paquetá is an island situated in the middle of guanabara bay, between rio de janeiro and the neighboring city of niterói.

yet, it is the lifestyle found on the island, not even the fact that it is surrounded by water, that makes paquetá arguably the most unique of all the carioca neighborhoods.

for many, the realization that paquetá is actually a part of the city of rio, as opposed to an autonomous municipality, is a complete surprise.