Visiting the Dona Marta Viewpoint for the best views of Rio

As a person born and raised in Rio, I can say with all confidence that Dona Marta Viewpoint is my favorite lookout place in Rio. Every time I have people visiting, I bring them here because it is the perfect combination of incredible views and affordability (hint: it is FREE!).

In this guide, I will walk you through everything you need to know to visit Dona Marta Viewpoint during your trip to Rio.

Where is Dona Marta Viewpoint?

Dona Marta is a lookout point located within the Tijuca National Park, the urban park and forest that extends through the mountains of Rio. The mountain where Christ the Redeemer is located belongs to the same National Park, as well as most of the other mountaintops you can see around.

The viewpoint is located at 362 meters, giving you a panoramic view of the city of Rio.

What can you see from the Dona Marta Viewpoint?

Dona Marta Viewpoint is special because you can see almost the same view as when you visit Christ the Redeemer – without having to pay for the entrance ticket.

From the Dona Marta Lookout, you have the perfect view of the Sugar Loaf and Botafogo beach, along with the entrance of Guanabara Bay.

On one of the sides, you can see the downtown area of Rio and on the other direction, you also see the main neighborhoods of Copacabana, Ipanema, and Botafogo.

Across from the parking lot is a helipad from which you have an amazing view of Christ. We strongly recommend visiting the helipad as well because you will be able to see a different angle of the city. From the helipad, you can also spot the famous Maracana Stadium to your right.

How to get to Dona Marta Viewpoint?

The Dona Marta viewpoint is not accessible via public transport because it is located in such a remote spot, inside the National Park. There are three ways to get to Dona Marta:

Car

If you have your own car while traveling through Rio, the best way to get to Dona Marta is through the neighborhoods of Cosme Velho or Santa Teresa (depending on where you will be staying).

Going up with the car is very safe and easy, the viewpoint is well-tagged in Google Maps. The road to the viewpoint is the same that goes up to the Christ so it is usually busy with tourist vans.

There is a parking lot right outside the viewpoint. During the weekends or at busy times, you may have to pay 2 Reais for parking.

If you still need to rent a car, check out options on DiscoverCars.

Taxi/Uber

Most tourists and visitors prefer to visit Dona Marta by taxi or Uber. This is a very practical alternative if you do not have your own car while traveling in Rio.

But there is a catch! There is usually no phone signal on the viewpoint so when going up, you need to already have your way back organized with the taxi/uber driver.

The most popular option is to ask the taxi driver to wait for you while you visit the viewpoint. Of course, this comes with a price, but the taxi drivers in Cosme Velho and Santa Teresa are used to people wanting to visit Dona Marta in Rio. Make sure you check the price before you hop on the taxi.

Read also: Using Uber in Rio de Janeiro

Book a tour to visit Dona Marta

If you do not want to worry about negotiating with the taxi by yourself, booking a tour to visit the Dona Marta viewpoint may be the best option for you. This is a popular place for sunrise or for budget travel groups, so you can easily find options of tours available.

Hiking to the Dona Marta Viewpoint

There is actually a fourth option: there is a hike that goes up to the Dona Marta viewpoint. However, this hike goes through the community called Dona Marta and the path is not the friendliest in my opinion. It is very steep and I do not recommend going alone, only with someone who knows the way.

I recommend going on a tour if you don’t mind visiting in a group or with an Uber if you want privacy.

When to go to the Dona Marta Viewpoint

The Dona Marta viewpoint is famous for the sunrise views because the sun rises right behind the Sugar Loaf. It is one of the most beautiful and unique views in town.

However, to catch the sunrise at Dona Marta you will have to wake up while it is still dark. I recommend checking when the sun will rise during your visit (as it varies throughout the year) and planning to be there around 40 minutes before. This is because the bright colors of the minutes before the sun comes across the horizon are some of the most beautiful – you will not regret it.

If you don’t want to jump out of bed so early, you can visit the viewpoint any time during the day. We recommend going after midday because then you will not have the sun right in your direction and you will be able to take nicer pictures and enjoy the view better. Our favorite time to go up to the viewpoint is around 2 pm.

The Dona Marta viewpoint is very popular so it gets very busy. During the week you may find fewer people than the weekends, but you should still expect it to be quite full.

Read also: Best viewpoints in Rio de Janeiro

Safety tips for visiting Dona Marta in Rio

The question I get the most when sharing any location to visit in Rio is: “but is it safe?”

Yes, the Dona Marta Viewpoint is very safe. Besides the guards that belong to the National Park, there is always a police patrol up there. As I said, the lookout is on the same road that leads to the Christ so it is a busy area where you will definitely be surrounded by other visitors.

Here are a few safety tips if you will be visiting Dona Marta:

• Keep an eye on your belongings at all times, as usual
• You can walk around on the viewpoint and the helipad as much as you want, but we don’t recommend walking down the road by yourself
• Always make sure you have your trip down arranged before you go up to the viewpoint (especially for those of you who will go up with a taxi or Uber)

Where to stay near the Dona Marta Viewpoint?

The best neighborhoods to stay in if you want to be close to Dona Marta are Santa Teresa and Cosme Velho/Gloria. Here are a few of our recommendations for places to stay:

• Chez George: This incredible hotel has one of the best views of Rio and impeccable decoration. It is one of our most recommended places to stay in Santa Teresa

• Vila Galé Rio de Janeiro: If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, we recommend Vila Galé. With its location just a few hundred meters away from Selaron Steps, this place is a great option if you want to explore Santa Teresa.

What else can you visit near Dona Marta Viewpoint

We recommend combining the visit to Dona Marta with a day exploring the neighborhood of Santa Teresa, one of our favorite areas in Rio. Santa Teresa is very special because it still holds the style and atmosphere of an old Rio, with Portuguese-style houses and a historic tram.

Here are a few of our guides that can help you plan your day with attractions near Dona Marta:

• Christ the Redeemer: how to plan your visit
• Selaron Steps
• Sugar Loaf
• Complete list of the best things to do in Rio