this island is not a popular destination for international visitors, probably because it remains relatively unknown - but it is loved by all cariocas who have been there, or wish they had. 

lively during the week-ends and on carnival, paquetá is the perfect day for a family outing, a romantic day, or to simply relax and read or write.

easy to reach, it takes about 40 minutes from praça xv, the square where rio's boats arrive and depart to the nearby niterói.

the boat ride itself is a fun experience as it gives great photos-ops for the guanabara bay, the mountains surrounding rio including a clear view of the rocky peak dedo de deus (god's finger), the rio-niterói bridge, occasionally some oil platforms passing through the bay, and many fishermen's boats.