Belém

The Amazon’s most important port city, the capital of Pará state lies at the intersection of the Guamá River and Guajará Bay, near the mouth of the mighty Amazon. The river defines the city’s life and many of its most intriguing sights – including the fascinating Ver-O-Peso Market, rife with Amazonian exotica – lie along its banks. Most are nestled within the Cidade Velha (old town), an intoxicating mélange of dilapidated and revitalized architecture that evokes Belem’s colonial beginnings as well as its 19th-century rubber boom. Although the rainforest is distant, parks such as Mangal das Garças and Parque Emílio Goeldi offer introductions ...

The Amazon’s most important port city, the capital of Pará state lies at the intersection of the Guamá River and Guajará Bay, near the mouth of the mighty Amazon. The river defines the city’s life and many of its most intriguing sights – including the fascinating Ver-O-Peso Market, rife with Amazonian exotica – lie along its banks. Most are nestled within the Cidade Velha (old town), an intoxicating mélange of dilapidated and revitalized architecture that evokes Belem’s colonial beginnings as well as its 19th-century rubber boom. Although the rainforest is distant, parks such as Mangal das Garças and Parque Emílio Goeldi offer introductions to typical Amazonian flora and fauna. Meanwhile, only a few hours away are the island getaways of Algodoal and Marajó. In October, Belém hosts one of Brazil’s largest and most spectacular religious festivals, Círio de Nazaré, honoring the patron saint of Pará. Don’t leave town without sampling the local cuisine with its strong indigenous influences; tacacá, pato do tucupi, and the Amazonian fruit and nut flavored ice-creams served at Cairu sorveteria are all heavily addictive.

About the Expert

Michael Sommers is the author of Moon Brazil and Moon Rio, as well as the blog Thrill of Brazil. He has been living in Salvador, Brazil since 1999.