rio de janeiro has the oldest tram system in south america, and parts of it are still in operation - the santa teresa tram is the last proper tram service in operation in the continent, running since the late 19th century.

horse drawn trams have actually operated in rio de janeiro since 1859, and a tram service has been in existence since this date, meaning that rio has one of the oldest tram networks in the world - this bonde is one of the few tram systems in the world that still has an old style tram car, with its open cars and trolley poles.

one of the first services in operation was a very short line in between the city centre and the neighborhood of tijuca - in 1862 steam power took over from the horses which also gave rio another title for the first steam powered tram in south america, although the service did not last long.