Rio's best two views -- from the Sugarloaf and the Corcovado -- are both ticket-charging attractions. But in a city with so much geography it's impossible to fence off everything. What follows are views you get for free.
Smack in the middle of Botafogo is the Mirante do Pasmado. It is walkable (enter off Rua General Severino, close to the Shopping Rio Plaza), although it would probably take you at least 30 minutes. A lot easier is to take a taxi up and then walk back down. The views of Sugarloaf, the bay, and the Christ are quite spectacular. At night, there are a few barracas (kiosks) where Cariocas like to go after a night of clubbing. Another great viewpoint can be found in Leblon.
Just a short 3km (2-mile) drive uphill along Estrada da Canoa from the beach at Sao Conrado, the Canoas Lookout (Mirante de Canoas) provides a view of São Conrado, Rocinha, and the Pedra Dois Irmaos near Leblon, and looking back uphill, the 2,100-foot Pedra Bonita from whence the hang gliders launch. Carry on up the road for 2km (1 1/4 miles), then turn left on Caminho da Pedra Bonita, and you too can stand by the hang gliders as they launch.
The military fort in Leme (see Forte do Leme) offers the most spectacular views of Copacabana, the Bay of Guanabara and Sugarloaf. At R$3/US$1.25, it's effectively free.
