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Santarem Highlights
Santarem Highlights
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Port
Santarem, Brazil
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
City Tour,Local Sightseeing,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 3½ hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
This tour provides a glimpse into the life and times of Santarém -- one of the Amazon’s most vital ports after Manaus and Belém -- with a history that dates back to 1661. While Santarém’s most important function is that of a local trading center rather than a tourist hotspot, it offers visitors some interesting sights and locales.
Begin your tour with a drive along the bustling waterfront. Boats are the primary mode of transportation in the Amazon. You will see cargo, produce and passenger vessels in various shapes and conditions.
In the town center, you’ll stop at the Municipal Market and at Fisherman’s Square. Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady Conceicao -- the oldest building in Santarém. The church boasts a crucifix donated in 1846 by German scientist Frederic Von Martius, a member of the Münich Academy of Science.
Next, visit the Joao Fona Museum, housed in the old Town Hall. It is surrounded by the narrow streets of the Old Town and, inside, features a fine collection of ancient Tapajos ceramics. There are also various 19th-century artifacts and publications on display here.
From a nearby lookout point, you can observe the Meeting of the Waters, where the muddy Amazon River and the blue waters of the Rio Tapajós flow side by side for many miles before their distinctive colors eventually combine. This natural phenomenon is an excellent euphemism for the city’s character, where different cultures co-exist discretely but harmoniously.
A short drive into the countryside brings you to an old manioc flour factory. You’ll see a variety of native trees, including rubber trees, and a brief demonstration shows you how latex is extracted.
Head back to Santarém and 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. Afternoon visits to the fish market are purely informational. Minimum age is 10 years. Tour requires walking approximately 200 yards at the flour factory; around 20 minutes of walking in the Town Hall Museum; and 10 minutes in the cathedral. Terrain includes uneven ground and 8-12 steps. Transportation is by basic local bus. Air-conditioned vehicles are not available in Santarém .