ICOARACI (BELEM)

The port of Icoaraci is your gateway to Belém, which is the capital of Pará State, Brazil. It’s a river port of 1.4 million people, and was first settled by the Portuguese in 1616 as a gateway into the Amazon from the sea.

Note: Belém is 13mi/21km south of Icoraci, and the drive is approximately 1 hour each way. A common drop off point is Docas Station, which is a converted warehouse full of shops, restaurants, and even nice displays about Beléms history.

One thing you’ll notice about Belém is its abundance of greenspaces. Botanical Garden Bosque Rodrigues Alves is often regarded as the most beautiful, and you’ll see a wide range of plants and flowers from the Amazon. Keep going green with a visit to the Mangrove of the Herons. Here you’ll find a butterfly museum, ponds, food vendors, and a pleasant boardwalk leading to a lookout over Rio Guama. Or perhaps visit the Emilio Goeldi Museum, Zoo, and Botanical Park to learn about the region’s fauna, flora, and history.

Want to dive into city life? Start at the Mercado Ver-o-Peso, the largest open-air market in Latin America. It has everything from fruits to baskets, and is the perfect place to experience the bustling life of Belém. Other sites to see include the Da Paz Theatre and Belém Cathedral.

To learn more about Belém’s past, don’t miss the Forte do Castelo, which was the first structure build by the Portuguese when they arrived in 1616. Behind the fort is Casa Das Onze Janela, which serves as an impressive gallery.  

Tip: If you’re eager to dive into the Amazon, check with your ship about jungle walk tour opportunities!