The place really has the specialties of the region, but ... it's smelly, uncleaned, not tourist friendly and full of menacing looking people. I hope the city authorities are reading the reports here so that they could pay a lot more attention to this place. It has a lot of historical importance and tourist potential.
We love markets, so ver-o-peso was one of the main places we wanted to visit in Belem. We had a morning of fun, exploring the different sections, admiring the agility of the people cleaning the Brazil nuts and of course all the different smells of the strange fruit of the Amazon. We were a bit disappointed witht the fish-marked as part of it is closed and the rest of the stalls all seemed to sell the same fish. Unfortunately, as in most crowded street markets around the world, care is needed with valuables and we didn't take fancy cameras or smart phones with us.
We visited this market in 1982 and 1983 and decided to visit again on a recent trip to Brazil. We were shocked and disappointed by how poor it now is in comparison to its former glory - it is simply not worth bothering with any more. To add insult to injury we suffered a most distressing incident just outside the market when we went to look at the moored boats. We lived in Brazil for 2 years and have returned many times since and consider ourselves to be reasonably street-wise and have never experienced any security issues before, but both by wife and a friend were assaulted in broad day light by two men with a knife even though there were many people around, and both their (small unobtrusive) cameras snatched.
The smell of the herbs of rainforests, birds, fish, exotic fruits. We are on the border of the Amazon. The people are warm and friendly.Be sure to try the goldfish and some of the Acai, the fruit, if you are not used to. Typical local dish. After? Or take a boat back in the immense river or have a beer at "Estação das Docas" next door and listen to good music.
I think this is the one of most tourists attractions in Belém. Even though is crowded with lots of locals calling you gringa, this place is a must do experience! I'm an açaí lover and I'm always searching for the tasty one. The natives have açaí in a different way though but just ask for some ice and sugar (don't judge me, people! I swear I tried it plain but I prefer sweetened). So the açaí tastes amazing and I loved to see all the different fruits and the handicraft art work. Try to have some jambu, a local kind of herb and feel your lips getting numb. Cool! It's a good place to have some food because it's cheap, fresh and homemade. I also loved to see all the Brazilian nuts and how it's a hard hand word shell all of them. Take your time there, bring lots of water, umbrella, sunglasses, tons of sunscreen, this place is bloody warm and humid! Also try to speak with the locals, they have so many nice things to tell you.
Be careful there because you can be scammed by sellers and thieves. Don't show much money. Pay attention when pay for something, some guys will try to pretend you gave them wrong money, e.g., you give R$ 100 and they tell you gave R$ 2, after change the note (they are like magicians) and you believe that did a mistake, so watch out...
It´s incredible the variety of fruits, colors, smells, tastes you can find at Ver-o-Peso. Even if you are Brazilian, you will be delighted. Everything is so exotic that you shall leave you prejudice aside and taste whatever you want.
If one wants to see Lisbon in the 17th century, before the earthquake hit the Portuguese capital, NW Brazil offers soem fine glimpses, and the Marcado Ver-O-Peso is no exception.From fish to viagara, from mangoes to shovels it offeres everything; in particular I loved the many stalls run by Amerindian women offering ever possible cure for every possible disease, known or suspected.Well worth the visit!
It is a must to go there! Many typical fruits, a lot of typical plants and herbs, very nice handcraft from Indians, and good souvenirs for a very good price!
Vero-o-peso means see the weight in Portuguese. Old market is nicely covered with roofing construction that looks like sails and separated in many small kitchens where you can get everything and anything to eat. Food is mostly presented in plates or pots and you pick what you would like to try, eat or indulge in. Would recommend to everyone.