Welcome to Santarem, a vibrant river port deep within the Brazilian Amazon. This unique destination offers a fascinating glimpse into life along the world's greatest river. Major lines like Viking River Cruises, Seabourn, and Silversea frequently call here on their Amazon voyages.
Santarem's special appeal lies in its location at the breathtaking 'Meeting of the Waters,' where the clear, blue-green Tapajós River runs alongside the muddy, brown Amazon without mixing for miles. Cruise travelers are drawn here for authentic nature experiences, from spotting pink river dolphins to exploring pristine rainforests and idyllic river beaches.
The most famous natural attraction is the spectacular 'Meeting of the Waters' (Encontro das Águas), where the dark Tapajós River and the silty Amazon River flow side-by-side without mixing for several kilometers. This phenomenon is best viewed on a boat tour.
A highly recommended shore excursion is a trip to Alter do Chão, a village renowned for its beautiful freshwater beaches that emerge during the dry season. It's a perfect spot for relaxing, swimming, and enjoying the local atmosphere.
Within the city itself, you can visit the main cathedral, Catedral Nossa Senhora da Conceição, and explore the bustling waterfront market, Mercadão 2000, to see local produce and shop for handicrafts. For wildlife enthusiasts, a boat trip on Maica Lake offers excellent opportunities for bird watching and spotting sloths and monkeys.
Last updated on June 29, 2025
The most popular nearby destination is the village of Alter do Chão, often called the 'Caribbean of the Amazon.' Located about 38 km (24 miles) away, a 45-minute drive, it is famous for its stunning white-sand river beaches that appear during the low-water season, particularly the sandbar known as Ilha do Amor (Island of Love).
For dedicated nature lovers, a trip to the Tapajós National Forest is a must. It offers guided hikes through immense, centuries-old trees in a primary Amazon rainforest. Access points are a bit further, so this typically requires a full-day guided excursion organized in advance.
Last updated on June 29, 2025
Cruise ships typically dock at the Pier of the Companhia Docas do Pará (CDP), which is conveniently located along the Tapajós riverfront, right at the edge of Santarem's city center. The main town square and shopping areas are just a short walk from the pier, making independent exploration easy.
Because the port is so close to downtown, shuttle buses are generally not necessary. The immediate port area has limited amenities, but restaurants, shops, and banks are easily accessible on foot. Depending on river levels, particularly during the high-water season, some smaller ships may need to anchor in the river and use tenders to bring passengers ashore.
Last updated on June 29, 2025
The official currency is the Brazilian Real (BRL). While some tour operators might accept US dollars for pre-booked excursions, it is not widely accepted for general purchases in shops or restaurants.
It is highly recommended to carry some local currency for small purchases, market shopping, and taxis. ATMs (caixas eletrônicos) can be found in banks and commercial areas in the city center. Credit cards are accepted in larger hotels and restaurants, but it's wise to have cash on hand, especially for local markets.
Last updated on June 29, 2025
Santarem is generally considered safe for tourists, especially in the main commercial areas and during daylight hours. As in any city, it is wise to practice standard safety precautions. Keep your valuables secure and out of sight, and be aware of your surroundings, particularly in crowded places like the market.
It is recommended to stick to well-populated areas and avoid walking alone in unfamiliar neighborhoods after dark. For excursions into the rainforest or to more remote locations, using a reputable local guide or a ship-sponsored tour is the safest and most reliable option. Exploring the city center on foot during the day is a common and generally safe activity for passengers.
Last updated on June 29, 2025
Santarem has a hot and humid tropical rainforest climate year-round. Temperatures typically range from 25°C to 33°C (77°F to 91°F). The year is divided into a wetter season (roughly December to May) and a drier season (June to November), which is the most popular time for Amazon cruises.
During the drier season, river levels are lower, revealing the famous white-sand river beaches at places like Alter do Chão. However, rain showers can occur at any time, so packing a light rain jacket is always a good idea. Be sure to bring lightweight, breathable clothing, strong insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable shoes suitable for walking.
