7 Best Sights in The Amazon, Brazil

Thirteen km (8 miles) north of Soure, Praia do Pesqueiro is the island's most popular beach. When you stand on the white-sand expanse looking out at the watery horizon, the waves lapping at your feet, it's hard to believe you're not on the ocean. The beach has several thatch-roof restaurant-bars, making this an ideal place to spend an afternoon. You can travel here from Soure by taxi, by mototaxi (for one passenger), or by bike. Ask locals or hotel staff about bike rentals when you arrive in Soure. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: swimming; walking.

Tricky access has ensured that this breathtaking beach and its associated self-sustaining fishing village have remained remote. The village and its neighbor, Vila do Céu, are about a 45-minute drive (19 km/11 miles) north of Soure. You can also access both communities by boat, crossing the river that rounds Praia Pesqueiro by canoe and then walking the remaining distance.

One of the island's most important ports, Camará is where many boats from Belém dock. Buses to Camará pass by the riverside in Soure regularly.

Roughly 23 km (14 miles) southwest of Soure, the small beach-village of Joanes was the island's first settlement. Poke around the ruins of a 16th-century Jesuit mission blown up by the Portuguese when they expelled the order from the area, bask on a beach, and have a meal in one of the town's seafood restaurants. A taxi from Soure costs about R$60 round-trip.

Coconut trees line the 8-km (5-mile) length of this beach, about 20-minutes (a 4-km/2-mile taxi ride) northeast of Soure. Here you may see flocks of scarlet ibis that appear out of nowhere. This beach tends to be much emptier than the nearby Praia da Barra, and you can swim in the small tributaries away from the main river. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; sunset; swimming; walking.

A half-km (quarter-mile) boat ride across the narrow Rio Paracauari, the village of Salvaterra is smaller than Soure but equally charming. Boats called rabetas cost R$1. Don't miss the idyllic beach, and be sure to try an extra-sweet, locally grown pineapple.

With almost 20,000 people, Soure is Ilha do Marajó's largest town. Its many palm and mango trees, simple but brightly painted houses, and shore full of fishing boats make it seem more Caribbean than Amazonian. Make sure to try the local white cheese, called queijo de Marajó, made from buffalo's milk.