Ilha do Mosqueiro

Ilha do Mosqueiro is an island with a string of beaches just outside Belém. The island has 17 km (11 mi) of beaches with freshwater tides, which draw vacationers primarily in the dry season. The largest settlement on the island is the town of Vila (often referred to simply as Mosqueiro) on the westernmost part of the island.

In June 2011, an amphibian identified as belonging to the species Atretochoana eiselti was photographed near Praia de Marahú, on the island of Mosqueiro. A. eiselti, previously known only from two preserved specimens dating from the late 1800s, is the largest known lungless tetrapod.

The island has a tropical climate, with an average temperature of 27 °C (81 °F). The rainy season peaks in March, while the dry season peaks in November.

Buses leave at least every half hour from the terminal at the Vila´s main square, and can be hailed anywhere en route. R$ 3-4, 1 - 1.5 hours. On weekends and holidays there is a daily boat connection.

By bus.

• Ilha do Mosqueiro offers numerous beaches, among which are: Praia do Farol, Praia do Bispo, Praia Grande, Praia Marahú, Praia do Paraíso and Praia do Chapéu Virado. All beaches have excellent infrastructure and wonderful landscapes.
• -1.1324-48.45681 Chapéu Virado (on the plaza bearing its name, at the intersection of avenues 16 de Novembro and Beira Mar). It was built as a modest inn and restaurant of wood construction, dating from the heyday of the rubber plantation industry in the late nineteenth to early twentieth centuries. The hotel was constructed in a mix of European architectural styles, with allowances for the local climate. After the original structure was destroyed by fire, the mayor of Belém and the governor of Pará provided funding for its reconstruction.  
• -1.1328-48.45662 Capelinha do Sagrado Coração de Jesus (Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) (on the plaza Chapéu Virado). The Capelinha was constructed by Guilherme Augusto de Miranda Filho in fulfillment of a promise he made to God while ill on the island, in exchange for the return of his health. The chapel was dedicated on December 17, 1909, by the acting archbishop of Belém. On the second Sunday in December, the chapel holds a special observation for the patron saint of the people of Mosqueiro.  
• Villa Porto Franco (on the plaza Chapéu Virado). A neoclassical Villa Porto Franco that was once home to Portuguese artist José Franco. 
• Sebastião Rabelo de Oliveira Bridge. At a length of 1,430 m (4,690 ft), it connects Mosqueiro with the mainland. 

• -1.147-48.45941 Parque Municipal da Ilha de Mosqueiro (Mosqueiro Island Municipal Park), Travessa Siquiera Mendes. 190 hectares (1.9 km²) of the island have been set aside as a municipal park by the city of Belém, which is seeking to promote ecotourism. The park includes 3 km (1.9 mi) of trails.  (updated Feb 2023)

The Mercado Municipal de Mosqueiro, in Vila, is the island’s main traditional market and the most useful place to look for fresh fish, shrimp, crab, fruit, vegetables, cassava flour, groceries, snacks and simple prepared meals. The rebuilt market also contains stalls selling handicrafts and other everyday goods.

Small supermarkets, pharmacies, bakeries and general stores are concentrated in Vila, Carananduba and the larger beach neighbourhoods. Shops near the beaches sell swimwear, hats, inflatable toys, ice, drinks and basic beach supplies, but prices and selection may be less favourable than in central Mosqueiro or Belém.

Popular local purchases include cassava flour, regional sweets, fruit preserves, handicrafts and roasted or dried shrimp. Check that seafood products are fresh and properly stored before buying, particularly when they will be transported back to Belém.

During weekends, public holidays and the July holiday season, shops and markets can become crowded and some supplies may sell out. Carry Brazilian reais for small purchases, as informal stalls and beach vendors may not accept cards.

Mosqueiro has numerous restaurants, beach kiosks and informal food stalls, particularly around Vila, Chapéu Virado, Farol, Murubira, Paraíso and Baía do Sol. Seafood is the main attraction, with menus commonly featuring fried or grilled fish, shrimp, crab and fish stews. The municipal government has promoted the island as a gastronomic destination and notes the importance of its fish, shrimp and tapioca vendors.

The Mercado Municipal has stalls serving inexpensive meals and snacks alongside its fish, produce and grocery sections. It is a good place to try straightforward local food away from the more tourist-oriented beachfront restaurants.

Typical Pará dishes available on the island may include tacacá, vatapá, maniçoba, caruru, fried fish accompanied by açaí and cassava flour, and tapioca pancakes with sweet or savoury fillings. Ingredients such as jambu, cassava and Amazonian herbs are central to Pará cuisine.

Beach restaurants range from simple plastic-table establishments to larger venues with river views and live music. Ask the price before ordering fish by weight, crab, shared platters or dishes described only as the day’s catch. Service can be slow during crowded weekends, so allow extra time.

Food left exposed in the tropical heat spoils quickly. Choose busy stalls where ingredients are cooked to order, and be cautious with raw seafood, unrefrigerated sauces and food that has been sitting in direct sunlight.

Beach kiosks, restaurants and shops sell bottled water, soft drinks, fruit juices, coconut water and Brazilian beer. Larger restaurants may also offer cocktails and cachaça, while cafés and tapioca stalls serve coffee and sweetened regional fruit drinks.

Bring drinking water when visiting quieter beaches or travelling toward Baía do Sol, Caruara and other outlying parts of the island. Do not rely on finding an open kiosk away from the principal beach areas, especially on weekdays or outside the holiday season.

Use sealed bottled or properly filtered water when uncertain about the local supply. Ice and juices are safest when prepared with treated water and stored hygienically.

Alcohol consumption is common at beachfront restaurants, but avoid drinking before swimming or driving. Mosqueiro’s freshwater beaches experience tides and waves, and road traffic returning toward Belém can be heavy after weekends and holidays.

• -1.1187-48.43781 Pousada Senador, Avenida Beira Mar, 640, Murubira Beach, ☏ +55 98 98121-8991. 7 suites, each with smart TV, minibar and air conditioning. Swimming pool with wet bar, free WiFi. Double R$ 130, triple R$ 220, quadruple R$ 340.  (updated Feb 2023)