In Northern Brazil, history, rainforest, and river culture braid together in a way that feels both cinematic and intimate. This 6-day itinerary pairs Belém—the 17th‑century Amazon port that launched rubber fortunes—with Alter do Chão, a beloved river-beach town near Santarém where the Tapajós turns Caribbean‑blue and sandbars glow at sunset.

Belém dazzles with its Ver‑o‑Peso market, basilica-lined squares, and an Amazonian dining scene led by chefs who treat tucupi, jambu, and pirarucu like fine art. Alter do Chão, meanwhile, slows the pulse: canoe through igapó (flooded forest), hike to big‑sky viewpoints, and share beach picnics as the river mirrors the sky.

Practical notes: Dry season (roughly August–November) brings the best “river‑beach” days in Alter do Chão; high‑water months (December–May) are superb for canoeing through forest channels. Pack sun protection, insect repellent, and quick‑dry layers. Card payments are common in Belém; carry some cash in Alter do Chão. A Yellow Fever vaccine is recommended for Amazon travel.

Belém

Founded in 1616, Belém was Portugal’s first foothold in the Amazon. Today its riverfront warehouses hum with cafés, ice cream parlors, and wine bars, while the Ver‑o‑Peso market remains one of Latin America’s great sensory experiences—perfumed with tucupi steam, açaí pulp, and stacks of rainforest herbs.

Top sights include the Basílica de Nazaré (center of the Círio de Nazaré procession), the green oasis and lighthouse views at Mangal das Garças, the Forte do Presépio in Cidade Velha, and the repurposed docks at Estação das Docas for riverside strolling and live music.

• Where to stay (mid-range and romantic): Search apartments and river-view stays on VRBO Belém or browse hotels near Nazaré and Cidade Velha on Hotels.com Belém. Look for boutique rooms with balconies and strong AC.
• Travel to Belém: Compare flights on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. From many hubs you’ll connect in São Paulo or Brasília; typical fares within Brazil range ~$90–$200 one way.

Dine and sip like a local: Book a table at Remanso do Bosque for modern Amazon flavors (pirarucu, ants‑dusted farofa), or go riverside at Lá em Casa in Estação das Docas for pato no tucupi and maniçoba. For a special occasion, Manjar das Garças pairs sunset views with a refined Amazon menu. Cool off at Sorveteria Cairu—order cupuaçu, bacuri, or taperebá.

Wine tasting in Belém: Stop by Decanter Belém (a respected national wine shop) for a Brazilians‑only tasting flight featuring Serra Gaúcha sparklers and reds; many restaurants above carry thoughtful lists if you’d rather pair a bottle with dinner.

Day 1: Arrival in Belém

Afternoon: Land in Belém and check into your hotel. Stretch your legs at Estação das Docas: walk the boardwalk, peek into artisan shops, and try your first tacacá—a bright, jambu‑tingly broth ladled from market cauldrons.

Evening: Romantic dinner at Manjar das Garças inside Mangal das Garças—arrive before dusk to climb the small lighthouse for views across Guajará Bay. Toast with a Brazilian sparkling wine; share pirarucu with tucupi‑manteiga sauce. Nightcap: açaí sorbet at Cairu with Brazil‑nut praline.

Day 2: Markets, History, and Amazon Flavors

Morning: Dive into the Ver‑o‑Peso market. Sample cupuaçu juice, castanha‑do‑Pará sweets, and fried filhote (catfish). Chat with herb sellers about forest remedies—locals swear by garrafadas for everything from luck to love.

Afternoon: Explore Cidade Velha: the Forte do Presépio, cobbled lanes, and the Casa das Onze Janelas terrace. Late‑day coffee at a neighborhood café, then a quick wander through Basílica de Nazaré—the heart of Belém’s faith and the spectacular October procession.

Evening: Dinner at Remanso do Bosque. Order the pirarucu collar, jambu‑butter rice, and a cupuaçu‑white chocolate dessert. If you’re in the mood for a casual wine bar vibe after, browse by the shelves at Decanter Belém for a low‑key tasting flight.

Alter do Chão (Santarém)

Welcome to Brazil’s “Caribbean of the Amazon,” where white‑sand bars meet the clear, blue Tapajós River. From August to November, beaches like Ilha do Amor unfurl like crescents; in high water, you’ll canoe beneath cathedral‑tall trees in the igapó.

The romance here is elemental: sunrise hikes, hammock naps, and golden‑hour canoes to Ponta do Cururu. Nearby, the Tapajós National Forest shelters rubber‑tapper communities and trails scented with breu‑branco resin and andiroba.

