Brazil Travel Blog

As well as the destination card on Belém, (Destination: Belém), our contributor Daniel has prepared an anotated map with the main points of interest on the capital of Pará.

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As usual, you can check the map out here or open it on full screen mode at GoogleMaps.

[from our special guest Daniel]

Belém do Pará is the capital of the state of Pará, in the north of Brazil, near the mouth of the mighty Amazon. It is known as the “metropolis of the Amazon” and it has accumulated a rich history since its foundation 400 years ago. During the rubber fever it became the first Latin American city to have electricity, and its splendour was such that it was known as the “Paris of the tropics”. This rich historical heritage, combined with the native Indian and African influences, have resulted in a very interesting city surrounded by lush jungle.

WE LIKE THE MOST: Its food. The sunset seen over the river. The parts of the city that are being restored. The recovery of the riverfront.

WE LIKE THE LEAST: Dirt and a certain state of neglect that resemble dangerously New Delhi. The Mangal das Garças, and its faded scarlet ibis and its fridge for butterflies. The lack of interest on tourism shown by the authorities. The chaotic traffic.

HOW TO GET THERE: We do not advice driving to Belém. It is connected by air to plenty of other Brazilian cities. The Amazon river can be used too, from Manaus or Santarém.

CAREFUL WITH: The chuva da tarde (afternoon rain); every day at three o’clock there is a heavy and brief dowpour. Do stay indoors while it lasts. As in any other major Brazilian city, pay special attention to your personal safety. In the area around the Ver-O-Peso market there are pickpockets operating.

FAVOURITE PLACES: The Bosque Rodrigues Alves and the Jardim Zoobotánico Emilio Goeldi. Complexo Feliz Lusitania. Ver-O-Peso Market. Estação das Docas. The Praça da República on a Sunday morning. Icoarací.

PIECE OF ADVICE:

• the restaurants in the Ver-O-Peso market are an unforgettable and really cheap experience.
• açai is the staple diet of Belém. Although it has become fashionable in the rest of the country, what you find in other regions of Brazil is a substitute. In Belém açai is eaten pure, usually really thick, with no other accompaniment than manioc flour. If you find it too bitter you can add sugar to it.
• the worst time of the year to visit Belém goes from December to May, when it can rain non-stop all day long.
• even though most of the Historic Centre is in a state of neglect, it is worth walking from rua Siqueira Mendes to Praça do Carmo, always paying attention to your own safety.
• your gastronomic taste of Belém should include the jambú pizza from the Café Imaginario, any ice-cream from the Cairú ice-cream parlours and an Amazon fish at the Remanso do Peixe.
• the best place to buy marajoara ceramics is Icoarací. If you are looking for something more sophisticated, a good place in terms of creativity and variety is the Polo Joalheiro Sâo José Liberto.
• Icoarací also has a riverfront with lots of bars. It’s a good and traditional alternative to the interesting Estação das Docas in Belém itself.
• Cotijuba and Mosqueiro are islands that can be easily reached from Belém and that will allow you a close contact with the Amazon jungle. You will also be able to enjoy a river beach with waves!

LINKS: Belém City Council, Paratur, Circuito Landi.

WEATHER FORECAST: The weather in Belém for the next 10 days

[Don’t forget to check out the list of other destinations already covered in this blog, here]

[from our special guest Daniel]

The island of Marajó, in the state of Pará, north of Brazil, is the largest island to be completely surrounded by freshwater in the world. It is larger than Switzerland. The main touristic points of the island are found near the towns of Salvaterra and Soure, on the east of the island, separated by the river Paracauari. The symbol of Marajó are its buffalos, a species that adapted perfectly to the large flooded plains of the island. They are tame and you will find huge herds of them. The local police force mount on them!

WE LIKE THE MOST: the wide variety of landscapes on a lush environment. Peace, quiet and safety. Buffalo cheese and meet. The really sweet pineapples of Salvaterra.

WE LIKE THE LEAST: the distance and the terrible communication system, with truly uncomfortable boats. The non-existent tourist infrastructure. The erosion that is finishing Salvaterra up while the powers-that-be do nothing to prevent it.

HOW TO GET THERE: by sea there are daily boats leaving from Belém going to Camará harbour (ticket around R$ 14). If you want to take a car, the ferry leaves from Icoarací, each cars costs approximately R$70 and the crossing takes between three and four hours. From Camará harbour to Salvaterra there is a bus (R$2). The ferry crossing to Soure is free for pedestrians and costs around R$6 per car. There is a new boat that goes directly to Soure, takes between four and five hours.

CAREFUL WITH: the rocking of the boat; those prone to sea-sickness will have a really rough time. Very strong winds blowing at the beaches - the locals love it as it mitigates the heat. Distances are huge, you need some means of transportation to get you to places.

FAVOURITE PLACES: praia do Pesqueiro in Soure; Fazenda Bom Jesús, in Soure; Joanes, in Salvaterra.

PIECE OF ADVICE:

• do visit a fazenda, some of them offer accommodation and trips.
• if you take the ferry from Icoarací, buy a first-class ticket, you will be able to stay on the deck and enjoy the crossing.
• Joanes, a tiny village near Salvaterra, is a must: ruins of a Jesuit Mission from the XVII century, cliffs, a fishing village and a very nice beach.
• the island is perfect for those riding a bicycle. It’s plain and there is hardly any traffic. Some pousadas offer bicycles to their guests.
• another way of getting in touch with the natural environment is to navigate on canoes through the numerous igarapés (streams).
• the best time of the year to visit the island goes from June to December, when the rain diminishes and the level of the Amazon is lower, uncovering the beaches and making it possible to travel around the island.

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LINKS: Secretaría de Turismo de Pará

WEATHER FORECAST: The weather in Salvaterra for the next 10 days

[Don’t forget to check out the list of other destinations already covered in this blog, here]