The Amazon gateway city of Santarém delivers authentic jungle experiences without the tourist crowds of larger ports. Three standout tours consistently earn top marks: The Arapiuns River excursion connects visitors with pristine rainforest and indigenous communities, while the FLONA Jamaraquá trek explores protected forest reserves on foot. The Water Encounters tour – my favorite – perfectly captures the meeting of the Amazon’s famous rivers. Each tour includes essential amenities (meals, professional guides, transport) and maintains small groups for better wildlife viewing. Though accessibility is limited, these outings represent the real Amazon at its finest.

Let’s examine our recommended tours:

Key Points

  • Alter Do Chão Arapiuns River Tour offers a diverse experience including straw craft production, beach picnics, sand dunes, and Amazonian insights.
  • Alter Do Chão FLONA Jamaraquá Tour provides a full-day exploration of the Tapajós National Forest and Amazon Rainforest with multiple beach visits and local cuisine.
  • Santarém Water Encounters Tour features guided navigation between the Amazon and Tapajós rivers with wildlife spotting, refreshments, and a local lunch.
  • Alter Do Chão Jarí Canal Tour immerses visitors in the Amazon’s diverse wildlife, with hiking, swimming, and stunning sunset views.
  • Maica Lake Tour focuses on the Amazon’s remarkable biodiversity, offering opportunities to observe toucans, macaws, iguanas, alligators, and sloths.

Alter Do Chão Arapiuns River Tour

Alter Do Chão Arapiuns River Tour

The Alter do Chão Arapiuns River Tour provides visitors with an opportunity to explore the stunning natural beauty of the Arapiuns River area. This all-day guided tour takes you to the Urucureá community, where you can witness the production of straw crafts.

Guests then enjoy a picnic at the beautiful Caruci beach, complete with fresh fruit and a refreshing swim. The tour also includes a walk through the Torono Tip sand dunes and a chance to dive into the Arapiuns River.

For an additional charge, visitors can opt to visit the Anã community to learn about beekeeping and fish farming. The highlight of the tour is the sunset viewing at the Icuxi tip.

The tour provides beverages, bottled water, and light refreshments, and alcoholic drinks are available for purchase. With a rating of 4.6/5 and 93% of reviewers recommending it, this tour is an excellent choice for those seeking to enjoy the natural beauty of the Santarem region.

Read our full review: Alter Do Chão Arapiuns River Tour Review
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Alter Do Chão FLONA Jamaraquá Tour

Alter Do Chão FLONA Jamaraquá Tour

A full-day adventure awaits visitors on the Alter do Chão FLONA Jamaraquá Tour.

Explore the Tapajós National Forest and Amazon Rainforest, visit multiple beaches along the Amazon River, and observe the diverse flora and fauna at Jamaraqua.

Learn about the region’s rubber history, and enjoy an authentic Amazonian lunch made with local ingredients.

The tour includes beverages, light refreshments, and live commentary on a fast boat. Guests can also enjoy a wild picnic on a desert beach and watch the sunset.

Souvenir photos are available for purchase, and gratuities are included.

The tour departs at 9:00 AM from the CAT Tourist Information Center in Santarém, Brazil, and returns to the same location.

While the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, it’s a great option for those seeking an immersive Amazon experience, with a 97% recommendation rate from 38 travelers who’ve given it an impressive 4.8-star rating.

Read our full review: Alter Do Chão FLONA Jamaraquá Tour Review
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Santarém Water Encounters Tour

Santarém Water Encounters Tour

Exploring the Amazon’s waterways is a captivating experience, and the Santarém Water Encounters Tour offers visitors an immersive opportunity to do just that. Rated 4.7 out of 5 based on 17 reviews, this guided tour allows you to navigate between the Amazon River and the Tapajos, with the chance to spot wildlife like pink river dolphins and black piranhas.

The tour provides a choice between a faster boat or a wooden boat, ensuring a comfortable journey. Refreshments, including beverages, bottled water, and light snacks, are included, and alcoholic drinks are available for purchase.

The tour also includes local taxes, all activities, a local and professional guide, a tour escort, lunch, and gratuities.

Departing from the Alter do Chão – Selvagem Tours, CAT – Centro de informações Turisticas, the tour starts at 9:00 am and ends back at the meeting point. With a maximum of 70 travelers, this tour is a great way to learn about the natural wonders of the Amazon region.

Read our full review: Santarém Water Encounters Tour Review
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Alter Do Chão Jarí Canal Tour

Alter Do Chão Jarí Canal Tour

1 Embarking on an immersive journey through the Jarí Canal, the Alter do Chão Jari Canal Tour offers travelers a comprehensive exploration of the region’s diverse flora, fauna, and captivating environment.

With 21 reviews and a 100% recommendation rate, this tour provides a remarkable opportunity to witness the area’s natural wonders. Visitors can expect to see a variety of wildlife, including sloths, monkeys, parrots, alligators, iguanas, dolphins, and an abundance of bird species.

The tour also includes hiking to Piraoca Mount for panoramic views and swimming or relaxing at the picturesque Selvagem Beach. Priced at R$ 20.00 per person for private tour options, the tour includes bottled water, light refreshments, and snacks, as well as a local guide and entrance fees.

