Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BRL
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (dry season, beaches at their fullest)
- avoid Dec–Mar (rainy season, many beaches disappear)
- Airport
- STM
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Brazil ↗US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa (about US$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Alter do Chão190 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Alter do Chão, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$).Brazil-wide
- SIM or eSIMVivo, Claro and TIM cover the country; buying a prepaid SIM needs a passport and sometimes a CPF — an eSIM before you fly is easier.Brazil-wide
- Tap waterDo not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.Brazil-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% service (serviço) usually on the bill; optional but normal.Brazil-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/N. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Brazil-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; petty crime is low, but keep valuables secure and avoid isolated beaches after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.Brazil-wide
- Emergency numbers190 police · 192 ambulance · 193 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysCarnival shuts many businesses for several days; museums often close on Mondays.Brazil-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSTM Santarém International Airport (30 km (19 mi) away; taxi or bus to Santarém then local bus to Alter do Chão).STM Santarém International Airport (19 mi (30 km) away; taxi or bus to Santarém then local bus to Alter do Chão).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable; hire a canoe for R$3 (≈ under US$1) (up to 4 people) to reach Ilha do Amor.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- STM Santarém International Airport (30 km (19 mi) away; taxi or bus to Santarém then local bus to Alter do Chão)STM Santarém International Airport (19 mi (30 km) away; taxi or bus to Santarém then local bus to Alter do Chão)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jan (15 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Alter do Chão: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting 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 & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: ≈ 1 h 15 min
Bus from Santarém central station, about 1 h; walk from bus stop to town centre
Historic riverside town, good for a half‑day market visit.
Flona do Tapajós
goDoor to door: ≈ 2 h total
Local bus to Alter do Chão, then canoe or walk to reserve entrance (≈ 30 min)
Entry R$6.5; trails, wildlife and river tours.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
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
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- R$50–80 (≈ US$10–15) excl. bed
- Mid
- R$80–130 (≈ US$15–25) excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Bus Santarém → Alter do Chão | R$3.5 (≈ under US$1) |
| Canoe hire to Ilha do Amor (up to 4) | R$3 (≈ under US$1) |
| Pizza at Amazônia Pizza | R$30–50 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Burger at X bom | R$15 (≈ US$3) |
| Flona do Tapajós entry | R$6.5 (≈ US$2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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 (≈ under US$1); check scheduleBuses to Alter run every 35 min from 5:30 AM–11:00 PM, R$3.5 (≈ under US$1); check schedule
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 190
- Ambulance
- 192
- Fire
- 193
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Alter do ChãoAlter do Chão
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police190
- Ambulance192
- Fire193
Embassy
US consulate in Belém (check address); other embassies in Brasília.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Santarém → Alter do Chão bus: R$3.5 (≈ under US$1), every 35 min from 05:30–23:00 (check schedule)R$3.5 (≈ under US$1), every 35 min from 5:30 AM–11:00 PM (check schedule)
- Canoe to Ilha do Amor: R$3 (≈ under US$1) for up to four people
Say or show
- Desculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dehs-KOOL-peh)
- Obrigado — Thank you (oh-bree-GAH-doo)
- Quanto custa? — How much is it? (KWAHN-toh KOOS-tah)
- Onde fica o banheiro? — Where is the bathroom? (OHN-jee FEE-kah oo bahn-YEH-roh)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Alter do Chão. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep (dry season, beaches at their fullest) · avoid Dec–Mar (rainy season, many beaches disappear) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Alter do Chão
Loading…
Was this useful?