By bicycle from Nilópolis to São João de Meriti

This cycling route takes you from Nilópolis, a bustling municipality in Rio’s Baixada Fluminense region, over to the neighboring town of São João de Meriti. The ride is about 6.3 km, making it perfect for a leisurely outing or a quick commute. Most of the way is along quiet roads (so you won’t have to deal with too much traffic), and there’s even a dedicated cycleway for about a quarter of the distance, making things safer and more relaxed.

Although there’s a bit of up and down, with around 84 meters of ascent and 98 meters of descent, nothing is too steep—the highest point is just under 55 meters above sea level. You’ll pass through typical suburban scenes of Greater Rio, with Nilópolis known for its samba schools, while São João de Meriti is famous as the “formigueiro humano” (human anthill) for its bustling neighborhoods. Expect mostly unknown surfaces, but there’s a good stretch of paved and asphalt roads. Great route if you want a quick taste of Baixada life!