Alter Do Chao: A Real Life Love Island Is Hiding Inside The Amazon Rainforest

Well off the usual Brazilian tourist trail is a beach lover’s paradise in the most unlikely of places. These are not the famous northern beaches we speak of, but a little-known town called Alter do Chão which boasts numerous idyllic stretches of sand along the shores of the Tapajós river, a major Amazon tributary deep within the world’s largest rainforest.

Unhurried and decidedly laid back, Alter do Chão is a blend of traditional Amazon living with a hippy and bohemian vibe. It’s the kind of place where time is of little consequence and where serenity seeking nomads sleep in hammocks for months on end, to escape the commotion of modern city living.

Don’t expect any luxury resorts or fancy restaurants in this largely undeveloped town. Rather, Alter do Chão seduces travelers with its rustic charm, stunning scenery, and relaxed way of life.

But above all else, it’s the picturesque beaches that entice visitors to linger. Unlike elsewhere in the Amazon, its inviting waters come in distinct shades of blue and green (rather than brown), while blindingly white sand proves all too tempting for sun-seekers itching to pull up a towel.

And of all the region’s stunning shorelines, it’s the stupendously scenic Ilha do Amor (Love Island) that captures the hearts of visitors from around the globe.

Voted by the Guardian as the best beach in Brazil, the deceptively named Ilha do Amor is not an actual island but a naturally formed sand spit which ends just meters away from the town’s riverfront promenade. Endearingly, the only way to reach this small slice of paradise is by swimming across or hitching a ride with a local in a canoe.

Upon arriving at the long and narrow stretch, travelers can choose from a number of rustic restaurants which have wedged plastic tables and chairs firmly into the water, creating the ideal place to indulge in freshly caught fish or sip on some ice cold beers on a warm afternoon.

With little more to do than eat, drink, and bask in the warm sunshine, Ilha do Amor is the epitome of blissful relaxation, a laid back and leisurely travel experience which has earned it the moniker “The Caribbean of the Amazon”.

Plan accordingly, though, because Ilha do Amor only exists for six months at a time. When the rain comes in January, the spit gradually submerges under the river and remains hidden until the dry season returns sometime in July.

Sound like somewhere you might want to visit? Our Alter do Chão guide covers everything you need to know about the region.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.