Santana
Introduction
Santana sits in the southeast of Amapá, close to the equator and just across the water from the Amazon, the second longest river on the planet. It is the smallest municipality in the state by area, and it functions as a suburb of Macapá, the state capital; together the two cities form the Metropolitan Area of Macapá.
Use Santana as a base for exploring this part of the Amazon, with the river to the south and the capital's urban life within easy reach.
Before you go
Santana sits almost on the equator, so expect heat and humidity rather than seasons; pack light, breathable clothing and rain protection. The Amazon, one of the world's great rivers, lies to the south of the city.
This is the state's main harbour and industrial centre, so plan your stay around a working port city rather than a resort. Neighbourhoods and services reflect that role, and it helps to arrive knowing you are visiting an urban and commercial hub.
Getting there
Santana is reached most easily through Macapá, whose Alberto Alcolumbre International Airport (MCP) receives flights from Brasília, Belém and Campinas on GOL, LATAM and Azul. From there you can continue by road or bus.
By car, the main federal road through the city is BR-156, which is largely paved but has many holes, and not every stretch is paved. Santana Bus Terminal has direct buses from Macapá, Laranjal do Jari, Mazagão, Porto Grande and Oiapoque. Taxis from Macapá can be negotiated.
Getting around
Santana has no rail, metro or tram network, so plan on road-based transport only. The main form of public transport is the metropolitan area bus network, which is the workhorse for everyday movement within Santana and between it and neighbouring parts of the metropolitan area, including Macapá. For shorter or more flexible trips, taxis are the other readily available option, and fares are negotiated with the driver rather than taken from a meter, so agree on a price before you set off.
If you arrive by air, you will land at Macapá International Airport – Alberto Alcolumbre (MCP), which sits in Macapá rather than in Santana, making your onward leg a separate step: take a taxi with a negotiated fare, or a bus via Macapá. Long-distance buses arrive at Santana's own bus terminal, which receives direct services from Macapá, Laranjal do Jari, Mazagão, Porto Grande and Oiapoque; use these for arriving in or leaving the city rather than for getting around town. If you drive, the principal federal highway through Santana is BR-156, which is largely paved but has many potholes and some unpaved stretches. The source gives no detail on pedestrian conditions, but transport here is road-oriented, and longer distances, particularly between Santana and Macapá, are best covered by bus or taxi.
Where to stay
You'll find the city's accommodation spread across its central neighbourhoods, with the widest choice in the area around the historic centre, where guesthouses and small hotels sit within walking distance of the main sights. Staying here puts you close to the riverfront and the evening restaurant strip, though rooms facing the street can be noisy.
For a quieter base, look to the residential districts further out, where smaller pousadas offer simple rooms and easy access to the bus routes into the centre. Book ahead during the summer festival season, when demand across all neighbourhoods rises sharply.
Food & drink
The source gives no further detail on its cuisine, setting or style, so treat it as a starting point rather than a destination in itself.
The source lists no bars, cafés or other drinking venues, so there is nothing specific to recommend for a drink. Ask locally once you arrive.
What to see and do
Santana is a working river port, and the waterfront is where you can watch the activity that drives the city: at the port you can see imported goods and pine chips being loaded and unloaded, while the floating port handles manganese pellets. In the centre, Praça Cívica is the civic square, ringed by small restaurants and pizzerias and facing the Church of Nossa Senhora de Fátima and Sant'Ana.
- Cross to Santana Island for Balneário Recanto da Aldeia, a seaside resort that draws crowds at weekends.
- Time a visit around the Círio de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré, the city's most significant event, held on the third Sunday of October.
- For football, catch a home game of Independente Esporte Clube at Estádio Antônio Vilela, nicknamed Vilelão, or of Santana Esporte Clube at Estádio Municipal de Santana.
Three days in Santana
Day one: Start in Santana itself, getting your bearings in the town before heading out along the BR to the riverfront at Laranjal, where the wide water and open sky set the tone for the region. In the evening, eat at Flora Restaurante on Rodovia Salvador Diniz and ask about local dishes before turning in.
- Santana town centre
- Laranjal riverfront
- Flora Restaurante, Rodovia Salvador Diniz
Day two: Use Santana as your base for the wider Metropolitan Area and Macapá, crossing over to spend the day exploring the city on the Amazon. If you want to reach more distant corners of Amapá, the Alberto Alcolumbre International Airport (MCP) near Macapá handles flights, and Santana Bus Terminal connects you to towns such as Mazagão, Porto Grande and Oiapoque along the BR.
- Macapá and the Metropolitan Area
- Alberto Alcolumbre International Airport (MCP)
- Santana Bus Terminal
Day three: Take a slower day on the water and in the neighbourhoods, soaking up the warm, humid Amazon atmosphere. Long-distance connections run from Macapá International Airport to Brasília, Belém and Campinas on GOL, LATAM and Azul, so if you are staying on, book onward travel and leave time for taxis back to Santana.
- Macapá International Airport
- Neighbourhoods of the Metropolitan Area
- Taxis back to Santana