PARÁ

CAPITAL

Capital: belém

Belém is a city that combines modernity with the preservation of local indigenous people

Pará stands out for its vocation for Ecotourism, as it covers part of the Amazon Forest. Its territory is marked by regions of Mangrove and Cerrado, in addition to having the coast bathed by the Atlantic Ocean. Its formation has a strong contribution from Portuguese, French and Japanese influences.

In addition, Pará is home to approximately 31 indigenous ethnicities, which, in part, are responsible for the strong influence on Pará cuisine, which is characterized by the use of fish and leaves (chicory, coriander, in addition to maniva – ground manioc leaves), hot peppers, local herbs and fruits.

The capital Belém is a city located in the bay of Guajará. Among its tourist attractions, the Estação das Docas is one of the most popular, a place that houses a gastronomic complex that has also become a meeting point and sunset observation point.

However, the Ver-o-Peso Market, considered one of the oldest public markets in the country, elected one of the 7 Wonders of Brazil, is the postcard of Belém. It brings together the Iron Market, the Fisherman’s Square, the boat dock and the largest open-air market in Latin America, which offers regional and exclusive spices, food, herbs and medicinal products.

Your itinerary through the capital should also include the Museu do Forte do Presepio, the Mangal das Garças and the Theatro da Paz, a neoclassical building inspired by the Scalla in Milan.

The city is also known for its vocation for religious Tourism, especially with the Círio de Nazaré, an event that takes place for 15 days in October, when the pilgrimage held on the second sunday of the month happens.

Photo: Bruna Brandão - MTur

Photo: Bruna Brandão - MTur

PARAUAPEBAS

The municipality is known for its thermal waters, waterfalls and diversity of fauna and flora. It is worth remembering that Paraupebas is divided into five routes, starting with the Water Route, which highlights the abundance of lakes, and resorts such as Águas de Maria, 80km from the city centre.

The Carajás Route, located in an area of preserved forests, has the Vale Zoobotanical Park as an attraction, which houses about 270 animals, including mammals, birds and reptiles. The Buffalo Route, on the other hand, stands out for its gastronomic Tourism, as it includes visits to buffalo mozzarella farms.

About 360km from the city of Parauapebas, the indigenous Route promotes immersion in the culture of the Xikrins tribe, getting to know their culture and experiencing activities such as body painting and handicrafts. On the Rota City Tour, the highlight is Centro Mulheres de Barro, which values local handicrafts and the production of art pieces based on archaeological finds.

SANTARÉM

In its showcase of tourist attractions, Santarém highlights the village of Alter do Chão, with its white sand beaches and green waters that appear in the low months of the Tapajós River. Also worth a visit to Montes Claros and the 19 archaeological sites of the Monte Alegre State Park, that also houses dozens of waterfalls.

In Alter, in addition to the wonderful freshwater beaches, it is worth enjoying the carimbó in the central square and tasting the typical dishes of the region: piracuí cake (flour made from dried fish), aviú (mini freshwater shrimp) and cigar.

You can’t miss the religious Sairé of Alter do Chão; navigate through the Tapajós River; visit Ilha do Amor (a sandbar that appears in the lower Tapajós River and becomes a beautiful beach); climb the Piraoca Hill (an imposing natural formation in the middle of a almost flat terrain); contemplate the sunset at Ponta do Caruru; and shop at the Araribá store.

ILHA DO MARAJÓ

Considered the largest fluvial-maritime island on the planet, Ilha de Marajó has 12 municipalities, including Salvaterra and Soure. The activities on the Island necessarily includes beaches, streams and the Marajoara culture.

There is a lot to do at the destination. However, the Island is not very popular. In general, the island is a mixture of beach and forest with houses and a very simple lifestyle surrounded by buffaloes everywhere.

It is worth a visit to the Marajoara M’barayó ceramic center, where pieces are made by remnants of the native Marajoara tribe. Include in the itinerary the Praia do Pesqueiro, the most famous on the island, which has a good infrastructure. In addition, don’t miss the São Jerônimo Farm. The place raise buffaloes - some used as transportation for the long walks that you will take on the site, where you can explore rivers, beach and mangroves.

Photo: Bruna Brandão - MTur

The indigenous people influence translate into crafts and gastronomy of the region

Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Alter do Chão beach is temporary and only appears between the months of August and November

Photo: Bruna Brandão - MTur

Photo: Bruna Brandão - MTur