Culture & Nature in Northern Brazil's Hidden Gems: Belém, Santarém, Alter do Chão & Manaus - 13 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Belém, Explore the City

Welcome to Brazil and the port city of Belém, known as the gateway to the Amazon. Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel, where you can refresh before venturing out to explore the city on your own. A good place to start is the Basílica de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré, renowned for hosting one of the largest religious festivals in the country, the Círio de Nazaré pilgrimage. Admire the intricate neo-Gothic architecture, then head inside to discover the ornate interior and the revered image of Our Lady of Nazareth.

Continue to Fortaleza do Castelo, a well-preserved fortress perched on the banks of Guajará Bay. Built in the 17th century to defend the region against invasions, the fort now serves as a museum for visitors to learn about Brazil's colonial history. Wander around the fort to see its well-preserved architecture and cannons, then browse the museum's artifacts, weaponry, and exhibits narrating stories of past battles and conquests. Climb the top of the fort for panoramic views of the city and the bay to end your self-guided city tour. 

Day 2: Full-Day City Tour of Belém 

If you're an early riser, you can opt for a 5:00 am start at the Feira do Açaí, an open-air market dedicated to the Amazon's abundant fruit. Continue your culinary journey at Mercado Ver-o-Peso, one of the largest open-air markets in the world. It's a great place to immerse yourself in the Amazon's vibrant colors, aromas, and flavors. Then, head to Espaço São José Liberto, a cultural center housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century building. Browse the stalls full of Amazonian jewelry, Pará handicrafts, and Marajoara ceramics and learn about the cultural significance behind these intricate creations. 

Before you leave, visit the Museu das Gemas to admire the exhibits showcasing an array of locally sourced gemstones, such as topazes, tourmalines, and amethysts. End your tour of the city at Estação das Docas, an old warehouse turned into a cultural and entertainment center. Wander around the waterfront complex situated on the banks of Guajará Bay to discover the restaurants, shops, bars, and cultural event spaces within. Grab an Amazonian craft beer and something to eat, and settle in to soak up the views.

Day 3: Visit Ilha do Combu, Discover Mangal das Garças

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then board a boat to cruise across the Rio Guamá to Ilha do Combú in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon. Wander around the island, looking for tropical birds flying ahead, until you reach the Filha do Combu chocolate plantation. Here you'll see the cultivation and harvesting of the cacao beans and hear from your guide about the company's traditional methods of chocolate production—from fermenting and drying the beans to the meticulous process of transforming them into high-quality chocolate that's sold across the country.

After a walk through the plantation, join a workshop and learn how to prepare your own chocolate bar. Try not to spoil your appetite too much, as you'll sit down for lunch before returning to your hotel in Belém. Stay in to relax or spend your free afternoon exploring more of the city. Head to Mangal das Garças in the historic center to wander through the gardens, aviary, lighthouse, and museum. Visit the two observation decks within the lighthouse for panoramic park views. When you get hungry, sit down for dinner at the on-site buffet restaurant.

Day 4: Fly to Santarém, Relax on Praia do Maracanã

Say goodbye to Belém this morning as you transfer to the airport for a 1.5-hour domestic flight to Santarém, a quaint town located at the confluence of the Amazon and the Rio Tapajós. Transfer to your hotel, then pack your swimwear and head to Praia do Maracanã for an afternoon relaxing on the pristine sand or swimming in the refreshing water. In the evening, make your way to Praça do Pescado (Fisherman's Square) to dine on fresh seafood overlooking the river. 

Day 5: City Tour, Boat to the Meeting of the Waters, Transfer to Alter do Chão

Join your guide for a city tour, starting at Orla de Santarém, a picturesque riverfront area lined with palm trees, charming cafés, and lush green spaces. Watch as boats come in from every angle, delivering agricultural products and fresh fish. Then, wander down to the scenic promenade until you reach the observation deck offering panoramic views of the Meeting of the Waters, where the distinct colors of the Amazon and Tapajós rivers merge but don't immediately mix.

Continue to the historic center to admire centuries-old churches and colonial-era architecture, stopping at Mercadão 2000 to try local snacks, engage with friendly vendors, and take in the lively atmosphere. Return to the riverfront to board a speedboat to see the Meeting of the Waters while keeping an eye out for the pink dolphins that like to swim alongside. Afterward, return to your hotel to grab your bags, meet your driver outside, and transfer 40 minutes to Alter do Chão, a charming village known as the "Caribbean of the Amazon."

Day 6: Visit the Jamaraquá Community in the Tapajós National Forest

Continue your immersion into Brazilian culture today with a visit to the Jamaraquá community in the Tapajós National Forest. Learn about the community's efforts to support sustainable forest management in the Amazon as you tour the village and surrounding jungle. Spend time with the locals and see how they harvest and prepare food and goods for their own consumption and sale. You'll also get to see how natural latex is transformed into ecological leather goods. 

After spending the day with the Jamaraquá people, say your goodbyes and head back to your hotel. On the way, you can opt for a canoe ride down a small river or through one of the flooded forests. Paddle through the dense foliage and look out for wildlife like the brightly colored macaw flying above the trees or the howler monkeys screaming in the leaves. 

