doors-off flights.
Is the helicopter flight suitable for children?
Children can fly if they can sit still and follow the pilot's instructions. Check the age information in the booking panel, and think about whether your child is comfortable in a small aircraft.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear comfortable clothes and secure shoes, and bring your passport or photo ID, sunglasses and a camera or phone with a strap. Avoid loose items, especially on doors-off flights.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Choose your date in the booking panel and it will show which times are open. Book ahead if you want a set time, since flights depend on the weather and on the number of passengers.
Can I fly if I weigh more than 120 kg?
No. Passengers over 120 kg cannot take the flight because of the weight limits of the aircraft.
Will I see Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf?
Christ the Redeemer is on every route. Sugarloaf Mountain is on the 25-minute and 40-minute closed-door flights. Choose the option that suits the sights you want to see.
What is the best time for a helicopter flight in Rio?
Morning is usually the clearest, before clouds gather around the peaks. If the weather is poor, the operator may change the time or the route for safety.
