“Polluted and turbid.” That is how the Rio Cabuçu is described. It is one of the largest rivers in Rio de Janeiro. We are standing near this river now.
The Rio Cabuçu begins its journey in the Serra de Santíssimo. It winds its way down to the railway line. The river then accompanies the railway. It goes as far as Senador Vasconcelos.
From there the Rio Cabuçu flows through the streets. These streets are Artur Rios, D. Sebastião and Belmiro Valverde. Now the river is in Campo Grande. It receives the Rio da Prata also known as Rio Morto.
The Cabuçu continues. It flows between the roads of Mato Alto and Magarça. Finally it empties into the mangroves. These mangroves are in Pedra de Guaratiba. It flows into Sepetiba Bay.
The river’s total length is about 16 kilometers. That is about 10 miles. The Rio Cabuçu crosses different areas. It shows the natural and urban mix of Rio de Janeiro.
The Rio Cabuçu runs through Nova Iguaçu. Access to the neighborhood is via the Estrada de Madureira. Today it is known as Av. Abílio Augusto Távora. Also you can take the Estrada Cabuçu-Queimados. This connects to Via Dutra and the neighboring city.
Several bus lines pass through the Cabuçu neighborhood. They link Nova Iguaçu to other places. These are Nilópolis, Km 32, Seropédica, Itaguaí and Queimados. There are also buses to Caxias. You can also get to the Rio neighborhoods of Campo Grande and Sepetiba.
Cabuçu is a route. It is for those leaving the lowlands. They are heading to the beaches of the Green Coast. In the neighborhood there is a health center. There is also a 24-hour UPA. You can find supermarkets and pharmacies here. Bakeries are available. There are also schools, spiritist centers and churches.
Cabuçu is between the Serra de Madureira and Serra do Marapicu. Both are within Nova Iguaçu. It borders neighborhoods like Palhada, Aliança and Ipiranga. You can also reach Valverde and Três Marias from here.
The Rio Cabuçu is more than just a waterway. It is vital to the region. It affects the environment, the people and transport.