The state of Pará is Brasil’s 2nd largest and is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet, covering a massive portion of the Amazon Rainforest. This gorgeous state, including its cosmopolitan capital of Belém, plays host to a stunning array of wildlife, ecosystems, and Afro-indigenous cultures, making it a crucial hub for global conservation efforts. For this very reason, the United Nations is holding their annual Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brasil in November of this year. This conference could be a huge turning point for the Amazon region as a whole, which are considered the lungs of the Earth, and the planet.

Before the world descends on Belém and the surrounding villages, take the opportunity to enjoy the city known by many as the Heart of the Amazon. Also called “Mango City”, simply because of the thousands of magnificent, wild mango trees that line the streets (you can look, but not touch!), Belém is an often overlooked gem when travelers are looking to book their South American journeys. A major port that anchors the area for explorers, but also a city full of sights, sounds, and gastronomy of its own. 

Perfectly placed in Belém is Atrium Quinta das Pedras, a former convent, now a 53-room boutique hotel with on-site restaurant, located right near the City Center. There was a meticulous restoration process that preserved original features of the convent such as stone walls, colonial facades, and the open courtyard where the nuns would commune, while integrating modern amenities, such as a spa.

Exploring the waterways of Brasil’s Amazon offers a deep dive into the world’s largest rainforest, where river villages, freshwater beaches, and wildlife-rich waters can create an unforgettable adventure. Almost all of the smaller villages are reachable only by boat, so you’ll likely need an experienced tour guide familiar with Pará with great connections for these types of immersive tours. When touring you'll come across river communities and indigenous villages with residents that have lived along the Amazon’s waterways for centuries.

Within the Amazonian region of Brasil there is a tapestry of cultural influences, with Black, African and Indigenous traditions forming the cornerstone of its identity. Indigenous people, the original inhabitants of the region, have shaped its cuisine, intimate knowledge of how to traverse the rivers, and even linguistic diversity, you’ll find people in the river basin that speak fluent far away languages such as Japanese, German, and English, in order to communicate with tourists. This truly is an unexpected place and the people who reside here have a relationship with the rainforest that should influence the upcoming global discussions on environmental stewardship in this country.

Along the connecting Tapajós River, there are several villages and towns that will remind you of why you’re exploring this area of the Amazon, simply because of the unmatched beauty. Here, Afro-Indigenous and native people will happily offer travelers insight into traditional ways of life. The river offers restaurateurs crafting unique recipes using the native Giant Water Lilies, known as Victoria Regia, a peek into the beauty and isolation of river life, and how to maintain sustainable fishing of native fish, such as one the largest freshwater fishes in the world, the pirarucu. 

In small river towns such as Santarém, you will encounter a natural wonder called, Meeting of the Waters, where the Amazon and Tapajós Rivers meet. Plus, a little over a block away, have lunch with locals at Restaurante Piracema, considered one of the best places to eat in the region, with hyper Instagrammable decor, they specialize in seafood and fish dishes, of course! 

While on your river village tour of this region, Alter do Chão, is a must-see. Often cited as one of the most beautiful freshwater beaches in the world and called the Caribbean of the Amazon, this white-sand beach only appears in the dry season, which is normally August-January.

Pará is the main producer of one of the superfoods that Americans have become obsessed with in the last decade, açaí. It’s a small, extremely nutritious berry that grows in the Amazon rainforest and is a staple in the region. You can find multiple restaurants and food stalls on Belém’s Gastronomy Row, with both sweet and savory recipes featuring açaí. When in the city’s Central Market, Mercado Ver-o-Peso, not only will you find the mainstay fruit plentiful, but tons of fish and farmers selling their goods. This market is a showcase of the ecological bounty that has sustained nearby communities and preserved traditional fishing and farming practices for ages. Eco-travelers and food tourists will find themselves enthralled here.

One of the most special places in Belém is a visit to Mangal das Garças Ecological Park, a perfect way to wrap up a trip to the Amazonian region. A lush landscape in the middle of the city, this massive eco-park gives visitors a peek into the Amazon’s vast biodiversity. Full of tropical birds, owls, and plants, the park hosts a romantic, butterfly sanctuary and a viewing tower where you can lookout and photograph the entire city. 

Belém shows up in ways that many South American cities simply cannot due to its access to many vital water access points and also stands as an example of how urbanists and naturists can coexist. The city has become an emerging destination for the discerning ecotourist, without seemingly losing any of its charm. So, if you want more than just a taste of the Amazon, Belém is a nice place to start by experiencing the world’s greenest space in a way that honors its wild beauty and the communities that call it home.

Street art depicting Amazonian culture can be found even in the smaller villages of the region.

The pirarucu fish is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world and is native to Brasil's Amazonian region. It's regularly grilled and served with lime and other native dishes.

A nut farmer shows off his goods at the Mercado Ver-o-Peso, one of the Central Market's near the port.

Antoino, an owner of one of many fish stalls at Mercado Ver-o-Peso, preps for customers.

Grilling native fish and seafood is a way of life in Amazonia, especially when it comes to family gatherings and special occasions.

Dulce Oliveira, located deep in the Amazon River basin, prepares lunch at her restaurant. She uses only the Victoria Regia plant, an Amazonian water lily, that she grows on her property, to create an all vegan menu.

Theatro da Paz , translated as Peace Theater, is located in the Republic Square of Belém, capital of the state of Pará, in Brazil. It was built during the golden age of rubber in the Amazon Basin.

The chandelier inside Theatro da Paz was crafted by Louis Comfort Tiffany and shipped to Belém from New York City.

Homes in the Amazon have to be built to sustain seasonal flooding, along with other harsh conditions, hence the stilts and open-air frames for cooling.

The waterways surrounding Belém have been used by fishermen for centuries, now eco-travelers join them to learn how Indigenous communities maintain customs.