Top Things to do in Santarem
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10 Things to Do in Santarem That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Santarem, Brazil including National Forest Tapajos, Meeting of the Waters, Santarem Baywalk, Catedral Nossa Senhora Da Conceicao, N S da Conceicao Church, Pajucara Beach, ZooFIT - Zoologico de Santarem, Carapanari Beach, Museu Dica Frazao, Arua Waterfall.
Restaurants in Santarem
1. National Forest Tapajos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 201 reviews
Reviewed By Anthony S - Brisbane, Australia
We visited the forest in the rain which meant we really didn't get to experience the full extent of the walks available.
There were very few birds in evidence no animals, but the forest was rich in flora and with w guide to explain it all it was a pleasant short excursion from our cruise ship.
2. Meeting of the Waters
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 366 reviews
Reviewed By mccorquinn - Gold Coast, Australia
Our cruise ship arrived at 0700 one morning after cruising up the Amazon River - a superlative sight in its own right - until we met the Tapajos River at Santarem. What a difference! The light bown, slightly "muddy", look of the Amazon River met the dark brown (not clear) waters of the Tapajos River just outside Santarem. It was an unmistakeable divide that continued upstream for some while. We didn't need an expensive tour to see this natural phenomenon: mother Nature provided it to us free of charge!
3. Santarem Baywalk
Overall Ratings
4 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By BillLawson - Merida, Mexico
One of the nicer things about Santarem is that they have this "boardwalk" that offers fantastic river views, especially when accompanied by a caipirinha at one of the bars directly overlooking the water.
Safe and used by locals and visitors alike for walking, morning exercise (joggers) and many a white egret or whatever those birds are (cranes maybe) who are looking for handout from people fishing.
Manaus should have a place like this along its waterfront!
4. Catedral Nossa Senhora Da Conceicao
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 106 reviews
Reviewed By masterecho - London, United Kingdom
Catedral Nossa Senhora Da Conceicao also known as N S da Conceicao Church
Parallel to the road along the river, and extending inland for several blocks on a grid system, is the main shopping area of the city. It was amusing to see several stores promoting Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving Day in the USA) in English, the day of our visit. There is a new shopping mall, but this is located some distance away in another area of the city.
Walking along parallel to the river brought us back to the Cathedral square. The Cathedral itself was relatively plain and simple internally, perhaps a sign of a low level of affluence. The original church dates from 1751, but has been rebuilt and remodelled several times over the centuries.
The square in front of the church was full of little stalls selling a variety of different goods, with many offering a multiplicity of hammocks, some plain and others more ornate with fringing on the bottom. The significance of the hammocks is that they are used extensively on the ferry boats, whose journeys often last for several days and which start in Santarem. We also noted one or two taxis waiting for trade around the square, no doubt to transport ship’s personnel back to the ship.
On our return to the ship we saw that the various riverside markets had now finished for the day and were shuttered and deserted.
5. N S da Conceicao Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 7am-11am and 6.30pm-8.30pm
Reviewed By mccorquinn - Gold Coast, Australia
This current Cathedral, consecrated in 1761, replaced the first permanent building in Santarem- also a Church - built in 1661. The Cathedral is simplicity itself, painted in a serene light blue on the outside, and marked by simplicity inside. The Stations of the Cross are there as also some delicate stained-glass windows, including those facing the Crucified Christ over the main altar. The soaring ceiling is painted in light caramel, with the Holy Ghost represented above the nave by a dove. The Cathedral faces the bustling Praca de Matriz with its many stalls selling artisanal and other local products, including (ugh!) mounted piranhas. Access to the Cathedral, and its adjoining small Museum of Sacred Art (check when the latter is open) is by a flight od stairs facing the Square or by mobility-assisting ramps.
6. Pajucara Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 85 reviews
Reviewed By GilSerique - Santarem
Beaches in the Amazon are bonus. Between all the others I would rather visit alter do chao, a place where you can access many other alternatives that really represent the Amazon
7. ZooFIT - Zoologico de Santarem
Overall Ratings
4 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By FunOnly - Calgary, Canada
The town of Santarem had only a few interesting architectural sights and we decided to save the star attraction, Alter do Chao, for separate day excursion, so we decided to take a taxi to ZooFit. Santarem is a town of 100,000 serving as a hub midway between Belem and Manaus with a deep water terminal that makes it attractive for cruise ships. The town is typical third world urban sprawl with few historical buildings, most in disrepair.
Be aware that Brazilians refer to Reals as “dollars” and in tourist areas it can be quite confusing if the price is US that are worth 2.2 times more or Brazilian dollars. When negotiating it is best to confirm that the number Reals or just produce reals and the vender will correct you if they were quoting in US$. We found that on the street venders would use two for one exchange when the official rate was 2.2 so using Reals saved 10%. Taxis do NOT have meters so it is critical to confirm the fare prior to starting the trip. The same Minivan Taxi for 6 to and from the park was 60 Real ($USD 26)
Be aware that the park is not located at the location on the trip advisor site. See correct location in the picture attached.
Entrance to the park was only 3 Real per person. A very pleasant employee guided us around the park and we had fun with her limited command of English and our few halting words in Portuguese! The facility is an animal rescue and rehab center with the goal of releasing animals back to the wild. As such the enclosures are quite basic, but allowed close up viewing of the animals. We particularly enjoyed being able to hold her pet blue macaw.
We were able to see Tortoises, several species of bird including eagles, several species of Monkeys, a mating pair of Pumas, a caiman and endogenous members of the raccoon family. One of the highlights were the Macaws that were free roaming within the park
Overall a pleasant 1-2 hour excursion to see native animals that are being rehabilitated for release back to the wild.
8. Carapanari Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By MargarethGal - Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Fomos na parte da praia que fica próxima ao restaurante do Saulo. Foi uma boa caminhada onde pudemos observar pássaros, vegetação nativa, achamos até caju, e dos grandes, para comer. A água é quentinha e tem várias casas grandes e bonitas na beira da praia. A praia tem uma pequena falésia com terra argilosa colorida e algumas destas pedras estão espalhadas pela areia criando uma paisagem bonita.
9. Museu Dica Frazao
Overall Ratings
4 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By cebcolpitts - Ottawa, Canada
This museum displays the amazing creations of Dna Dica Frazão who was born in 1920. She makes women's clothing and fabrics from natural fibres such as grasses and wood pulp. The work is extremely detailed and most very beautiful. Items on display include a tablecloth made for Pope John Paul 11 and costumes for the Boi Bumbá festival.
10. Arua Waterfall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By larissaflorestal - Santarem
Acesso difícil, muito distante de Santarém, é um destino pouco conhecido, diria exótico, mas o visual vale a pena. Terrestre ou fluvial. Não há estrutura hoteleira.
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