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Although Belem is over a hundred kilometres from the ocean, there are some good river beaches nearby, all of them popular with city crowds at weekends and holidays. At the village of ICOARACI , only 18km or about half an hour by bus from the bus stop next to the Hotel Central on Avenida Presidente Vargas, there's a reasonable beach, and this is also the best place to visit local ceramic workshops and the cheapest place to buy the very fine pottery. Still very much based on the ancient designs of the local Indians, the skill involved in shaping, engraving, painting and firing these pots is remarkable. Some of the ceramics are very large and, except to the expert eye, barely distinguishable from the relics in the Goeldi museum. Apart from Icoaraci, the closest and most popular of the beaches are Outeiro and Mosqueiro, both easy day-trips. OUTEIRO , a picturesque and often busy little town, can be reached in under an hour by bus and ferry. MOSQUEIRO , some 70km north of Belem, is actually an island, though it's well connected by road and bridge. The beaches are beautiful and relatively unspoilt, but they can get very crowded at holiday times; there are all the usual beach facilities - stalls selling chilled coconut milk, bars, good restaurants and a few hotels. Praia Murubira , with safe swimming and sailing, is probably the best of those close to Mosqueiro town. Of the other beaches here, Praia Farol is popular and preferable to Praia Areao, which is closer to the main praca and bus terminal. Buses run frequently from Belem's Rodoviaria, a journey of around two hours. At Carnaval and during the July Festival de Verao, Mosqueiro is particularly lively, with blocos on the beach. Just 18km east from Belem is the island haven of Cotijuba , replete with beautiful beaches, rainforest and access to igarape creeks. It's the perfect place for birdwatching and nature walks. Trips are arranged by Amazon Star Turismo, with accommodation in native-style bungalows.
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