For anyone planning an Amazon riverboat trip finding reliable information on schedules / timetables has become something of a quest for the Holy Grail. If a few days ago we pointed at some tips on Amazon riverboat trips, today we’re going to look at the scheduled services across the Amazon region.

There isn’t a single unified site consolidating information from the different companies sailing the Amazon. As a matter of fact, you’d be pressed hard to find a single website belonging to a sailing company listing its schedules and fares.

Navegando e Lendo (“Sailing and Reading”) is an NGO trying to promote reading across the Amazon. Their website contains a wonderful page listing most of the big boats sailing the Amazon. The list is here: Barcos.

The information is grouped according to the three different boarding points in the city of Manaus (there are three). For the three piers (if you could call them that) the following information is offered:

• On the column Barco, the name of the boat.
• On the column Destino, the destination, including the different ports of call along the way.
• On the column Saída, the days of the week with scheduled departures.
• On the column Hora, the departure time.
• On the column Fone, the contact telephone number.
• On the column Tempo de viagem previsto, the length of the trip.

As it is not an official list, we encourage you (and so do the authors of the listing) to contact the company to confirm the departures and schedules. Do not plan your trip based on the information that appears on the list or, if you do, make sure you have a plan B in hand. Schedules are changed, navigations can be cancelled.

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RELATED POSTS:
Amazon riverboat trips
an Amazon adventure: trips around Alter do Chão
“cheia” and “seca” on the Amazon region
tourism on the Amazon region is a foreign affair
destination: Algodoal
destination: Belém
destination: Ilha do Marajó
destination: Manaus
the Meeting of the Waters and the Janauary Ecological Park, near Manaus

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Next year’s edition of the World Social Forum will take place in the city of Belém, capital of the state of Pará, in the north region of Brazil. This blog has an entry with information on the city (Destination: Belém). I have put together this new entry with information on how to get to Belém.

I can’t give detailed instructions for every single country on the globe, so I’m just focusing on three entry points to Brazil: São Paulo/Río de Janeiro, for those coming from the south of the continent, Europe, North America and Asia; Manaus, for those coming from across the Andes and the United States (Delta has a direct flight from Atlanta to Manaus and Tam from Miami to Manaus); and Fortaleza for those arriving from Europe (TAP has a direct flight from Lisbon to Fortaleza).

From Belém there are only direct international flights to French Guiana (Cayenne) and Suriname (Paramaribo), of no interest whatsoever for most travellers. To find out more about direct flights from your country to Brazil have a look at the list we prepared at D Airfare: Direct flights to Brazil.

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1. FROM SÃO PAULO/RIO DE JANEIRO

1.1 BY PLANE
Among all the main Brazilian airlines, only Gol and Tam have flights to Belém both from São Paulo and Rio. Check their sites for more info.

1.2 BY BUS
Departing both from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, bus companies Itapemirim and Transbrasiliana have buses to Belém. The price of a single ticket is R$370 from São Paulo. The trip lasts 51 horas. We advice you to compare the cost of flying with the cost of a 2-day trip (you will have to have breakfast, lunch and dinner during that time).

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2. FROM MANAUS

2.2 BY PLANE
Both Gol and Tam have direct flights from Manaus to Belém.

2.3 BY BOAT
The boat departs from the port of Manaus and it takes three days to reach Belém. Prices start from R$250 sleeping on a hammock on what could be described as third-class accommodation. If you want a cabin, expect to fork out a minimum of an additional R$200. There are several boats doing that route during the week (there are no daily sailings).

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3. FROM FORTALEZA

3.2 BY PLANE
Both Gol and Tam have direct flights from Fortaleza to Belém.

3.3 BY BUS
Two companies travel from Fortaleza to Belém: la Itapemirim and Expresso Guanabara. The price of a single ticket is R$195. The trip takes 24 horas. During the last couple of years buses have been robbed at gunpoint on the stretch between São Luís and Belém. We advice you to avoid night travel at all costs.

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We have an entry dedicated to Belém here on the blog: Destination: Belém.

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[from our special guest Daniel]

Algodoal is an island in the state of Pará, north of Brazil. Up until three years ago there was no electricity on the island. When it arrived, it was decided there wouldn’t be street lighting to preserve the rustic character of the villages. There are no motor vehicles on the island, nor there is asphalt on the roads. One of its main attractions is the Princesa beach, a desert island for most of its 14 km of length, chosen by Time magazine as one of the most beautiful beaches of Brazil.

WE LIKE THE MOST: to spend the day resting at the beach or at the lago da Princesa. Walking along the village day or night and not coming across a single motor vehicle. The sunset from any bar at the Caixa D’água beach.

WE LIKE THE LEAST: its remoteness: it’s a six-hour trip from Belém. Basic services are hard to find. Lack of environmental conscience – specially considering the island is a Environmental Protection Area.

HOW TO GET THERE: there are several daily buses from Belém to Marudá harbour. It takes them four hours to cover the 163 km separating both places. Once in Marudá you have to take a traditional popopó boat, that reaches the island in 40 minutes. It costs R$5. Alternatively, there is another boat leaving every day from the Maracaná harbour that reaches Algodoal in 3 hours.

CAREFUL WITH: the sun, sunblock is a must. The crossing to the island can be quite rough at times.

FAVOURITE PLACES: Lago da Princesa, Playa da Princesa.

PIECE OF ADVICE:

• hire someone to help you carry your luggage once you arrive in Algodoal. Most of the pousadas are quite far away from the arrival point.
• the island is packed during January, July and the bank holidays; an ideal time if you are looking for parties & fun. The rest of the year you will find absolute peace and quiet.
• there are not ATM’s on the island. There are a few shops where you can do your basic shopping.
• do spend the weekend at the island. The carimbó (traditional music from Pará) party takes place on Saturdays at the Bar do Carimbó.
• on the way to the Lago da Princesa take the path that goes through the interior: the first stretch is done on a canoe through the mangrove swamp, and then it’s a 40 minute walk through several different ecosystems. On the way back, return walking along the beach or on a cart.
• if you get sea-sick when you travel by boat, take the boat that leaves from Maracanâ; although the trip takes longer the sailing is less rough.
• careful with the areas covered in mud. It looks harmless but it’s really sticky.

View Larger Map

LINKS: Algodoal.com

WEATHER FORECAST: The weather in Algodoal (Marudá) for the next 10 days

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

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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.

View larger map

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

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[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]

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[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.

View Larger Map

ACCOMMODATION: list of hotels and pousadas at Ilha do Marajó

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]

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