• Where to stay (romantic and mid-range): Search bungalows and river houses on VRBO Alter do Chão or scan pousadas near the village square and Ilha do Amor on Hotels.com Alter do Chão. Look for balconies, hammocks, and easy beach access.
• Getting there: Fly Belém → Santarém (STM) ~1h30; typical fares ~$70–$150 one way on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. STM → Alter do Chão is ~45–60 minutes by taxi or pre‑arranged transfer (R$100–R$160, ~$20–$32).

Eating and drinking: For a celebratory lunch, Casa do Saulo overlooks the river with regional hits like filhote in Brazil‑nut crust and cupuaçu caipirinhas. In the village, beach huts grill tambaqui ribs and serve icy caju or taperebá juice. Ask for a Brazilian wine by the glass—many kitchens stock Serra Gaúcha wines that pair surprisingly well with Amazon fish.

Day 3: Travel to Santarém and First River Sunset

Morning: Fly Belém → Santarém. Grab a snack and meet your pre‑booked transfer for the drive to Alter do Chão. Check into your pousada and slip into river time.

Afternoon: Wander the village lanes, then wade or take a short canoe to Ilha do Amor. Swim in the clear shallows; order grilled prawns with farofa from a beach kiosk.

Evening: Private canoe to Ponta do Cururu for a quiet sunset—bring a chilled Brazilian white for a simple riverside toast. Dinner back in town: try tambaqui stew and fried macaxeira at a family‑run spot off the square.

Day 4: Hike Serra Piroca and Beach Day

Morning: Sunrise hike up Serra Piroca (guide recommended; moderate 1.5–2.5 hours round‑trip depending on route). On top: panoramic views of Tapajós blue and the maze of sandbars—romance with a breeze.

Afternoon: Reward yourselves with a lazy beach afternoon—depending on water levels, locals will point you to the prettiest stretch (Ilha do Amor, Ponta de Pedras, or Pindobal). Snack on Brazil‑nut brigadeiros and fresh açaí.

Evening: Dinner at Casa do Saulo or a cozy bistro near the plaza. Pair pirarucu moqueca with a Brazilian Chardonnay or a crisp Moscatel frisante. Post‑dinner, listen for carimbó rhythms at a local bar if there’s live music.

Day 5: Tapajós National Forest—Community Trails and River Picnic

Full day: Book a community‑run excursion to the Tapajós National Forest (Flona), often via Jamaraquá. Walk resin‑scented trails beneath samaúma giants, learn about rubber‑tapping history, and cool off in a forest stream. Many guides include a riverside lunch of grilled fish, rice, and farinha. Expect R$180–R$300 per person for small‑group trips; private boats cost more but are wonderfully intimate.

Evening: Back in Alter, split a passion‑fruit caipirinha and share tapioca crepes at a snack stall. Stargazing is excellent—some pousadas can set up a hammock on the sand for you.

Day 6: Morning Canoe and Departure

Morning: Quiet paddle through the igapó (flooded forest) or a last swim off Ilha do Amor. Pick up edible souvenirs in the village: Brazil‑nut butter, cupuaçu candies, artisan weavings.

Afternoon: Transfer to Santarém Airport for your flight onward. If you’re continuing within Brazil, compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Budget, timing, and tips

• Budget (50/100, mid-range): Couples can expect ~$120–$220/day including comfortable lodging, meals, taxis/transfers, and a guided day trip. Community tours run R$180–R$400 per person; private boats R$400–R$900 per outing depending on duration.
• Seasonality: Beaches peak Aug–Nov; canoeing the igapó shines Dec–May. Both are magical—just different. Ask your host which experiences are best the week you visit.
• Safety & health: Use reef‑safe sunscreen and insect repellent, stay hydrated, and heed local advice on currents. ATMs are easiest in Belém; bring small bills for Alter do Chão kiosks and boats.

Featured Viator experiences (if your route includes a Rio layover)

If your international flights connect through Rio de Janeiro, these well‑reviewed tours add romance and soft‑adventure to a stopover. They’re not in Northern Brazil but pair beautifully with this itinerary if you have an extra day.

Rio de Janeiro Sunset Sailing Tour with Drinks

Rainforest Hike in Rio: Tijuca Waterfalls, Wildlife & Caves

Half-Day Tour: Christ the Redeemer, Selarón & Sunset at Sugarloaf

Accommodations quick links

• VRBO Belém | Hotels.com Belém
• VRBO Alter do Chão | Hotels.com Alter do Chão

Across six days you’ll taste Belém’s epic food culture, wander historic lanes, and then slow down on the Tapajós—canoeing, hiking, and chasing sunsets together. It’s a Northern Brazil itinerary made for romance: unhurried, sensory, and rooted in the river.