With a start time of 9:00 am and a maximum group size of 70 travelers, this tour is an accessible and engaging way to discover the beauty of Santarém, Brazil.

Read our full review: Alter Do Chão Jarí Canal Tour Review
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Alter Do Chao Sunset Tour

Alter Do Chao Sunset Tour

The Alter do Chão Sunset Tour whisks travelers on an enchanting journey to witness the breathtaking beauty of the region’s vibrant sunsets. This highly-rated tour, with 100% recommendation from past participants, offers an immersive experience in the heart of the Amazon.

Guests can swim in the Enchanted Forest, birdwatch, and spot wildlife like turtles, monkeys, otters, and alligators. They’ll also visit Tilheiro Island and Piranha Lake before enjoying a picnic at Moça Beach with fresh fruit.

The tour culminates in a stunning sunset viewing at Ponta do Cururu Beach. Included in the $59.12 per person cost are ice, water, fresh juices, fruits, and caiprinhas, as well as a boat ride.

Pickup is available, and the tour ends back at the meeting point in Alter do Chão. With 11 reviews and a 5.0-star rating, this sunset tour promises an unforgettable adventure in the Amazon.

Read our full review: Alter Do Chao Sunset Tour Review
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Amazon Arapiuns River Aruã Waterfall Tour

Amazon Arapiuns River Aruã Waterfall Tour

Travelers can embark on an immersive 5-day adventure along the Arapiuns River in Brazil, where they’ll have the opportunity to swim beneath the captivating Aruã Waterfall, camp under the stars, and enjoy the vibrant local culture.

The tour includes a range of activities, from wildlife spotting and learning about traditional handicrafts to meeting beekeepers and fish farmers. Guides provide in-depth knowledge, and snorkeling equipment is provided.

Amenities like bottled water, light refreshments, and breakfast, lunch, and alcoholic drinks (available for purchase) are included. The tour starts and ends in Alter do Chão, with pickup options available.

A moderate fitness level is required, and a minimum group size of 5 is necessary. While the tour is non-refundable, prices start at $1,689 per person with a lowest price guarantee, and it has a 5-star rating based on one review.

Read our full review: Amazon Arapiuns River Aruã Waterfall Tour Review
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Alter Do Chão Amorim Tour

Alter Do Chão Amorim Tour

Nestled within the Amorim region of the Tapajos River, the Alter Do Chão Amorim Tour offers travelers an immersive exploration of the Amazon Rainforest’s unique biodiversity.

This full-day private excursion takes guests on a journey to observe the local flora and fauna, learn about the region’s rubber history, and swim in the refreshing waters.

The tour includes light refreshments, bottled water, and a delicious lunch, with alcoholic drinks available for purchase. Guided by local and professional guides, the tour provides a comprehensive understanding of the Amazon ecosystem.

The activity isn’t wheelchair accessible and not recommended for travelers with back problems. However, the tour is stroller-friendly and allows service animals.

With an overall rating of 5.0 based on a single review, the Alter Do Chão Amorim Tour promises an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Amazon.

Read our full review: Alter Do Chão Amorim Tour Review
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Amazon Eco Tour

Amazon Eco Tour

For those seeking a deeper exploration of the Amazon’s sustainable living practices, the Amazon Eco Tour in Santarem, Brazil, offers an immersive experience. This 1 or 2-day tour allows visitors to witness firsthand how indigenous communities in the region live in harmony with their environment.

The tour includes a visit to a local village, where participants can learn sustainability techniques from the residents. Activities may vary based on river levels, but the experience is sure to be both educational and captivating.

The tour package includes a delicious lunch, as well as water, ice, fresh fruit, and caipirinhas served on the boats. Alcoholic beverages are also available.

With four languages spoken – English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian – the tour caters to a diverse audience. While confirmation is received at booking, the tour is non-refundable, and no refunds are given for cancellations.

However, the tour is priced competitively starting at $67.56 per person.

Read our full review: Amazon Eco Tour Review
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Santarém Maica Lake Tour

Santarém Maica Lake Tour

The Santarém Maica Lake Tour offers a full-day excursion into the captivating Amazon Rainforest.

Explorers can expect to witness the lake’s remarkable biodiversity, including toucans, macaws, iguanas, alligators, and sloths. The tour includes light snacks, refreshments, and a delicious lunch, along with the guidance of a professional local host.

The meeting point is at Alter do Chão, where guests can choose to meet or be picked up directly. The tour begins at 9:00 am and returns to the starting point.

Multilingual guides are available, and the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, though service animals are allowed.

While past reviews have praised the guide and skipper, some have noted limited animal sightings.

With a maximum capacity of 70 travelers, this tour provides an intimate experience for those seeking to explore the wonders of the Amazon.

Confirmation is received upon booking, and the tour is conveniently located near public transportation.

Read our full review: Santarém Maica Lake Tour Review
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The Sum Up

Santarém offers a variety of tours showcasing the region’s natural wonders. From the Arapiuns River to the Maica Lake, visitors can explore the Amazon’s diverse landscapes and wildlife. Whether you’re interested in a sunset cruise or a waterfall adventure, there’s a tour to suit your preferences. With knowledgeable guides and comfortable transportation, these tours provide an excellent way to experience the beauty of Santarém.