Celebrities are not the only people who buy islands. The number of privately owned islands are rather surprising, and so is the affordability of many of them. The Private Islands Blog calls Maria Island his “cheapest island”.

“This isn’t your typical tropical island surrounded by beaches, but it is only 2km from one of the most famous tourist beaches in Brazil, yet is entirely private and protected.

The river island is just 1km from a major airport, 3km from the downtown of one of Brazil’s major tourism destinations. The island is just few minutes away from all facilities the town has to offer, such as hospitals, university, supermarkets, some of the best beaches in Brazil and much more. There are daily flights from most major cities in Brazil to the nearby airport.

The island offers absolute privacy, being entirely surrounded by a thick mangrove forest, which is a natural fence impregnable and federal government protected.

The 5 hectare island is flat with some rocky areas and the vegetation consists of hundreds of oil palms, coconut palms and papaya, avocado trees, fruit trees and a large variety of native trees.

Full of wildlife, birds of many species, iguanas and small monkeys also roam the place, there are no poisonous snakes.

The river the island is one is navigable for 3km upriver from the Atlantic Ocean, providing a mini Amazon experience right from your doorstep. This is a very interesting area still waiting to be explored.

The island would be ideal for those that want a private tropical retreat, where they can also grow their own food and live a natural lifestyle, an ecological resort. This is really a bargain buy for those want a tropical island with complete privacy, yet on minutes from a major city with all mod cons.”