Making the most of Alter do Chao
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Ships cannot berth at Alter do Chao, so tenders carry passengers directly into the centre of this appealing beach resort.
Alter do Chao takes its name in tribute to the Portuguese town of Alter do Chão.
During the dry season, Alter do Chao's principal attraction is a sandbar shallow enough to wade to. Take particular care around stingrays on some of the area's more remote beaches: they sting only when stepped on, so shuffle your feet while walking through the water.
Alter-do-Chão lies 30 km from Santarém and is regarded as the area's best-known resort, its most highly prized beach and an essential call for foreign cruises. The Tapajós River washes a temporary beach onto the town during the high-water season. Another local curiosity is the green lake, whose water shifts from blue to green over the course of the day.
From the island, it is possible to enter the Amazon jungle on foot, seeing its wildlife and gaining a sense of the many plant species that grow there.
Getting around
Few streets in Alter do Chão are paved, but the riverfront has been completely renewed. A new orla fluvial, or waterfront promenade, runs for several hundred metres along the former muddy bank. New steps, rails and a dock make rowboat journeys to Ilha do Amor simpler and safer, while a broad walkway and plenty of benches create an inviting place to stroll.
Nearby places
Alter do Chão is a convenient gateway to the beautiful Floresta Nacional do Tapajós (FLONA Tapajós), where hiking and canoeing are possible.
Food and shopping
An open-air market beside the jetty sells Indian and regional wares that make appealing souvenirs.
Money
The currency is the Brazilian real.
Staying connected
Portuguese is spoken locally.
A couple of internet venues are available, although each has only two terminals.
Opening Hours and
Most shops and businesses generally trade from 9am to 6pm, breaking for an extended lunch between about noon and 2pm.
A large number of museums close on Monday.