How to take the slow boat from Santarem to Belem
- Rachel
- Oct 8
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 15
Travelling the Amazon River by passenger boat is a common and cost-effective way to move between cities in northern Brazil. The boat from Santarem to Belem, is one of the busiest and most accessible routes.
The distance between Santarém and Belem is about 876 kilometres along the Amazon River. The scheduled travel time by boat is around 50 hours. However, river traffic, weather conditions, police checks, and mechanical issues often cause delays. Plan your onward connections with flexibility in case of late arrival.
Though boat journey from Santarem to Belem is long, sleeping in a hammock on an open-air deck while cruising along the Amazon River is a unique and interesting travel experience.
How to book a ticket for the Slow Boat to Belem
Tickets for the boat from Santarem to Belem are sold at the river port in Santarem and through travel agencies or ticket offices near the docks. Most travellers choose a hammock space, which cost around R$ 300+ (2025) per person for the Santarem to Belem route. Shop around for the best price.
Private cabins are available on most boats. Unlike hammock spots, prices for private rooms vary significantly depending on the boat, cabin size, and whether it has air-conditioning. Basic cabins start around R$ 750+ per person and can increase dramatically for more spacious or better-equipped rooms.
Despite the price, private cabins are not necessarily a luxury experience. Still, if you want privacy, a more secure lockable space, or air conditioning, private cabins can be a good choice.
To buy a ticket you will need a government-issued photo ID or passport. Brazilian citizens can use an RG or other official ID. An ID is required both to issue the ticket and to board the boat, and was checked again once during the journey.
Boat schedule from Santarem to Belem & choosing a good boat
Boats from Santarem to Belem depart every day of the week, and most days have two choices of departure time: 12pm and 6pm. Most boats make the trip once per week, meaning each day there will be different boats available offering different services and experiences. If you have flexibility in your schedule, it is worth researching the available boats and choosing a better quality experience.
Before you depart: Getting ready for your Slow Boat Trip to Belem
Buying & setting up your hammock
Before you depart, there are a few things you need to organise. The most important is to buy a hammock, as the hammocks themselves are not included in the ticket price nor are they available to rent.
In Santarem you can buy basic hammocks for $R 50, or spend a little more for a more comfortable fabric. Hammocks come in two sizes: single and double. Make sure you buy a single hammock, as couples are not allowed to share a hammock on the boat. If you already came to Santarem by boat from Manaus, you can re-use your hammock.
The hammock area is a large open deck, with hooks or rails for tying hammocks. Check whether the boat provides hooks in the area you will be using. If not, you will need to buy rope to hang your hammock. Rope costs R$ 6 for two pieces (enough to hang one hammock) in local shops.
Passengers are allowed to board the boat the day before departure. Doing this gives you time to select a good space and hang your hammock before the deck fills up. This is a good idea if you want to select a good spot, meaning:
several spaces together if you are travelling as a group
near a power outlet
behind a wall (to block the wind)
away from the toilets
What to bring on the Slow Boat
The day before your trip, you might also want to buy some supplies. It is advisable to bring your own snacks, fruit or items you prefer for the journey. Food options can be limited and quality varies depending on your chosen boat. Some passengers bring a small cooler box to store perishable items.
Here is what to pack for your trip:
A refillable water bottle to drink from the water fountain (or, a big 5L bottle of water to minimise the amount of boat water you drink)
Snacks!
insect repellent - mosquitos come out around dusk
Entertainment, like a pack of cards or travel game
A light jacket or blanket for the night time when the wind can become cooler
Pillow - I used this inflatable pillow in the hammock, as it doesn't take up space in my bag
Ear plugs and eye-mask - there were dark blue lights on all night, and noise from other passengers throughout the night
A head torch - if you don't want to sleep at 8.30pm when the lights turn off
Extension cord with multiple outlets - there are limited power outlets on the boat and you will have to share
Enough cash to pay for all of your food and drink during the journey. PIX is accepted, if/when you have a internet connection.
Onboard Facilities on the Slow Boat
What you'll eat on the slow boat
Most boats on the Santarém to Belem route have a small restaurant selling simple meals, soft drinks, and beer. Meal times are very early, but on most boats, there is an option to pack a disposable takeaway container and eat later. Some boats are buffet style, while others are PF style (you order a plate of food with your choice of meat).
While all boats operate a little differently, this was my experience:
Breakfast (5am): We were served coffee, ham and cheese sandwiches, and fruit.
