Santarém & Rio Tapajós

Midway along the mighty Amazon river between Belém and Manaus (a two-day boat trip from both capitals) lies the sleepy river port town of Santarém, the second largest city of Pará. Situated at the confluence of the Tapajós and Amazonas rivers, Santarém is an ideal base for those seeking serious immersion in both Amazonian culture and nature. A region of rainforest and wetlands, the Tapajós area has a rich history dating back to the earliest civilizations in the Americas; for proof, visit the 12,000-year-old cave paintings in Monte Alegre. Its rich nature can be experienced by boating up and down the Tapajós and its tributaries, hiking (or ...

Midway along the mighty Amazon river between Belém and Manaus (a two-day boat trip from both capitals) lies the sleepy river port town of Santarém, the second largest city of Pará. Situated at the confluence of the Tapajós and Amazonas rivers, Santarém is an ideal base for those seeking serious immersion in both Amazonian culture and nature. A region of rainforest and wetlands, the Tapajós area has a rich history dating back to the earliest civilizations in the Americas; for proof, visit the 12,000-year-old cave paintings in Monte Alegre. Its rich nature can be experienced by boating up and down the Tapajós and its tributaries, hiking (or canoeing) through FLONA, a national park preserving virgin rainforest, or by kicking back on the miraculously white sand river beaches of Alter do Chão, known as the “Amazonian Caribbean.”

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.