Day 7: Visit Urucurea, Ponta Grande Beach, Carocas & Tucumã

This morning, you'll discover more of the lush landscape around Alter do Chão on a boat cruise toward the Arapiuns River. Then, reach the village of Urucureá, renowned for its commitment to preserving traditional ways of life. Explore the community and watch villagers make handicrafts from locally sourced materials like straw, seeds, and palm leaves. Participate in cultural exchanges, share stories with the villagers, and support the community's efforts toward sustainable living before continuing to Ponta Grande, a white-sand beach surrounded by lush greenery. 

Then, jump into the clear water for a refreshing swim and take in the rhythmic sounds of the jungle, creating an atmosphere of tranquility. After relaxing on the sand, continue to Carocas, a nesting ground for endangered freshwater turtles. Learn about the conservation efforts to protect these vulnerable species, and if you're lucky, you'll witness female turtles emerging to lay their eggs or the hatchlings making their way to the river. End your tour in the village of Tucumã for a short walk through the forest to learn about medicinal plants and their purpose in the community. 

Day 8: Visit Lago Verde & Cruise to the Surrounding Flooded Forests

Spend the day discovering Alter do Chão's lakes and flooded forests, starting at Lago Verde (Green Lake), aptly named for its vivid green hue that reflects the surrounding rainforest and blue skies. If it's the right time of year, jump in a boat and cruise to one of the surrounding flooded forests, Igapó do Macaco Basin. Traverse the waterways that only appear during the rainy season between March and August, looking out at the diverse flora and fauna. Continue the cruise until you reach Floresta Encantada, teeming with towering trees, vibrant flora, and the sounds of tropical birds.

Disembark to enjoy a delicious lunch, then settle in for a nap in one of the many hammocks lining the river. When you wake up, return to the boat to cruise through another flooded forest until you reach the Pindobal community. Learn about the villagers' daily lives, from fishing and farming to creating artisanal crafts, then explore the village to gain a deeper understanding of their lifestyle. Thank the Pindobal people for their time, then hop back in the boat for a final cruise to Ponta do Muretá or Ponta do Cururu to look for pink dolphins and watch the sunset over the water. 

Day 9: Fly to Manaus, Visit Parque Ecologico Janauari

Bid farewell to Alter do Chão this morning as you return to Santarém to catch a 1.5-hour flight to Manaus, the capital of Amazonas. When you arrive, transfer to your hotel to check in and freshen up. Then, the rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish. You could head to Parque Ecologico Janauari, a 9000-acre (3,642 ha) ecological park just one hour outside the city.

Explore the network of wooden walkways on foot or rent a bicycle to cover more ground. Wind through the flooded forests teeming with vibrant birdlife and towering trees. Keep an eye out for herons, egrets, kingfishers, and even monkeys swinging from tree to tree. The park is known for its Victoria Amazonica, giant water lilies, so you can't leave without seeing them.

Day 10: City Tour of Manaus, Community Social Project Visit

Set off on a half-day city tour this morning, starting with a drive through traditional neighborhoods to get to the dock, where a produce and fish market awaits. Follow your guide through the narrow alleys to the Adolpho Lisboa Municipal Market, built in 1882 based on Paris's long-gone Les Halles market. Navigate the lively aisles and browse the Amazonian products, from exotic fruits to regional spices, fresh fish, and handmade crafts. Continue to the Rio Negro Palace, an opulent mansion constructed in the late 19th century set against the lush backdrop of the Amazon rainforest.

Admire the Belle Époque architecture, then enter to discover the stained glass windows, ornate furnishings, and grand staircase. End the tour at the Teatro Amazonas, an opera house that is a testament to the city's golden era during the rubber boom. Step inside to see the extravagant dome adorned with 36,000 tiles and listen as your guide teaches you about the theater's rich history. In the afternoon, learn about some of the community's social projects, like the Rip Art Project, which encourages women to learn how to crochet and create other crafts with recycled materials. 

Day 11: Full-Day Boat Tour, Visit the Museu do Seringal

Leave the city behind for the day as you transfer to the port and board a cruise to the Meeting of the Waters. The phenomenon is the same as in Santarém, but this time it's the dark Rio Negro and muddy waters of the Solimões River meeting but not mixing for several miles. Head to a traditional village next to meet the original inhabitants of the Amazon. Learn about their traditions, customs, and cuisine as you tour the village, talk to the locals, and watch them go about their day-to-day lives. 

Day 12: Visit the Museu da Amazônia - Musa

Immerse yourself in nature today as you head to the Museu da Amazônia - MUSA, a botanical garden 40 minutes outside the city in the Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve. Wander through 1.8 miles (3 km) of trails, passing diverse plant and animal species that inhabit the rainforest. Along the way, you'll come across libraries and laboratories, where researchers work tirelessly to learn about the Amazon's wonders and promote the conservation of the environment. Visit the aquarium, which showcases the aquatic life in the region, as well as the orchid and bromeliad houses bursting with vibrant flora native to the Amazon.

Day 13: Depart Manaus

Now that you've spent 13 days discovering some of Brazil's hidden gems, your adventure is drawing to a close today. If you have time before your flight, head to Ponta Negra Beach to relax on the soft sand, test your skills on the volleyball courts, or enjoy a refreshing dip in Rio Negro's waters. When it's time, return to your hotel to change, grab your bags, and meet your driver to transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!