Corcovado (Monte Cristo), Rio de Janeiro

Corcovado, meaning "hunchback" in Portuguese, is a mountain in central Rio de Janeiro. The 710-meter (2,329 feet) granite peak is located in the Tijuca Forest, a national park. Sometimes confused with nearby Sugarloaf Mountain, the Corcovado hill lies just west of the city center but is wholly within the city limits and visible from great distances. It is known worldwide for the 38-meter (125 feet) statue of Jesus atop its peak, entitled Cristo Redentor or "Christ the Redeemer".

The most popular attraction of Corcovado mountain is the statue and viewing platform at its peak, drawing over 300,000 visitors per year. From the peak's platform the panoramic view includes downtown Rio, Sugarloaf Mountain, the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (lake), Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Estádio do Maracanã (Maracanã Stadium), and several of Rio's favelas. Cloud cover is common in Rio and the view from the platform is sometimes obscured. Sunny days are recommended for optimal viewing.

Why You Should Visit:
As one of the signature world sites, you must see it. Great view of the city. People come for the "Cristo Redentor", but the view of Rio is equally amazing.

Tip:
Regardless of the visibility, go up there. Though the view may get patchy, seeing the mountains peek through clouds feels special and the statue is impressive – come rain, hail or shine.
The train up to the top takes around 30 mins each way. Or you could just scale the mountain... yup, people actually mountain climb up here.
If you do go by train, make sure to book tickets in advance and allow at least 2-3 hrs (while exercising patience and good humour).
They make great caipirinhas at the station so if you have a bit of a wait just get yourself a drink and take a load off.
If you're afraid of heights, you still can do it! Just pop a calming pill before the train and you'll be fine.
You can also take a van (not the train) so you can stop by the Mirante Dona Marta observatory.