Last updated on June 29, 2025
From the cruise pier, the main city center is often within walking distance. However, for exploring further, several options are available. Taxis are readily available near the port; it's best to agree on a fare before your trip begins.
Moto-taxis are a popular and inexpensive option for short, solo trips around town. For visiting destinations like Alter do Chão, hiring a taxi for a few hours or joining a ship-sponsored or pre-booked local tour is the most convenient method. Boat tours are essential for experiencing the Meeting of the Waters and are easily arranged at the waterfront.
Last updated on June 29, 2025
The best place for authentic local shopping is the Mercadão 2000, the city's main waterfront market. Here you can find a wide array of local products, from exotic fruits and fish to regional spices.
For souvenirs, look for traditional Amazonian handicrafts, such as items woven from palm fibers, carved wood, beautiful pottery, and jewelry made from seeds and other natural materials. Hammocks are another popular and practical purchase. Haggling is acceptable and expected at the market stalls but not in established stores. The focus is on local crafts rather than luxury or duty-free goods.
Last updated on June 29, 2025
A Selvagem tour offers an immersive jungle trek through the primary rainforest where you can learn about medicinal plants from a local guide. This excursion provides an excellent opportunity to spot wildlife like sloths, monkeys, and colorful birds in their natural environment.
Explore Alter do Chão, known as the Caribbean of the Amazon, to relax on its famous white-sand river beaches. A boat trip through the nearby Jari Canal takes you into a flooded forest for prime wildlife viewing.
Discover the best of the city with a tour of the Santarém waterfront, including the bustling fish market and the main cathedral. This excursion typically culminates at a viewpoint overlooking the spectacular Meeting of the Waters, where the blue Tapajós River runs alongside the muddy Amazon without mixing.
A trip down the Amazon Arapiuns River reveals tranquil black water, secluded river beaches, and a more serene side of the region. These tours often visit local communities where you can learn about the production of manioc flour and traditional straw handicrafts.
For a unique cultural exchange, a community-based tour allows you to visit a riverside village and interact directly with its residents. You will learn about their sustainable lifestyle, customs, and their deep connection with the Amazon rainforest.
Experience the Amazon's surreal landscapes, from dense tropical forests to the paradisiacal freshwater beaches of the Tapajós River. This 8-day, 7-night trip offers an intimate feel for the local culture as you are welcomed by the riverside communities of Maguari and Jamaraquá. Your journey supports community-based tourism, valuing the culture of traditional people while creating unforgettable memories in a territory that preserves much of Brazil's biodiversity.
Disconnect from daily stress with this fantastic 3-day vacation package in the Amazon. This rewarding experience allows you to tour Alter do Chão and its exceptional attractions. It is the perfect way to unplug and immerse yourself in nature.
Immerse yourself in the "Essence" of the Amazon with this 5-day vacation package. Discover beauty, tranquility, and unforgettable moments in one of the region's most incredible locations. This tour is designed for you to experience peace and joy surrounded by nature.
Discover a fantastic wealth of the Tapajós River on an adventure to the Amorim region, an area so secret that very few people know about it. Selvagem Tours created this exclusive and magical tour to showcase this hidden gem. Experience a truly wild part of the Amazon that even many locals have yet to see.
Embark on an unparalleled adventure to the Arapiuns River, famed for its lush banks, rock formations, and beautiful deserted beaches with long sand dunes. Visit communities that practice ecotourism by raising turtles and fish. You can also see local artisans who manually produce crafts using native straws and seeds for decoration.
Our Eco-Tour is a complete one or two-day experience involving knowledge, self-sustainable elements, and deep contact with nature. Through community socialization and cultural experiences, you will see how these factors create a favorable integration with the Amazon. This journey provides a comprehensive view of human harmony with the environment.
Stay, feel, and live the Amazon with an experience designed to connect people with nature and the native people of the forest. Your home for the trip is a cruise boat where you will enjoy some of the best Amazonian food in Brazil. You will be welcomed by loveable and receptive people, making for a life-changing immersion into the forest.
