Alter do Chão Sights

  1. Beaches

    A good sandy beach, Praia do Cajuiero, faces the Rio Tapajós on the west side of the village. Beaches further afield are best reached in a car, including Pindobal (8km), Cajutuba (16km), Aramanai (26km) and Ponta de Pedras (28km). Tour operators in town also offer day trips that include stopping at isolated no-name beaches along the main channel.

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  2. Centro de Proteçã ao Peixe-Boi

    Lago Verde is home to the Centro de Proteçã ao Peixe-Boi, (better known as the projeto peixe-boi - 'manatee project') which rehabilitates orphaned and injured manatees. Most are juveniles, and are kept in floating enclosures in the lake. Do not approach the enclosures! Rather, go to the lakeshore shack for a some interesting background, then you can tag along in the boat to see the feedings.

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  3. Ilha do Amor

    When the water is low, you can wade from the waterfront to Ilha do Amor. Otherwise, rowboats will take you across for R$2 per person. On the tip of the island closest town, bevy shacks serve food and drinks year-round, and have chairs set up along the water's edge. For a little more solitude, simply walk further down the island (but be especially careful of stingrays if you do.)

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  4. Lago Verde

    This huge three-fingered lake is surrounded by forest, and has places to swim, snorkel, and spot birds and animals (including a resident family of monkeys). Tour operators offer enjoyable boat tours; if you go in the afternoon, the tour usually ends at Ponta de Cururú, a good spot to see the sunset and river dolphins. Freelance boatmen on the waterfront do the same for cheaper, but typically don't have the same service or equipment that agencies do.

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