Brazil's Northern Region
The Ultimate Brazil Travel Guide: Belem
Fishing villages lie along the northern coast, at the mouth of the Amazon River.
Belém is the capital of Pará, located at the mouth of the Amazon River, and is an important cultural and commercial center in northern Brazil. Known for its colonial architecture, including the Forte do Presépio and Mercado Ver-o-Peso, Belém offers a glimpse into Amazonian life. The city's culinary scene is renowned for dishes that feature ingredients from the Amazon, such as açaí and tucupi.
Top 12 Things to See & Do in Belém
Visit Mercado Ver-o-Peso: Explore one of the largest open-air markets in South America. Located by the Guajará Bay, the market offers Amazonian fish, fruits, medicinal herbs and handcrafted goods. It has operated since the 17th century and includes several buildings such as the Iron Market and the Meat Market.
Stroll through Mangal das Garças Park: This ecological park covers approximately 40,000 square metres on the banks of the Guamá River. It includes a butterfly garden, an aviary with native birds, a lookout tower with city views and a small museum about the Amazon ecosystem.
Learn about the Amazon region at Estação das Docas: A revitalised port area with three restored warehouses. It features cultural exhibitions, local food stalls, shops selling Amazonian products and live music events. The site also includes a museum and views of the river.
Explore the Forte do Presépio: This 17th-century fort is located in Cidade Velha. It houses the Museum of Sacred Art and archaeological exhibits. The site marks the foundation of Belém in 1616 and overlooks the Guajará Bay.
See a show at Theatro da Paz: Built in 1878, the theatre hosts concerts, operas and plays. It offers guided tours when no performances are scheduled. Check the official program for schedules and ticket availability.
Visit the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi: Founded in 1866, this scientific institution has a zoological-botanical park, a natural history museum and research facilities. It focuses on the biodiversity and cultures of the Amazon region.
Walk through Cidade Velha (Old Town): The historical centre of Belém features colonial-era churches, old mansions and cobbled streets. Key sites include the Sé Cathedral, Palácio Antônio Lemos and the Solar da Beira.
Take a river tour around the Guajará Bay and nearby islands: Local operators offer boat trips to islands such as Combu and Mosqueiro. These tours usually include visits to riverside communities, cacao plantations and forest trails.
Visit Ilha do Marajó (Buffalo Island): Take a ferry from Belém to Ilha do Marajó. The island is known for its water buffalo population, Marajoara pottery, and river beaches. Activities include visiting buffalo farms, riding water buffalo and exploring mangrove areas and savannas.
Visit the Basílica de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré: This Catholic church is the focal point of the Círio de Nazaré procession. It features neoclassical architecture and holds religious art and relics related to the devotion to Our Lady of Nazareth.
Sample regional dishes at a local restaurant: Try traditional Amazonian cuisine such as tacacá, maniçoba and pato no tucupi.
See the art at Museu de Arte de Belém (MABE): Located in Palácio Antônio Lemos, the museum has a collection of paintings, sculptures and decorative arts. Exhibitions focus on regional and national artists from the 19th and 20th centuries.
How long should you spend in Belem?
Spend at least 5 days in Belem, to take day trips to the nearby islands, and to explore the city's markets, museums, and old town.
Where to stay in Belem
There are several main areas to stay in Belem, including Nazaré, Umarizal and Batista Campos. Nazaré is a central neighbourhood with cultural attractions, while Umarizal and Batista Campos have some tourist infrastructure such as hotels and restaurants. These neighbourhoods are considered safer and have better infrastructure, including hotels, restaurants and public transport, but still require some basic safety precautions, especially at night. Areas such as Guamá, Terra Firme and Jurunas have higher crime rates and are generally avoided by tourists.
Find cheap accommodation for your stay in Belem, or check out my personal recommendations:
Hotels & Guesthouses
Radisson Hotel Belem - best for those seeking an international hotel with outdoor pool (see prices)
Resort Parc Paradiso - luxury hotel with pool, gym, and tennis court (see prices)
Cas'Amazonia Brasil - beautiful guesthouse with garden and courtyard (see prices)
Apartments
Casa Brisa do Bosque - holiday house with pool (see prices)
Residencial Foz do Iguaçu - apartment with pool in a residential building (see prices)
Apto próximo ao Shopping Boulevard (see prices)
Hostels
ÔVibe Party Hostel - best for backpackers looking for a lively social scene (see prices)
Escapes Near Belem
Olaria River Hostel - private rooms and dorms in a beautifully renovated homestay on Ilha do Combu, an island adjacent to Belem (see prices)
Where is Belem, Brazil
Closest airport
Aeroporto Internacional Val-de-Cans (BEL)
Main bus terminal
Terminal Rodoviário de Belém
Terminal Hidroviária
Main ports
How to get to Belem
How to get to Belem by Plane
Belem, the capital of Pará state in northern Brazil, is accessible by various modes of transportation. The most convenient way to reach Belem is by air, with the airport offering international flights from For Lauderdale and Lisbon, and domestic flights from most major cities including Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Fortaleza, and Santarem.
