The 15 Best Day Trips from São João de Meriti
How far each place is, what to see there, and a plan for the day.
Free day-by-day itinerary in seconds. No account needed to start.
There are 15 good day trips from São João de Meriti, Brazil, led by Rio de Janeiro, Juiz de Fora, Niterói. The closest is Barra da Tijuca, about 35 min by car, and 6 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.
Built from 15 nearby places, with sights from real traveler trips, on Packy AI. Last updated November 2026 by the Packy AI Travel Team.
Day trips from São João de Meriti
- 1
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Half-day tripAbout 35 min by car23 km south-east of São João de MeritiWhat travelers see in Rio de Janeiro
- Christ the Redeemer - Visit one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
- Sugarloaf Mountain - Take a cable car ride to Sugarloaf Mountain for stunning views of the city and coastline, especially at sunset.
- Museu do Amanhã - This unique science museum offers interactive exhibits that explore sustainability and the future of our planet.
- 2
Juiz de Fora, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 50 min by car116 km north of São João de Meriti - 3
Niterói, Brazil
Half-day tripAbout 45 min by car29 km east of São João de Meriti - 4
Barra da Tijuca, Brazil
Half-day tripAbout 35 min by car22 km south of São João de Meriti - 5
Petrópolis, Brazil
Half-day tripAbout 45 min by car39 km north-east of São João de Meriti - 6
Volta Redonda, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 15 min by car81 km west of São João de Meriti - 7
Magé, Brazil
Half-day tripAbout 45 min by car38 km north-east of São João de Meriti - 8
Itaboraí, Brazil
Half-day tripAbout 1 hr by car53 km east of São João de Meriti - 9
Cabo Frio, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 2 hr 10 min by car138 km east of São João de Meriti - 10
Maricá, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 5 min by car58 km east of São João de Meriti - 11
Nova Friburgo, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 40 min by car104 km north-east of São João de Meriti - 12
Barra Mansa, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 20 min by car87 km west of São João de Meriti - 13
Angra dos Reis, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 35 min by car99 km west of São João de Meriti - 14
Teresópolis, Brazil
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 10 min by car59 km north-east of São João de Meriti - 15
Rio das Ostras, Brazil
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 20 min by car150 km east of São João de Meriti
A sample day: São João de Meriti to Rio de Janeiro
- 08:30Leave São João de Meriti
- 09:05Arrive in Rio de Janeiro (35 min drive)
- 09:20Christ the Redeemer
- 11:20Lunch
- 12:35Sugarloaf Mountain
- 14:20Museu do Amanhã
- 15:50Head back to São João de Meriti
- 16:25Home in São João de Meriti
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best day trips from São João de Meriti?
- The best day trips from São João de Meriti are Rio de Janeiro, Juiz de Fora, Niterói, Barra da Tijuca, Petrópolis. The closest is Barra da Tijuca, about 35 min away by car.
- What is the closest day trip from São João de Meriti?
- Barra da Tijuca is the closest, 22 km south of São João de Meriti, roughly 35 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
- Where can I go within an hour of São João de Meriti?
- 6 places are within about an hour's drive of São João de Meriti: Barra da Tijuca (35 min), Rio de Janeiro (35 min), Niterói (45 min), Magé (45 min), Petrópolis (45 min), Itaboraí (1 hr).
- What is the biggest city near São João de Meriti for a day out?
- Rio de Janeiro is the largest city in day-trip range, 23 km south-east of São João de Meriti and about 35 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
- Where can I go for a weekend from São João de Meriti?
- For a weekend away from São João de Meriti, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Rio das Ostras (150 km, 2 hr 20 min), Cabo Frio (138 km, 2 hr 10 min), Juiz de Fora (116 km, 1 hr 50 min), Nova Friburgo (104 km, 1 hr 40 min). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
- How far is too far for a day trip from São João de Meriti?
- Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Rio das Ostras at 150 km, around 2 hr 20 min by car, which is better as a long day or an overnight stay.
Ready to plan your São João de Meriti trip?
Free day-by-day itinerary in seconds. No account needed to start.
Keep exploring