Best of Santarem
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Port
Alter Do Chao, Brazil
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$79.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4¾ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
After Manaus and Belém, Santarém is the Amazon's most vital port, boasting a history that dates back to 1661. The town is a local trading center rather than a tourist spot, making today's excursion a chance to glimpse day-to-day life in the Amazon.
Hop on a local intercity bus at the main square in Alter do Chão and travel for approximately 45 minutes to Santarém. On a drive along the bustling waterfront, you will see a variety of watercraft carrying everything from fresh produce to people on their way into or out of the city. Boats are the region's primary mode of transportation.
Stop at the market to see a wide variety of fish species and tropical fruits.
In the town center, visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of Conceição -- the oldest building in Santarém (1761). At Fishermen's Square, free time is allocated for shopping.
Visit the Manioc Flour House -- an open-air facility featuring rubber and Brazil nut trees -- to find out what foods are essential to the locals and how tapioca is made.
Head back to Alter do Chão, featuring lovely white-sand beaches on the clear Tapajos River. This charming town, with about 2,000 year-round inhabitants, is Santarém's weekend resort.
Your tour ends with free time to browse in town or head to the riverfront Ilha do Amor Beach with fine sand and no waves. The river water is dark, warm and transparent.
Guests choosing to stay in town or go to the beach must make their own way back to the ship.
Notes:
Wear comfortable walking shoes. Shade is limited; to avoid sunburn, wear light, long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up. Bring a hat and sunglasses; wear biodegradable sunscreen. Bring bottled water. To reach the beach from the village, you must enlist the services of a boatman. Your guide can explain this to you. If you wish to go to the beach independently, wear your swimsuit under your clothing and bring a towel. The fish market is active in the morning and is therefore at its best during that time -- afternoon visits to the fish market are purely informational. This tour is also offered from the port of Santarém. Local buses are used for transportation; they are not air-conditioned.