Alter do Chao, Santarem, Flona NP

Places of Interest - Brazil


Alter-do-Chao-Island-Brazil-Amazone-River-Beach-Sun-Santarem-Flona


introduction


Santarem is a friendly, pleasant medium-sized city in the middle of the Amazon that seems like a good stop on the route between Manaus on the one hand and Belem on the other. It is here where the brownish Amazon river meets the reddish river Tapajos. There is a mild climate here and is and serves as a perfect base to go to the nearby Foresta Nacional de Tapajos (FLONA) or to the idyllic beach village Alter do Chao both in the middle of the jungle.

 

Already thousands of years people live in and around the current city of Santarem, it was only in the 17th century that the name Santarem was used for the establishment. Like Manaus, the city flourished at the time of the rubber (trees) and collapsed like a pudding when it disappeared. New revivals due to various gold discoveries from the 1950s. Nowadays the economy is floating on soy, rubber, wood, nuts, black pepper, mangoes, fish and a bit of tourism.


highlights


Alter do Chao

A super romantic village on the river Tapajos with a small cute center around a square. It is here that with a small rowing boat you are boated to the small sand island called Ilha do Amor (literally: love island) for a small fee.

 

Reed cafes, beach chairs and restaurants and a beautiful sandy beach are your part here without being overblown. You can also make a hike to a hill away and enjoy the jungle and the beautiful panorama. You can also rent a boat (or walk) to the beautiful Lago Verde, a green lake a few kilometers away. There are plenty of hotels in the village to spend the night, even though it is a bit (too) quite in the evening.


Floresta Nacional do Tapajos (FLONA NP)

A few hours further on the river Tapajos lies this beautiful protected natural park called FLONA. You can take a boat trip through the flooded forests or take a guided hike through the dense jungle in search of the giant trees that the park is known for.

 

One of the highlights is staying overnight with a local family. By staying for a few days you get an idea of how it is to live in the middle of the jungle and experience what the daily activities and worries are.


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tips & advice (2011)


Santarem - Alter do Chao: on Av. Rui Barbara, Av Barao do Rio Brando etc a bus goes about every hour towards AdC - duration: 45 minutes, costs R $2.50.

 

Santarem - Floresta Nacional do Tapajos: Every day around 11:00 a bus goes through all the small villages of this national park. The ride takes about 4 hours (big bus) and costs R $ 7


On the coastal road (Av Tapajos) in Santarem there are several small restaurants that grill outside of fish. Tasty, cheap and a great view.


  • Name: Hotel Brasil (Santarem)

Address: Travessa dos Martires

Price: 25 R $ per person (double)

 

Content:

A beautiful old colonial red building - inside and outside with a very friendly host. The rooms are small and not super but the breakfast served in the large dining room makes up for a lot. Light, colorful and a very exotic feeling will come to you with its wooden floor and staircase and attractively decorated house. There are separate toilets and showers.


If you want to visit FLONA you are obliged to walk past IBAMA office just outside the center along the Ave Tapajos in Santarem. The man here can tell you everything about the national park and the possibilities to stay here with any families.


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