By bicycle from São João de Meriti to Nilópolis

Hop on your bike for a breezy ride from São João de Meriti to Nilópolis, two vibrant cities just outside Rio de Janeiro. The route covers about 6.5 km, and most of the way you’ll find yourself cruising along quiet roads — perfect for a relaxed pedal without too much traffic stress. About a quarter of your journey has dedicated cycleways, so you’ll feel safe while taking in the local sights.

There’s a bit of climbing (just over 100 meters of ascent), but nothing too tough for casual riders. Most of the surfaces are a mix (with some missing data), but expect mainly paved and asphalt sections—watch out for occasional bumps and street seams.

São João de Meriti is known as the “Formigueiro das Américas” (America’s Anthill) due to its busy, densely-packed neighborhoods. As you roll into Nilópolis, you’ll be entering a city famous for its samba school, Beija-Flor—one of Rio’s Carnival legends!

Take it easy, enjoy the local energy, and maybe end your ride with a snack in Nilópolis’ bustling center.