Camille Terra

This is not our thing

Rocco was great!

I really enjoyed my stay at the Hotel Soneca Plaza in São Paulo. It was located right in the heart of the old town, which made it a perfect spot for a tourist like me who loves to walk around and explore. The hotel itself was quite modest, as per my preference. There wasn't much of a reception area, but the front desk staff was efficient and helpful. The food was decent with good fruit juices, and good breads and rolls. They also offered breakfast, which added to the convenience.

My stay at Hotel Le Massilia in Belém was satisfactory. It was located about a mile from the heart of things, which I didn't mind as I enjoy walking. There were plenty of places to find food and water nearby. The hotel had a pool which I used every day because of the hot and humid weather. Overall, while it was good, it was not as centrally located as I would have preferred.

The Sandis Mirante Hotel in Santarém was fine. It was located in a smaller town, on a hill and provided easy access to various areas. I enjoyed the fact that I could walk down to the waterfront area using the steps or take a longer, more gradual route. The hotel was modest with a small front desk and no real lobby, which suited my needs perfectly. There were also plenty of eating places within walking distance.

My stay at the Hotel Saint Paul in Manaus was excellent. The hotel was probably the nicest of all the ones I stayed in. It was located very close to the heart of Manaus, near the Opera House area. The hotel was more upscale with a lobby area, couches, a TV, a nice pool, exercise equipment and a business center. Its location made it easy to walk to different restaurants and attractions.

My experience at the Hotel Belo Alter in Alter do Chão was not as positive. The place was a 45-minute drive from Santarém and there wasn't much to see or do there. The hotel itself seemed to be trying to be a luxury resort, but it fell short. The room was nice enough, but there was a lot of deferred maintenance and the beach area was not very appealing due to low water levels. The location wasn't ideal either, being a 30-minute walk from the town.

The lodge was a great place to visit the Amazon. Everyone was so helpful. Alex our guide and Adriel the manager made sure every day was as good as it could possibly be.

The city tour was informative and enjoyable, although the guide's English was limited. I was able to communicate fine as I speak Portuguese, but this might be a challenge for non-Portuguese speakers. Overall, the guide was punctual, helpful, and knowledgeable.

Comfortable rooms, abundant buffet meals and knowledgeable guides on hikes and open van rides through this expansive ranch/eco-lodge where wildlife (emus, capybaras, caimans, monkeys, many birds and the occasional jaguar) mingle with the cattle and horses.