the fort is normally open to the public tuesday through sunday, between 10 am and noon - entrance is free of charge. special authorization to visit the fort's beaches praia de dentroand the nearby  praia de foracan be requested in person  at the fortaleza de são joão, on avenida joão luiz alves (no number), urca, by calling  21.2586.2291, or via email  by clicking here.

the forte do pico + são luiz is situated 230 meters above sea level on the hill above the guanabara bay and in the former state capital of rio de janeiro, niterói. 'forte do pico' is part of the largest military fort complex in brazil. its location, high on the hillside, mean that it was ideally placed to guard the entire guanabara bay and santa cruz fortress from enemy attacks