'''Santarem''' is located on the southern bank of the Tapajos River (a tributary of the Amazon], in northern Brazil. It's the second-largest city in Para, and located just about midway between Manaus and Belem.

Get in

By boat

Santarem is about three days by river boat from Manaus and Belem, making it an ideal place for a few days' stopover on a trip along the Amazon. All boats stop here.

By plane

There's a domestic airport, but few foreign travelers use it to get in. It's handy if the Amazon gets to you and you need a quick ride out, though.

Get around

See

  • '''Mercado Modelo''' -- the city market.
  • '''History Museum''', on the eastern end of the waterfront. Good for a half-hour's worth of learning about the city, and attended by a helpful staff. Between the millennia-old pottery shards and the portraits of every single mayor of Santarem, there should be something to hold your attention.
  • Do

  • The river beach of '''Alter do Chao''' is the city's biggest attraction.
  • Buy

    Eat

  • '''Mascote''', Pca. do Pescador, 10, (91)523-2844. A popular restaurant located on the waterfront.
  • '''Peixaria Piracatu''', Av. Mendonca Furtado, 174, (91)522-7580. Excellently prepared river fish such as ''surubim'' and ''tambaqui''.
  • Drink

    Sleep

    Budget

  • '''Hotel Equatorial''', Av. Rui Barbosa and Silvino Pinto
  • Mid-range

  • '''Santarem Palace Hotel''', Av. Rui Barbosa 726
  • Splurge

    Get out

    Alenquer is a small town on the north bank of the river. From there, it's about two hours by taxi to '''Vale do Paraiso''', an eco-resort built around the ''Viuva da Noiva'' waterfalls.