How to get to Belem by Bus
See all bus connections and find cheap tickets to Belem
Belém can be reached via long-distance bus services from other Brazilian cities in the north-east, although these journeys are very time consuming due to the long distances. To reach Belem by bus from Sao Luis takes 16 hours (tickets & timetable), and from Santarem takes 25 hours (tickets & timetable).
How to get to Belem from Manaus (via Santarem)
For a more unique approach, take a boat along the Amazon River, with regular services connecting Belém to Manaus, Santarem, and other Amazonian destinations. The trip from Manaus to Belem takes around 4-5 days downstream: 2 days/1 night from Manaus to Santarem, and a further 2.5 days/2 nights from Santarem to Belem. Note, the reverse trip from Belem to Manaus, upstream, is slower and takes around 6 days. Times also depend on the boat and the river conditions.
This trip offers a unique opportunity to experience the landscapes of the Amazon rainforest. Amenities are very basic and include hammock-style sleeping arrangements on board.
How to visit Ilha de Marajo from Belem
Ilha de Marajo, located at the mouth of the Amazon River across from the river from Belem, is the world's largest river island. known for its rich biodiversity, unique culture, and traditional lifestyles. The island is famous for its large population of water buffalo, which roam freely and play a significant role in the local economy, used for milk, meat, and even transportation.
A distinctive dish on the island is tacacá com tucupi, a soup made from manioc root and indigenous spices, often featuring the turu worm, a traditional delicacy. Marajo is also deeply influenced by indigenous cultures, especially the Marajoara people, who left a legacy of intricate pottery, unique artistic traditions, and sustainable agricultural practices that still shape the island's culture today.
It is accessible by boat from Belem's main port Terminal Hidroviário De Belém, taking around 2.5 hours, or longer depending on the river conditions.
Top tours in Belem
How to get around Belem
Getting around Belem is relatively straightforward, with several transportation options available. The city's public transportation system includes cheap buses that cover extensive routes throughout the metropolitan area. Up to date routes and timetables are can be found on Google Maps by searching for directions.
Ride-sharing services like Uber are also widely available and inexpensive, are a safer way to travel after dark.
It is possible to walk in the historic district where many attractions are clustered. Renting a bicycle is an increasingly popular choice, with dedicated bike lanes available in some parts of the city.
Things to know before you go to Belem
Belem is known for its rich history and unique Amazonian cuisine. Visitors should be aware that the climate is hot and humid year-round, with a pronounced rainy season from December to May, so packing light, breathable clothing and rain gear is advisable. The city's historic center, including landmarks like the Ver-o-Peso Market, Forte do Presépio, and the Theatro da Paz, offers a glimpse into its colonial past. It's also important to exercise standard safety precautions, as with any major city, including being mindful of belongings and avoiding less populated areas at night.
Travel insurance for a trip to the Belem & the Amazon Rainforest
Travel insurance is not just a nice-to-have, it is an important safety-net that can prevent a stressful incident from turning into a costly and time-consuming disaster. The reality is that unexpected events can happen on any trip. Even something as simple as missing a connecting flight can lead to unexpected accommodation and transport costs. If you become unwell, medical bills in another country can quickly become expensive. Without insurance, you have to handle all of this on your own in an unfamiliar environment, possibly in a language you do not speak.
I have personally relied on travel insurance multiple times, including when I had belongings stolen in Europe, fell sick while travelling in Asia, and had flights cancelled. In each case, the support I received meant I could focus on solving the problem instead of worrying about costs.
When travelling to the Amazon and other remote islands around Belem, it is especially important to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and evacuation, as the city’s remote location and surrounding rainforest can make access to specialised care more difficult.
For a small daily cost, you can be covered for a wide range of scenarios, from theft to delayed flights and medical emergencies. Having one phone number to call and a company that deals with the problem for you is worth far more than the price of the policy. I personally use Safety Wing, and I recommend them to friends, family, and anyone travelling internationally. You can get a quote here.
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