Tours and activities in Santarem, Brazil

Top experiences in Santarem

The most-booked Santarem tours and tickets right now

Viator
Alter do Chão FLONA Jamaraquá Tour
Alter do Chao FLONA Jamaraqua “Tapajos National Forest” is a fabulous tour with numerous attractions, great beauty and a unique learning opportunity. For us at Selvagem Tours FLONA Jamaraqua is a “journey” a pleasant way to explore various beaches, attractions and communities before arriving in Jamaraqua; to the other companies it is simply a “destination.”.
4.8(50)
1 hour - 8 hours
Santarem, Brazil
RussianPortugueseEnglish+2
From
$92
Viator
Alter do Chão Arapiuns River Tour
Amazon Arapiuns River Tours in Alter do Chao is an unparalleled adventure for its lush banks of rock formations, its beautiful deserted beaches and long sand dunes that stretch for tens of meters. In this wonderful scenario are communities that manually produce their own crafts using straws seeds and roots for coloring and decoration, communities that create turtles, bees, fish and practice international ecotourism.
4.7(47)
8 hours
Santarem, Brazil
Private tour
RussianPortugueseEnglish+2
From
$460
No similar experiences found
Viator
Bike trip from Alter do Chão
Western Pará is famous for being considered the heart of the Amazon. In this region is the historic city of Santarém, poetically known as the Pearl of Tapajós. It considers a city a starting point for discoveries, such as the most beautiful freshwater beaches in the world, in Vila de Alter do Chão. From there, we'll cross by canoe and follow a trail that can only be accessed on foot or by bicycle. On the way, there is the possibility of contemplating birds and trees typical of the Amazon, smelling the white pitch, finding fruit trees from the region and taking an invigorating bath in the Tapajós River or in the lakes of Tapari and Lago Preto.
5.0(33)
4 hours
Santarem, Brazil
Free cancellation
Private tour
PortugueseEnglishSpanish
From
$131
No similar experiences found

Santarem tour FAQs

Common questions about booking Santarem experiences through SimilarTours

When's the best time to visit Santarém?

The dry season (roughly July to November) is easiest for river travel and wildlife spotting - water levels are lower, so pink dolphins and other animals concentrate in certain areas. Wet season (December to June) brings higher water and lush growth, but some lodges and tours scale back. Check before you go to confirm tour schedules for your dates.

How far ahead should I book tours?

Popular multi-day Amazon packages (especially 5 and 7-day trips) book up weeks in advance during peak season, so 2-4 weeks ahead is smart. Day tours like the Arapiuns waterfall trip or Alter do Chão beach tours usually have more flex, but booking a few days ahead gives you better odds of getting your preferred departure time.

Is a guide essential here?

Yes. The river is vast, wildlife is unpredictable, and a good guide knows where to find dolphins and which communities welcome visitors. Most tours here are guided anyway, and a private guide (like the shore tour option) is worth it if you want a customized pace or deep local insight.

How do I get around Santarém itself?

The town centre is walkable, but tours and river trips are the main way most visitors spend their time. Some tours include transport from your hotel; check what's included with your booking. A bike trip from Alter do Chão (one of the popular options here) is a fun way to explore that area on your own.

What do multi-day packages typically include?

Most include meals, accommodation (usually lodge-based), guides, and boat transport, though a few meals might be at your own cost depending on the operator. Always confirm what's included before you book - some full-vacation packages are all-inclusive, while others aren't. Check before you go.

Can families do this, or is it just for adventure seekers?

Families book river cruises and day tours here regularly. Kids usually love the boat time and spotting animals. For very young children or anyone with mobility issues, day tours on calmer sections of river or to Alter do Chão are easier than 5-7 day deep-jungle packages. Check the tour operator's accessibility details before booking.

Is the boat trip from Santarém to Belém worth the time?

If you're chasing a different kind of Amazon experience (slow-travel river culture, meeting locals on a longer journey), yes. It takes a full day or more and you're mostly on the water. If you want wildlife and immersion in the rainforest itself, a land-based or lodge-based multi-day tour will give you more focused time in nature.