Alter do Chão, Beach district along Tapajós River in Santarém, Brazil.
Alter do Chão is a beach district along the Tapajós River in Santarém, known for its pale sand and shallow water areas that form natural swimming zones within the Amazon region. The settlement spreads along the riverbank, where seasonal changes regularly transform the shape and size of the beaches.
Indigenous groups inhabited this riverside area for centuries before modern settlement arrived in the region. The location later developed as a trading post tied to river transport and commerce, which shaped how the community grew.
The Sairé festival runs from June through September and draws locals who celebrate with traditional music, regional dishes, and community gatherings that reflect river life customs.
The best time to swim is during the dry season when the beaches expand and the water stays shallow. During the rainy season, most beaches disappear under higher water levels, so plan your visit accordingly.
The white sandbars resemble Caribbean beaches and form through the river's seasonal water level changes that completely reshape the landscape. Some visitors call it the Amazon's Caribbean corner because of this surprising similarity.
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