Getting there
Val-de-Cans international airport (Av Júlio César s/n, 12 km from the city, T091-3210 6000) receives flights from the USA, Caribbean, the Guianas and the major Brazilian capitals. The airport bus ‘Perpétuo Socorro-Telégrafo’ or ‘Icoaraci’ runs every 15 minutes to the Prefeitura on Praça Felipe Patroni (US$1.50, allow 40 minutes). A taxi from the airport into town costs US$15. Ordinary taxis are cheaper than co-operatives, buy ticket in advance in departures side of airport. There are ATMs in the terminal, tourist information, cafés and car rental.
There are road connections from São Luís and the northeastern coast as well as a three-day bus link from São Paulo via Brasília. Interstate buses arrive at the rodoviária (end of Av Gov José Malcher, 3 km from the centre) . There are showers (US$0.10), a good snack bar, and agencies with information and tickets for riverboats. Buses to the centre cost US$0.50; taxis charge US$5-7. At the rodoviária you are given a ticket with the taxi’s number on it; threaten to go to the authorities if the driver tries to overcharge.
Boats arrive at the port from Macapá, Manaus and Santarém as well as other parts of the Amazon region and delta.
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