Santarém

Santarém is a municipality and major settlement at the meeting of the Tapajós and Amazon rivers in northern Brazil, sitting on a narrow strip of land that separates the two waterways. The built area extends from the dense historic center to scattered neighborhoods along the shores, with sandy beaches and floating houses reflecting the changing water levels.

A Jesuit priest built a chapel here in 1661, around which a small settlement formed, initially called Aldeia do Tapajós. The renaming came later after a town in Portugal, and the place grew gradually through river trade and rubber industry into a regional center.

The city takes its name from a Portuguese town, a colonial link still visible in street names and religious celebrations. Visitors can taste local dishes made from Amazon fish at the river beaches and watch fishing boats return in the late afternoon.

A visit works best during the dry season from August to December, when river shores widen and moving around the center becomes easier. Motorcycle taxis and small boats connect the different neighborhoods, and it is wise to carry a waterproof bag for trips on the water.

The two rivers meet here without blending, so that clear greenish water from the Tapajós runs alongside the murky brown Amazon. This phenomenon continues for several kilometers downstream and is best observed from a boat.

Location: Pará

Inception: June 22, 1661

Elevation above the sea: 60 m

Shares border with: Alenquer, Aveiro, Curuá, Monte Alegre, Juruti, Mojuí Dos Campos, Uruará, Prainha, Óbidos

Website: http://santarem.pa.gov.br

GPS coordinates: -2.44278,-54.70778

Latest update: December 15, 2025 06:21