In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Brazil
Alter do Chão
Spend 2 days: beach, Flona do Tapajós, and a short hike; then return to Santarém.
Alter do Chão is a small riverside beach town on the Tapajós, about an hour south of Santarém. Its main draw is the white‑sand freshwater beach and nearby Flona do Tapajós nature reserve. The town is walkable, with cheap hostels and simple meals. Two days let you relax on the beach, visit the reserve, and try a local pizza or burger.
- Country
- Brazil
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (dry season, beaches at their fullest)
- Avoid
- Dec–Mar (rainy season, many beaches disappear)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- BRL
- Money
- Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$). About R$5–5.8 per US dollar in 2026 — check. Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere, even at beach kiosks.
- Daily spend
- Budget R$50–80 excl. bed · Mid R$80–130 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vivo, Claro and TIM cover the country; buying a prepaid SIM needs a passport and sometimes a CPF — an eSIM before you fly is easier.
- Emergency
- Police 190 · Ambulance 192 · Fire 193
- Plugs
- Types N, C · 127 V (Rio, São Paulo) or 220 V (Brasília, much of the Northeast) · Check the voltage on the socket; most chargers are dual-voltage.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 10% service (serviço) usually on the bill; optional but normal.; Beach kiosk / bar: Often included; round up.; Taxi / Uber: Not expected; round up.; Guide: US$5–15 per person per day.; Hotel staff: Small tip for porters.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.
- Toilets
- Put toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bus Santarém → Alter do Chão | R$3.5 |
| Canoe hire to Ilha do Amor (up to 4) | R$3 |
| Pizza at Amazônia Pizza | R$30–50 |
| Burger at X bom | R$15 |
| Flona do Tapajós entry | R$6.5 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- STM · Santarém International Airport
- 30 km (19 mi) away; taxi or bus to Santarém then local bus to Alter do Chão19 mi (30 km) away; taxi or bus to Santarém then local bus to Alter do Chão
Typical fares
- Santarém → Alter do Chão bus
- R$3.5, every 35 min from 05:30–23:00 (check schedule)R$3.5, every 35 min from 5:30 AM–11:00 PM (check schedule)
- Canoe to Ilha do Amor
- R$3 for up to four people
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town is walkable; hire a canoe for R$3 (up to 4 people) to reach Ilha do Amor. No public transport needed within town.
See and do
Known for
- Freshwater beach on the Tapajós River
- Flona do Tapajós nature reserve
- Ilha do Amor canoe trips
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Santarém | Bus from Santarém central station, about 1 h; walk from bus stop to town centre | ≈ 1 h 15 min |
| Flona do Tapajós | Local bus to Alter do Chão, then canoe or walk to reserve entrance (≈ 30 min) | ≈ 2 h total |
Sleep
- Albergue da Floresta
- Hammock space R$15, kitchen use free
- Pousada Alter do Chão
- Single room R$30 + breakfast, wifi
- Comuníndios – Altar do Xá
- Camping/hammock R$10, basic kitchen
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Desculpedehs-KOOL-peh |
| Thank you | Obrigadooh-bree-GAH-doo |
| How much is it? | Quanto custa?KWAHN-toh KOOS-tah |
| Where is the bathroom? | Onde fica o banheiro?OHN-jee FEE-kah oo bahn-YEH-roh |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, hug or cheek kiss (one in São Paulo, two in Rio); avoid: Being stiff with new acquaintances
- Gestures: Use thumbs-up freely; avoid: The OK hand sign (it is rude)
- Language: Try Portuguese; say obrigado/obrigada; avoid: Defaulting to Spanish
- Time: Expect relaxed social punctuality; avoid: Being late for tours and flights
- Beach: Bring only a towel, cash and a copy of your ID; avoid: Leaving things unattended
Scams and watch-outs
- Stingrays on remote beaches – shuffle feet in water
- Beach size varies with season; many disappear in rainy months
- Buses to Alter run every 35 min from 05:30–23:00, R$3.5; check schedule
Generally safe for tourists; petty crime is low, but keep valuables secure and avoid isolated beaches after dark.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Alter do Chão yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Freshwater beach on the Tapajós River
- Flona do Tapajós nature reserve
- Ilha do Amor canoe trips
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Alter do Chão coordinates: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Alter do Chão, revision 5276479 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5276479
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/alter-do-chao). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.