Lunch (11am): Typical options include rice, beans, salad, chicken, and meat at lunch and dinner times. Lunch is only served on the second day. There were some good takeaway lunches being sold on the boat by other vendors before departure on the first day.
Dinner (5.30pm): Exactly the same food as served at lunch. Note that the second day of the trip, dinner is not served. Make sure you have some snacks leftover as my boat did not arrive until 9pm.
Coffee: Served for free after every meal, not available to purchase at other times
Snacks (available all day): The canteen sold popcorn, crisps, cup noodles, beer, and soft drink
While the food quality seemed good on the boat, apparently most boats do recycle the uneaten food from the day before. One person in my group of three people did get sick after taking the boat.
You can also buy some snacks and meals along the way when the boat docks in other cities, however options are limited and stops are infrequent. Don't rely on this option for food. During the journey, some small boats from local communities may pull up along side the boat to sell snacks. This happens more frequently closer to Belem.
Meal prices on the Slow Boat
Prices are a little higher than on land, but were really not too expensive, given the circumstances. Payment is in cash or PIX (but don't rely on having internet) at the counter.
On my boat, I paid:
Around R$30 for lunch & dinner (pay by weight)
R$15 for breakfast, including food and coffee
R$7 for a small beer and soft drinks
R$2-5 for snacks at other ports (donuts, homemade chips, ice-creams, coffee)
Drinking water on the Slow Boat
Some boats have water fountains where you can refill your water bottles, but this is not guaranteed. If you are unsure, bring enough bottled water for at least two days.
While I didn't personally experience any problems drinking the boat's filtered water, some people did not trust the water and preferred to bring bottled water. If you have a sensitive stomach, consider bringing a big 5L water bottle for your trip.
Showers & Toilets on the Slow Boat
Toilets and showers are shared, unless you book a private cabin with an ensuite. Showers use water from the river, but are still very refreshing.
Cleanliness depends on passenger numbers and crew maintenance. It's a good idea to bring your own hygiene items such as toilet paper, soap, and a towel.
Wifi & Phone Signal on the Slow Boat
4G connection was available while passing small towns, though less frequently than on the Manaus to Santarem route. Wi-Fi is also available for sale, for R$10 for one hour or R$35 for the whole trip (2025).
The Journey: Slow boat from Santarem to Belem
After leaving Santarem the boat travels through downstream past small villages, forest, and tributaries. You will also see the sunrise and sunset over the Amazon River. As you approach Belem, there are more riverine communities that send out small boats to sell snacks. Aside from this, there is not much to see, but it's a very peaceful journey.
During daylight hours passengers often sit on deck watching the scenery, playing cards, reading, or watching movies. At night the hammock area becomes the sleeping space. The main lights were turned off early, around 8.30pm, but some blue lights remained on all night.
Safety and Security
Keep your valuables secure. While most passengers are locals or travellers simply moving between towns, theft can occur in crowded sleeping areas. Bring a padlock for your bag and keep valuables with you at all times. Private cabins offer more security for your belongings.
Lifejackets are carried onboard and emergency exits are marked. If you are unsure of safety procedures, ask a crew member directly.
Practical Tips for the Amazon Slow Boat Trip
Buy your ticket in advance to ensure you can travel on your desired day and boat
Purchase your hammock and rope in Santarem before boarding
Arrive at the boat a day early to hang your hammock and choose a good spot. If you can't go the day before, arrive at least 2 hours before departure to get a good spot.
Bring plenty of snacks and drinking water
Expect delays beyond the scheduled 50 hours
Arriving in Belem by Boat
Boats dock at the main river port in Belem. From there you can take a taxi or rideshare to the city centre. There will be various taxi drivers waiting at the port, but the cheaper option is to call an Uber.
The Return Trip: Belem to Santarém by Slow Boat
The return trip is exactly the same, the only difference is the travel time. Travelling from Belem to Santarem means travelling upstream, and is therefore a longer journey. The return trip takes around three days and will require sleeping three nights on board.
More resources for planning your trip to Brazil
Find cheap bus, ferry, and private transfer tickets on Bookaway, where you can make reservations ahead of time from abroad. Or, rent a car and give yourself the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Find your perfect accommodation on Booking.com, with thousands of options ranging from luxury hotels to budget-friendly backpacker hostels
You're not ready to travel until you have travel insurance. I recommend Safety Wing to my friends, family, and anyone travelling internationally. Get a free quote
Forgetting something? Read my packing check-list for Brazil, and my list of 10 things you should do before you travel to Brazil
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