rio de janeiro shares a deep connection to her sister city niterói, just across the guanabara bay - shared historical, social, and cultural roots dating back hundreds of years resulted in the residents of these cities going back and forth between the two for a variety of reasons.

many residents of rio work in niterói and, vice versa, many who live in niterói are employed in rio - a variety of schools, events, and natural landmarks in both towns attract people and create a constant and intense traffic of people at all times between the two regions.

rio de janeiro and niterói are joined by the president costa-silva bridge, built in 1974 and of extreme importance, however to meet the ever increasing number of commuters, a ferry service is also available.