Ilha do Marajó
Ilha do Marajó is an island at the mouth of the Amazon river, just off Belém in Pará. Apparently the world's largest fresh water island (some 40,000 km², an area larger than that of Switzerland), it has a distinct birdlife and also huge water buffalo farms. It is bathed by the Amazon, Pará and Tocantins rivers and by the Atlantic Ocean. Marajó was once the center of a large and sophisticated indigenous civilization. Its main cities are Soure, considered the "capital", and Salvaterra.
Understand
Marajó has beautiful river beaches where you can't see the other side. Many of them are completely unexplored. It also has the largest herd of buffalo in Brazil.
From December to June, during the flood season, the eastern part of the island is soaked.
Get in
The main access to the island is by ship, which departs from the port of Belém and arrives in Soure, in a journey of approximately 4 hours. Enasa - Empresa de Navegação da Amazônia, ☏ +91 3242-5870, operates large ships, with tickets for R$9.00. Other companies are Arapari, which makes the crossing with small boats or speedboats (1 hr 30 min), Paraense, with small ships, and Henvil, which also makes the journey by ferry (R$22.00). Tickets in the port of Belém.
By air taxi, the journey takes 20 to 30 minutes. Information at Brabo ☏ +91 3233-4884, Soure ☏ +91 9981-0794, Kovacs ☏ +91 3233-06065, Cândido ☏ +91 3244-4024, among many other companies. Shipping can vary greatly; so check with several companies.
Get around
Local buses will take you from the ferry landing onwards. Salvaterra and Soure are the most visited spots, but if you are only in for the day, you might want to keep closer.
See
- Pesqueiro Beach, in Soure
- Araruna Beach, in Soure
- Joanes Beach, 15 km from Salvaterra, with ruins from colonial times
- Praia Grande , in Salvaterra
- Mexiana Island, under the Equator, is a private island with a resort, and is an 8-hour boat ride from Belém or 50 minutes by plane.
Eat
Fish, such as tucunaré, pirarucu and tamuatá, seasoned with roots following indigenous traditions, buffalo meat, Tacacá, typical food from Pará, Piracui cake