Belém Belém

Mango Tree City, Cidade Morena, Belem do Para

The capital city of the state of Para is one of the oldest in Brazil and it’s not by chance that it is known as the mango tree city. Some streets are true mango tree corridors that exude a pleasant fragrance and provide shade for those who go through them.

Belem is one of those cities that have everything, from beaches to forest, from historical landmarks to modern tourist points. And on top of all that, there is the intense fragrances, flavors, customs, sounds of Para and the tropical spark of its people.

Weather

Due to the proximity to the Amazon Forest, it rains a lot. The weather is also hot the whole year round.

Walking through the streets in Belem, you get to Cidade Vellha (Old City) or Feliz Lusitania, one of the most important cultural and historical references in the state. Among museums, palaces and mansions, there are beautiful buildings from the time when rubber tapping brought European riches and luxuries to Belem. The Forte do Castelo do Senhor Santo Cristo do Presépio de Belem (Fortress of the Castle of Our Lord Holy Christ of the Nativity of Belem) , also known as Forte do Presepio, can also be visited.

The religious complex has features such as the Archdiocese Cathedral, where, on the second Sunday of October, one of the greatest religious processions in the country departs: Cirio de Nazare.

In the Old City, you can also visit Mangal das Garças Park, where you can find hundreds of aquatic birds, like herons and tuiuius, and visit the observatory over the Guama river.

Gastronomy

Another must-see is the Ver-o-Peso Market, where you find fruits, native Brazilian and marajoara handicraft, fish, etc. There you can try most of the delicious dishes of Para’s gastronomy. Açai, typical fruit from the Amazon, unha de carangueijo, a treat filled with crab meat, and tacaca, a kind of broth made with manioc starch, jambu leaves and dry shrimp.

To enjoy yourself, a good suggestion is Estaçao das Docas (Dock Station). The place offers restaurants, shows and handicraft. There you can watch a carimbo presentation, a typical dance of native Brazilian origin and African influence.

Beaches

Adventure is a sure thing on the hikes through the forest and boat rides, since Belem is located in the Amazon region and is permeated by rivers. Some islands have amazing beaches, like Mosqueiro.

The beaches formed by rivers, or those in the Atlantic coast or igarapes (canals flowing into the woods) are ideal to enjoy the sunny weather in Para. Alter do Chao beach, in Santarem, is a great option.

Boat rides are also a great tip if you want to visit other beaches or islands in the area, like Marajo. It’s also possible to go from Belem to Manaus through the Amazon River.