Why Christ the Redeemer Belongs on Your Bucket List
My first world wonder? Christ the Redeemer in Rio. Bigger than you imagine, dreamier than the movies, and 100% worth the trip. Here’s why you need it on your bucket list.
My First World Wonder: Christ the Redeemer
When I told people I was heading to Brazil, everyone immediately asked the same thing: “Are you going to see Christ the Redeemer?” Like, no one asked about the food (which, by the way, is incredible), or the beaches (equally incredible). Everyone wanted to know about the statue. And honestly? Fair. Christ the Redeemer isn’t just another stop on the trip, it’s the moment. It’s one of the Seven Wonders of the World and my first. Spoiler alert: it did not disappoint.
Okay, so what was it actually like seeing Christ the Redeemer in person? Picture this: you take a little train ride up through a lush forrest, the city slowly falling away beneath you, and then, suddenly, you’re there. And I don’t care how many times you’ve seen it in movies, TikToks, or emojis, nothing prepares you for the real thing.
Christ the Redeemer is massive. Like, you know it’s big, but then you’re standing right under it and you realize: oh, I’m basically the size of one toenail. At 98 feet tall (plus a 26-foot pedestal), the scale is mind-blowing. The arms stretch out 92 feet wide, and you get why it’s a global symbol of welcome.
But the part that really hit me? Turning around. Because it’s not just about the statue, it’s the view. From up there, Rio spreads out in every direction. You’ve got Sugarloaf Mountain in the distance, the famous beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema, neighborhoods spilling across hillsides, and the Atlantic Ocean sparkling. It’s the kind of view that makes you whisper “no way” about fifteen times in a row.
This is where you go, “is this real life?”
For me, it was the clouds. They roll in fast up there. One moment, the statue is glowing in the sun, clear as day, and the next, it’s swallowed by mist. It looked like something out of a movie, like someone had handed me a postcard and then said, “Oh, actually, step inside.”
So…worth it? Obviously?
Would I recommend? Absolutely. In fact, I’d argue it’s one of those places you have to see once in your life. Not just because it’s iconic (though it is), but because of how it makes you feel. There’s something about standing up there, looking out over Rio with this towering statue at your back, that puts things in perspective. It’s humbling, it’s exhilarating, and it makes you want to high-five every stranger around you because you’re all experiencing this once-in-a-lifetime moment together.
Plus, this was my first world wonder, and it set the tone. If you’ve ever wanted to start checking off the big bucket list items, Christ the Redeemer is the perfect place to begin. You leave with a sense of awe, a phone full of photos, and the sudden urge to text your group chat: “So…Brazil next year?”
Seeing Christ the Redeemer wasn’t just sightseeing, it was emotional, and genuinely one of the coolest experiences I’ve had traveling. Brazil has so much to offer: food, music, beaches, culture, but this moment? This is the one that makes you fall in love with traveling. It’s like everything goes away and you are just slack jawed staring at this huge statue that you’ve seen pictures of your whole life. This is one of those experiences that reminds you of your inner child and why you started traveling in the first place. So yes, add it to your list. And when you finally stand at the base of Christ the Redeemer, turn around, and see all of Rio below you, you’ll get it. Promise.
Travel Expert Tips for Visiting Christ the Redeemer
Timing is everything: Go in the morning for clearer skies (afternoons can get cloudy fast). Early means fewer crowds, too.
Pack smart: Sunglasses, sunscreen, and water: you’re exposed at the top, and the sun doesn’t mess around in Rio.
Camera tricks: Don’t just take photos of the statue, turn around for panoramic shots of Rio. Bonus: have a friend lie down and snap from below for the full scale effect.
Expect crowds: It’s one of the most visited monuments in the world. But honestly? Sharing the moment with travelers from all over the globe makes it even better, you remember you’re all just coming to see this amazing thing and it means something different to all of you.
