You don’t want to miss it when you’re in town, a visit to Rio de Janeiro’s own Central Park. It is called Aterro do Flamengo, or just Aterro as locals say. Wedged between Flamengo beach and the Flamengo neighborhood, Aterro (296 acres, or 120 ha)  is a great destination for cyclists to bike in Rio. Full with spacious bike lanes, you’ll be pedaling and enjoying an awesome scenery, and at the same time burn some calories. 

Designed by Brazil’s famous landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, the park showcases exotic native plants and trees. The subjective ‘native’ is important, because Marx, was in a way a pioneer in his time (the park opened in 1965): Aterro is the first park in Rio with emphasis on local plants and trees only, whereas in the past parks always also had trees and plants from other countries to make them moet exclusive, at least that was the idea.

Part of our Panoramic bike tour goes through the park and it is always to great joy for the participants. On the weekends the park is a refuge for the locals, coming from the different neighborhoods to this wonderful park. Armed with coolers, snacks and bringing lots of friends and family members, cariocas hangout and chill in the shade of the trees, while drinking a cold beer.

On a Rio bike tour you will also notice a skatepark in the park, basketball courts and other spaces for sports activities. During the Olympics of 2016 the marathon ended here, while cycling races also passed through this area. 

Maybe the best day to visit the park is on a Sunday. The main roads, that separate the park from the neighborhood, will be closed for cars. Everybody can roam around free on their bikes, skateboards or run to enjoy the park to the fullest. You can enjoy a visit to the garden of the Palacio da Republica in Catete, or go for a delicious açaí at the famous bar Tacaca do Norte in Flamengo. They are just a few steps away from the park across the street.

If you would like to discover more parks in Rio de Janeiro, go have a look at this article at our travel blog Gringo-Rio.