Last Update: 10 July 2026
Temporary access changes at Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro’s most iconic landmark, will remain open during an accessibility improvement project scheduled to begin on 3 August 2026.
As part of the project, the existing escalators at Alto Corcovado will be replaced. The works are expected to continue until the end of May 2027.
What will remain unchanged?
Visitors will continue to have access to Christ the Redeemer through:
- Corcovado Train services.
- Official Paineiras-Corcovado vans.
- Authorized hiking trails.
- The existing elevators connecting the visitor levels.
What will change?
During the works, visitors should expect several operational adjustments:
- Visitor capacity at Alto Corcovado will be reduced by approximately 50% at any given time.
- Escalators between the second floor and the monument platform will be unavailable.
- Visitors will need to use the stone staircase for the final section of the visit.
- The final access consists of approximately 80 steps.
- Ticket availability may be more limited than usual.
- Waiting times may increase, especially during weekends, holidays and peak travel periods.
The capacity reduction applies only to the maximum number of visitors admitted simultaneously and does not affect the monument’s regular opening hours.
Accessibility during the works
During the escalator replacement works, visitors will need to use the stone staircase connecting the second floor to the monument platform. This final section consists of approximately 80 steps.
Stair-climbing chairs and wheelchair stair-climbing equipment will be available upon request for visitors with reduced mobility. These devices cannot be operated during rain or when the stairs are wet. Guests with mobility restrictions should be advised to inform their travel provider in advance so appropriate arrangements can be evaluated
What agencies should do
Recommendations for wholesalers and travel advisors:
- Inform passengers that Christ the Redeemer will remain open during the works.
- Advise travelers about possible construction activity and temporary route adjustments.
- Consider mobility requirements for guests who may be affected by the temporary escalator closure.
- Allow extra time for visits during peak periods.
Long-term benefits
The renovation project is designed to improve the overall visitor experience while increasing accessibility and operational efficiency at one of Brazil’s most visited attractions.
Once completed, visitors will benefit from:
- Improved accessibility across the entire complex.
- Modernized visitor facilities and services.
- Enhanced circulation between different viewing levels.
- Greater comfort and safety for all visitors.
These improvements will further strengthen Christ the Redeemer as one of South America’s premier tourism landmarks.
Updated: 14 October 2019
Updated this post: The elevators and escalators are back in operation
The elevators and escalators to the statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the symbols of Rio de Janeiro, stopped working after a strong storm that hit the city.
The elevators and escalators to the statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the symbols of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, stopped working after a strong storm that hit the city on April 8 and 9, 2019. This means that in order to get to the monument, visitors need to climb a 220-step staircase, a difficult path for the elderly and disabled.
According to the Tijuca National Park, the organization responsible for the access to the monument, the stairs and elevators were turned off as a precaution measure. The storm may have caused some problems in the electrical installations, so the park administration awaits a new technical inspection to allow their use. At the moment, the problem is that this situation has already extended for more than a month and there is not a specific date for them to be back in operation.
The access to the upper part of the Corcovado mountain is made by a train or a car, and both of them can only reach up to a certain point of the road. From there on, and up to the feet of the statue, the access is only made by the conventional staircase, escalators or elevators – the last two installed in 2003 and at the moment, out of service.
The Christ the Redeemer, inaugurated in 1931, is considered the most important tourist attraction in Rio. It receives about 3 million visitors per year. The monument has the title of one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
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