Alter do Chão is a small village in the municipality of Santarém, in the state of Pará, Brazil. Located on the banks of the Tapajós River, it is often called “The Caribbean of the Amazon” due to its stunning beaches.
Founded in 1626, in honor of its namesake village in Portugal, Alter do Chão was initially inhabited by indigenous communities and later became a site for Jesuit missions. During the rubber boom in the 20th century, it served as a key route for transporting latex extracted in Belterra and Fordlândia until 1950. After a period of economic decline, the village embraced tourism in the 1990s (source: Wikipedia).
Alter do Chão is undoubtedly one of the best tourist destinations in Brazil. I only visited it in 2020, and I deeply regret not going there sooner!
In this article, you’ll discover 12 reasons why you should visit Alter do Chão. Prepare to be amazed! But be warned—you may never want to leave!
1. The Beauty of Its River Beaches
The main reason to visit Alter do Chão is its breathtaking river beaches, both in the village and nearby areas. These beaches are not only stunning but also have warm, inviting waters that make you want to spend the whole day swimming. You might even spot pink river dolphins (botos cor-de-rosa) gliding gracefully nearby—an unforgettable experience that connects you with nature. Since it’s freshwater, you won’t have that sticky, salty feeling you get from seawater. People with long hair will love it!
In 2009, The Guardian named Alter do Chão the best beach destination in Brazil. Journalist Tom Phillips wrote:
“Brazil’s best beach is not in Rio de Janeiro or the sun-bathed north-east. It’s not even on the coast. It is on a river at the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Around 30km from the rainforest city of Santarem, Alter do Chao is the jungle’s answer to the Caribbean. After a week holed up in the jungle, Alter do Chao is the perfect place to relax: you can lounge on the river beaches in the morning, gorge yourself on a local grilled fish in the afternoon and retreat to one of the area’s many charming pousadas by night. People often call the humid and dense Amazon the ‘green inferno’. Alter do Chao is its golden paradise”.
Tom Philips, The Guardian
Among the must-visit beaches are “Love Island” (Ilha do Amor) in Alter do Chão, as well as Pindobal, Ponta das Pedras, and Ponta do Cururu, located in the surrounding area.
- Tip: To explore the region’s beaches, I highly recommend taking the Arapiuns River tour.
2. Connection with Nature
Alter do Chão offers more than just beaches. The village provides access to trails, forests, streams, hills, canals, and riverside communities with stilt houses built to withstand the Amazonian flood season. Here, you can observe a variety of wildlife, from pink river dolphins and sloths to monkeys, turtles, and even alligators along the Jari Canal.
You’ll also learn about the Amazon’s rich flora and how locals use various plants. For example, andiroba oil has analgesic properties that helped relieve a muscle strain I had while visiting Tapajós National Forest, know just as Flona. A trip to Alter do Chão is a chance to experience the Amazon’s harmony and natural balance firsthand.
3. Cultural Festivals
Two major festivals take place in Alter do Chão: the Sairé Festival and the Borari Festival. The Sairé Festival, held in September, is the oldest folkloric event in the region, dating back over 300 years. Originally religious, it took on a more festive, secular character in the 1990s. Mornings feature religious rituals like processions and prayers, while nights are dedicated to the Boto Festival, which reenacts the Amazon’s most famous folk legend.
The Borari Festival, held in July, celebrates the traditions of the Borari indigenous tribe through rituals and dance performances.
4. Easy Access
Getting to Alter do Chão is simple. The village is just 37 km from downtown Santarém. From Santarém Airport (STM), you can take the well-maintained PA-457 highway, reaching the village in about 35 minutes.
Major Brazilian airlines (Gol, Latam Brasil, and Azul) operate domestic flights to Santarém from Brasília (BSB), Manaus (MAO), and Belém (BEL), which by the way also receive international flights from Miami (MIA) and Panama City (PTY).
5. Delicious Cuisine
If you love fish, Alter do Chão is a paradise. Throughout your stay, you can enjoy freshwater fish like pirarucu and tambaqui. The region boasts a rich variety of fish species—41 were identified in a recent survey at the Santarém Fish Market!
Despite being a small village, Alter do Chão offers restaurants for all tastes, many of which are located around the main square. Be sure to try cupuaçu or coconut sweets sold by street vendors. If you prefer a more casual bite, X Bom Burguer is a great choice.
For an authentic local experience, don’t miss piracaia, a beachside fish barbecue usually organized by tour agencies and hotels.
6. Excellent Guesthouses
Although it’s a simple village, Alter do Chão has comfortable and affordable accommodation options, including cozy guesthouses (pousadas), hostels, and even hammock accommodations (redários) for budget travelers.
- Check out the accomodation options in Alter do Chão, click here
7. Affordable Prices
You can enjoy high-quality accommodations and restaurants at very reasonable prices. Excellent guesthouses with ratings above 8.5 on Booking.com cost around 200 BRL (~38 USD) per night for two people, including breakfast.
A great meal can be found for under 50 BRL (~10 USD). Boat tours cost about 150 BRL (~29 USD), a fair price for an unforgettable Amazon adventure.
8. Good Internet Access
Despite its remote location, Alter do Chão has surprisingly good 4G coverage, at least for Vivo (Brazilian Telecom) users. Even some distant beaches, like Ponta do Cururu, have service. Additionally, the guesthouse where I was staying, Pousada Sombra do Cajueiro, had excellent Wi-Fi.
9. Carimbó Dancing
At night, you can explore the waterfront, visit the market in the main square, dine at a great restaurant, or even take a nighttime forest tour. However, the highlight for many visitors is dancing Carimbó, a traditional dance from Pará with indigenous, African, and Portuguese influences.
You can enjoy it at Espaço Alter do Chão at night after a full day of activities.
10. Warm Weather Year-Round
Alter do Chão is hot all year, with an average temperature of 25.9°C (79°F). The dry season (Amazonian summer) lasts from August to December, while the rainy season (Amazonian winter) runs from January to July.
11. Essencial Facilities for Tourists
The Alter do Chão village has essential tourist facilities, including supermarkets, pharmacies, ATMs, souvenir shops, a health clinic, and even nightlife options. However, there are no currency exchange services. So don’t forget to change money in Santarém.
12. Friendly Locals
From the moment you arrive, you’ll notice the warmth of the people. Whether at your guesthouse, in restaurants, or on tours, everyone is kind and welcoming. While not many locals speak English, they will do their best to make you feel at home!
If you enjoyed this post, check out more of our English articles!
