Santarem

Introduction

Santarém sits in the western part of the state of Pará, Brazil, where the Tapajós and Amazon Rivers meet. That confluence has helped make it a popular tourist destination, and it serves as the financial and economic center of the western part of the state. The city leads the Santarém Metropolitan Area, which also includes Belterra and Mojuí dos Campos.

The area was once home to the Tapajós Indians, the Native American tribe after whom the river is named. They led a large agricultural chiefdom that flourished before the arrival of Europeans.

Three days in Santarem

Day one: Start in Santarém itself, the city at the meeting of the Tapajós and Amazon Rivers. Get your bearings along the waterfront where the two rivers run side by side, then spend the afternoon in the Santarém Metropolitan Area, which takes in Belterra and Moju. The character here comes from the mix of peoples who shaped the region: the Tapajós Indians and other Native American groups who lived along these banks long before Europeans arrived, and the Europeans who followed.

Day two: Head out to Belterra and Moju, both part of the Santarém Metropolitan Area. Belterra sits inland from the river, while Moju keeps you close to the water and the forest around it. This is the countryside of the Par state, where the land and the rivers set the rhythm of the day. Take your time; the distances are short but the pace is slow.

Day three: Return to the rivers. The Tapajós and the Amazon Rivers define Santarém, and a day on or beside them is the best way to finish. Watch how the two waters meet and how the city turns to face them. If you have time before you leave, walk the streets of Santarém once more and let the river air see you off.