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The "Sunset no Parque Bondinho" is a DJ set at golden hour on top of Morro da Urca, with the whole city glowing below you. The catch is that almost all the useful information is in Portuguese, which leaves a lot of international visitors unsure what to expect. Here's the practical guide, based on our own visit, so you can enjoy it without the guesswork.
It's included in your ticket
You normally don't buy a separate ticket for the sunset party. Occasionally there may be a special event with its own entry, so it's worth checking the details on your Sugarloaf ticket plan, but as a rule no special ticket is needed. Access to the DJ event is already included in your standard Parque Bondinho Pão de Açúcar cable-car ticket, so if you're going up Sugarloaf anyway, you can time your visit to catch it, no extra booking, no separate line.
Know the schedule before you go
This is where people get caught out. The event runs in the late afternoon, and the DJ sets generally start around 16:30, but the exact hours and lineup change from month to month and season to season. Always check the current schedule (the park updates it on its official site and Instagram, @parquebondinho) before you plan your day, rather than assuming a fixed time.
Go for the sunset, it's worth it
The sunset itself is the star. As the light turns gold over Guanabara Bay and the city, the music and the view come together. It's chic but relaxed, with the feel of a Riviera terrace lounge, so you can dress up a little and soak it in with a drink in hand.
Run for the cable car on the way down
When the sunset ends, everyone leaves at once, and the queues to take the cable car back down get long. The moment you've had your fill of the view, move quickly to the cable-car line rather than lingering, or you'll be standing in a slow queue in the dark. Getting ahead of the crowd is the difference between a smooth exit and a frustrating wait.
A few quick extras
Getting there: most people ride the cable car up from the Praia Vermelha base station in Urca. By metro, get off at Botafogo.
When: the event typically runs Thursday to Sunday, with extra dates added in the summer high season.
Arrive early: come with time to spare to explore the viewpoints and grab a drink before the set builds, and to guarantee a good spot.
After dark: Urca is one of Rio's most peaceful, upscale neighbourhoods, perfect for dinner once you're back down.
Originally published at jadepeak.com.
