On the Ilha de Marajó, buffaloes are not an attraction — they are residents. They arrived in the 19th century (legend speaks of a shipwreck of a vessel out of Asia), adapted to the flooded plains as no other animal has and today number around 600,000, shaping the landscape, the economy and even the island’s policing.
The buffalo-mounted police
Yes, it is real: in Soure, the 2nd Military Police Group patrols mounted on buffaloes — the only “patrol vehicles” able to cross mud, flooded plain and beach with equal ease. The group has become a symbol of the island and usually welcomes visitors for photographs; look for the headquarters in Soure and ask about the times (the morning ride through the streets is a show in itself).
A day on a farm
The farms of Soure — such as the traditional ones in the Pesqueiro area — open for day tours that include a buffalo ride (gentler than any horse!), canoe or cart trips across the flooded plains and birdwatching: brilliantly red scarlet ibises, egrets, maguari storks and, with luck, the majestic jabiru. Prices are around R$ 100-200 per person with a regional lunch included.
Marajó cheese
Made from buffalo milk, Marajó cheese has recognized geographical indication and a uniquely creamy texture — try the butter type melted on tapioca, at the artisanal dairies of Soure and Salvaterra. Complete the table with buffalo steak in cheese sauce, the island’s signature dish, and buffalo-milk doce de leite for pudding.
Why this is ecotourism
Extensive buffalo rearing on the natural plains requires no deforestation — the herd grazes where nature has flooded and dried for millennia, living alongside the native fauna. Visiting the farms funds a model that keeps the plains open, the birds flying and Marajoara culture alive. Tourism, here, is conservation with a taste of cheese.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: easy — the farm outings are short and flat, with cart options for anyone who would rather not ride. Children: from the age of 6 on the buffalo ride (with a guide holding the rein); younger ones enjoy the calves and the birds around the corral. Older travelers and reduced mobility: welcome — most farms offer cart or car routes across the plains, and a cheese tasting is democratic by definition. Tell the farm in advance so they can adapt the itinerary.
