On the banks of the Guamá river
We start the tour through the best-known tourist spot in Belém, the Ver-o-Peso Market, on the banks of the Guamá River. In its hundreds of tents, it is possible to find a little of everything that arrives and what is produced in the city: fresh fish, typical fruits, local cachaças, exotic seasonings, diverse clothes, medicinal herbs, indigenous crafts and much more. And if you feel hungry, nothing like appeasing it at riverside restaurants serving freshly prepared regional specialties.
Located next to it, the Docks Station is where boats leave for the nearby islands. One of the itineraries takes visitors to enjoy the sunset navigating the waters of Guamá. Unmissable! In the Docks you can also get acquainted with the history of the occupation of Belém, eat in good restaurants and buy souvenirs of the city, such as the famous jambu cachaça, which leaves the tongue dormant.
At night, the request is to listen (and dance) to local music. From tecnobrega to carimbó, through to guitarrada, there are programs for all tastes. At the Docks Station itself, there is a weekly cultural program with these presentations.
A great religious feast
One of the greatest manifestations of faith in Brazil, the Círio attracts to Bethlehem millions of faithful and visitors, who gather on the second Sunday of October in honor of Our Lady of Nazareth. If you go in that season, get ready to find the church and the streets around people taken. In addition, the residences, the hotels, and even the airport are with the facades decorated with the theme of the Círio and images of Our Lady. And the best: in case you can not visit Bethlehem on a specific date, you can enjoy the decoration even after the party because it is still maintained for a few days.
Then head to Princesa Isabel Square and take one of the boats that depart towards Combu Island, a piece of the Amazon Forest next to the city. The island has dozens of restaurants set up on the banks of the river. Choose yours and take a refreshing swim in while your lunch is being prepared. A hint? Fish with açaí. Unlike the other Brazilian regions, in the North, the açaí is also served as a meal accompaniment. No sugar, of course.
After lunch, it’s time to exchange one paradise for another: leave Combu Island and go to Mangal das Garças Park. The park occupies an area of 40,000 m² and houses endemic species of local flora and fauna, as well as the Amazonian Museum of Navigation and the Tower, from which one can enjoy a panoramic view of the Guamá River and Belém.
Manaus is also architecture
Capital of the state of Amazonas, Manaus is embedded in the largest forest on the planet. However, it is not only by nature that the city is known. Its architecture also deserves to be observed.
Built for the 2014 World Cup, Arena da Amazônia stadium has architecture inspired by the nearby forest: its metallic structure resembles an Indian straw basket. Multipurpose, receive games, shows and other events. Some football matches of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games were held there.
The center of Manaus houses mansions and buildings from the rubber cycle era, built at the end of the 19th century, when the economy in the city revolved around the latex extracted from the Amazonian rubber trees. Its main pearl is the Teatro Amazonas, erected with materials imported from Europe and considered one of the most beautiful theaters in the world. The venue regularly hosts operas and classical music shows. But there was even the stage of rock concerts: the American group The White Stripes recorded a live album there.
Enjoy that you are downtown and look for one of the many bars that play local music. The program is even better if accompanied by a delicious Amazon meal.