Take a spectacular biodiversity trip on the Alter do Chao Jari Canal tour. Here you can witness an incredible array of fauna and flora, including alligators, iguanas, dolphins, monkeys, and hundreds of bird species. Selvagem Tours has personalized this incomparable journey to include several fantastic attractions in one tour. Experience the best of Alter do Chao in a unique way, full of joy and satisfaction.
Discover the heart of the Amazon in Western Pará, starting in the historic city of Santarém, known as the "Pearl of Tapajós." From there, journey to Alter do Chão to see some of the world's most beautiful freshwater beaches. You will cross by canoe and follow a trail, with opportunities to see native birds and trees or take an invigorating swim in the Tapajós River.
Explore the Tapajós National Forest on the fabulous FLONA Jamaraqua tour, a trip filled with great beauty and unique learning opportunities. Unlike others who treat Jamaraqua as a simple destination, this tour is designed as a pleasant journey. You will explore various beaches, attractions, and communities before arriving at your final stop.
Enjoy a tour designed to marvel you in just a few hours, serving as a perfect welcome to Alter do Chão. As a shortened version of the popular "Alter do Chão Incredible" tour, this trip is quickly becoming a favorite. Strategically starting at 3:00 pm, the tour takes you to the best locations to enjoy a stunning sunset.
Take an unparalleled adventure on an Amazon Arapiuns River tour from Alter do Chao. Discover its lush banks with rock formations, its beautiful deserted beaches, and its long sand dunes. In this wonderful scenario, you will find communities that practice ecotourism and manually produce their own crafts using native materials.
Witness one of nature's most beautiful and surprising events: the "Encounter of the Waters" where the Amazon and Tapajós Rivers merge. This stunning spectacle is best observed up close, where the difference between the two rivers is clear. You can even jump in the water to feel the contrast for yourself, as the Amazon's water is denser and hotter, while the Tapajós' is lighter and cooler.
Arrange for a private driver with over seven years of experience who is responsible, courteous, and punctual. Travel with peace of mind in a vehicle with orderly maintenance and flexible scheduling to suit your needs. Upon advance request, a high chair is available for children up to 3 years old.
Indulge in the "Pleasure" vacation package, a 7-day experience you will remember for the rest of your life. This trip is carefully customized with the best of what Alter do Chão has to offer. Enjoy beaches, community visits, native food, incredible tours, and memorable moments on the Tapajós River.
Experience the exclusive "Alter do Chão Incredible" tour, customized to provide the best the region has to offer. This journey allows you to experience the 10 best sights and attractions of Alter do Chão. Selvagem Tours designed this trip for a unique and satisfying adventure full of joy.
Visit Maica Lake near Santarém, a wonderful Amazonian biodiversity hotspot and a natural fish nursery. The scenery is especially beautiful in the early morning or late afternoon, offering remarkable peace and calm waters. It is the best place in the area for fishing, observing reptiles, and marveling at a multitude of birds like herons, toucans, and macaws.
Discover the beaches of Aramanaí and Cajutuba, considered the most stunning in the Alter do Chão region. Still largely unknown to the general public, these beaches offer unforgettable landscapes with white sand and crystalline, warm waters. You will sail to this paradise in the comfort and safety of the Pajé vessel.
This tour prioritizes your safety and convenience with pickup directly from your place of accommodation. Boat tickets are provided for your journey. All boats are equipped with safety vests and safety boats, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing and beautiful trip.
Visit Fordlândia and uncover the exciting story of Henry Ford's failed agro-industrial project in the Amazon jungle. Between 1927 and 1945, Ford intended to create a source of latex for his car tires, a project that ultimately ended in disaster. This unique tour visits all the best locations and attractions between Alter do Chão and the historic site.
No ships scheduled in port today.
Prices are about the same throughout the year. Overall Santarem is rather affordable as a port of call. The chart below shows the monthly average cost per day for cruises visiting Santarem.
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