'''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.