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.

You can also rent a kayak at the waterfront and explore the lagoon on your own; just be alert to for strong waves and currents. Stingrays are a concern in shallow areas of Ilha do Amor, Lago Verde and in the river. One of their nicknames is 'Wish-You-Were-Dead Fish' if that's any indication of the painfulness of their sting. Fortunately, rays are very skittish and prefer muddy areas over sandy ones, which means they're fairly uncommon in busy areas of Ilha do Amor. That said, always shuffle your feet when entering and exiting the water - this will kick up a cloud of sand in front of you and scare rays away. You can also use a long reed or stick to poke the sand in front of you. They only sting when stepped on, so a little caution goes a long ways. Be especially alert in the morning and afternoon, and any shallow areas that don't commonly have swimmers.