Santa Teresa at a glance
Santa Teresa sits on a hill above the city center. It is known for narrow streets, art studios and the yellow tram, the Bonde, which runs from the center up into the district. The tram is operated by the state of Rio de Janeiro. This site is an independent guide and has no link to the operator.
Santa Teresa fits well on a day when you are not going to the statue, or as a stop before or after it. Do not count on a direct tram connection to the Corcovado train station in Cosme Velho. Plan the two as separate trips.
The Bonde tram: fare, hours and tickets
Details as published by the operator in 2026.
| Topic | What the operator lists |
|---|---|
| Fare | BRL 20, no half tickets |
| Payment | Cash, debit card or credit card; Pix is not accepted |
| Monday to Friday | 08:00–18:30 |
| Saturday, Sunday, holidays | 09:00–17:00 |
| Interval | 15 minutes |
| Capacity | 32 people per car |
| Advance sales | None; you buy on the spot |
| Where to buy | Carioca terminal; Curvelo subject to availability |
There is no advance sale, and passengers must be present at the platform when they buy. When it is busy, sales can end before 16:00. The tram must be left at Carioca, at Rua Lélio Gama 2 in the center. Some local listings give shorter hours, for example weekdays 08:00–17:30 and weekends 10:00–15:00, so plan for the shorter window. The operator page can show the tram as closed, so check the live status before you set out.
Our picks: Santa Teresa tours
Two guided walks that include the historic tram.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Santa Teresa tram, Selarón Steps and Lapa walk
A guided walk, the tram ride, South Zone hotel transfer, taxes and fees are included. Food, drinks and tips are extra.
Check availability →
Cultural walk through Santa Teresa
A local guide, the historic tram and museum visits when the houses are open, which are free. Food, drinks including the closing toast, tips and getting to the meeting point are extra.
Check availability →Rio tours that include Santa Teresa
Guided city days with the tram, the steps and the Corcovado, with live prices and availability.
Selaron Steps
A staircase covered in tiles.
The Escadaria Selarón is the work of the Chilean artist Jorge Selarón. It connects Rua Joaquim Silva in Lapa with Rua Pinto Martins in Santa Teresa. The tourism board lists the address as Rua Manuel Carneiro, no number. The tiles come from Brazil and from other countries.
The steps are a short stop, not a half day. They are easy to combine with the tram or with a walk through Lapa. Both areas are covered by the general warnings for Rio, so keep your phone and valuables out of sight and avoid walking alone after dark.
A simple half day
Order the stops around the tram hours.
Go up in the morning
Buy your ticket at Carioca early, because sales can end before 16:00 when it is busy. Tickets cannot be bought in advance and you must be present when you pay.
Walk the district
Spend the middle of the day on foot among the streets and studios, and add the Selarón Steps, which link Santa Teresa with Lapa.
Be back before the late hours
Weekend service ends at 17:00 and some local listings give even earlier times. Plan to ride back with time to spare, and remember that the tram must be left at Carioca.
Studios, extensions and safety
What to expect on the hill.
Art studios
Santa Teresa has many artists, but studios do not keep fixed daily hours. An open-studios program called Arte de Portas Abertas runs on set dates. Check the dates before you plan a visit around it.
Line extensions
The 2025 transport yearbook of the state describes the Paula Mattos line as in operation and the Silvestre works as finished in early 2026. That does not mean a regular Silvestre timetable or a through connection to the Corcovado train. Ask at Carioca which stop the tram reaches that day.
Safety
The German Foreign Office lists Santa Teresa, Lapa, Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and Botafogo among the districts affected by robberies. Carry little, keep valuables out of sight and do not resist if you are robbed. Do not follow a map shortcut into an unknown street. The safety guide has more.
Staying here
Santa Teresa has an art and tram setting that suits some travelers. Check the walking route from any accommodation to the tram stop. See where to stay for areas compared.
Combine it with the rest of Rio
Related guides.
Santa Teresa: frequently asked questions
How much is the Santa Teresa tram?
BRL 20 in 2026 according to the operator. There are no half tickets. You pay in cash or by debit or credit card, and Pix is not accepted.
What are the tram hours?
The operator lists Monday to Friday 08:00–18:30 and weekends and holidays 09:00–17:00, with trams every 15 minutes. Some local listings give shorter hours, so allow for that, and check the live status before you go.
Can I buy tram tickets in advance?
No. Tickets are sold at the stop, at Carioca and at Curvelo subject to availability, and you must be present when you buy. In busy periods sales can end before 16:00.
Where are the Selarón Steps?
They connect Rua Joaquim Silva in Lapa with Rua Pinto Martins in Santa Teresa. The tourism board lists the address as Rua Manuel Carneiro, no number.
Does the tram go to the Christ statue?
Not directly. Do not count on a tram connection to the Corcovado train station in Cosme Velho. Read the getting there guide to plan the trip to the statue.
Is Santa Teresa safe?
It is among the districts the German Foreign Office names for robberies. Go in daylight, carry little and stay on busy streets.