Belém

Gateway to the Amazon's Treasures

Manaus and Belem lie deep within Brazil’s Amazon region where the mighty river splits into countless channels. The city acts as a gateway to vast rainforests, home to thousands of plant and animal species rarely seen elsewhere. Local markets sell exotic fruits and handmade crafts while riverside communities keep traditions alive through music and dance. Travelers find boat tours that pass lush islands and wildlife-rich banks daily. In Manaus, modern buildings stand alongside historic sites like the Teatro Amazonas, showing how culture and nature coexist here in harmony.

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City in Brazil

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$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 5.7

General Safety:	5
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	6

Read details

2/5

English proficiency is limited in Belém, with basic English mostly found in tourist areas, hotels, and some restaurants. Having a translation app or learning basic Portuguese phrases will greatly enhance your experience.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Belém Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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Great for rainforest culture and Amazon cuisine. Visit lively markets, explore colonial architecture, taste regional street food and take river boat trips through the Amazon delta.

Place score

6.7

Best at:

Guided tours

Rivers

Walkable

Local cuisine

Museums

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 7

Couples

🌈 7

LGBTQ+

Brazil – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	127 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type C , Type N Type C: Type N: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Brazilian Real (BRL) £1 ≈ R$7.11
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payment is widely accepted in urban areas but less so in remote regions. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in Brazil. Restaurants often include a 10% service charge. Additional tips are optional.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally allowed in Brazil, and it is common in social settings.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces, with designated outdoor areas.

Carnival (February/March)	Expect parades and heavy crowds.
Independence Day (September)	National celebrations occur.
Christmas (December)	Family gatherings and public celebrations are common.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 190 (Police), 192 (Ambulance), 193 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	99, Uber, Cabify
Other:	Brazil is known for its natural beauty, vibrant culture, and Carnival celebrations. Avoid travelling alone in remote areas for safety.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Belém, Brazil

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

🌦️

Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	July - Oct.
Shoulder season:	June, Nov.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Círio de Nazaré, second Sunday in October: over a million pilgrims, hotels book out months ahead

Short, heavy downpours almost daily December to May, plan outdoor sightseeing and boat trips for mornings

Don't miss

🍍 Visit Ver-o-Peso Market and taste Amazonian delicacies
🛥️ Cruise along the Guamá River at sunset
🏛️ Explore the colonial streets and churches of Cidade Velha
🥣 Try tacacá or açaí from a bustling street stall
🌿 Admire the tropical gardens at Mangal das Garças Park
🎉 Join the Círio de Nazaré festival with local pilgrims

You've been here?

Why travel to Belém?

Belém captivates visitors with its unique position as the cultural doorway to the Amazon. The city's Ver-o-Peso market is a sensory feast where you can sample exotic fruits, medicinal herbs and freshly caught fish while watching river life unfold. Colonial-era buildings like the Forte do Castelo and Catedral da Sé tell stories of the region's past, while the revitalized docks area (Estação das Docas) offers modern restaurants and entertainment. The city is famous for its cuisine, particularly açaí, which originated here and for the spectacular Círio de Nazaré religious festival that draws millions each October. However, Belém requires some caution. The tropical climate means intense heat and heavy rainfall, especially from January to May. Some neighborhoods like Guamá and Terra Firme are best avoided due to safety concerns and it's advisable to be vigilant in tourist areas, particularly at night. Despite these challenges, Belém's authentic Amazonian experience, welcoming locals and cultural richness make it a rewarding destination for travelers seeking something beyond Brazil's typical beach destinations.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Forte do Castelo
2 Bosque Rodrigues Alves
3 Belém Cathedral
4 Casa das Onze Janelas
5 Mangal das Garças
6 Theatro da Paz
7 Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi

🎡Places for activities

1 Praça Batista Campos
2 Amazon River. Combu
3 Praça da República
4 Tucunduba River

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Bosque Rodrigues Alves
2 Mangal das Garças

🛍️Shopping

1 Estação das Docas

🎈Events

Círio de Nazaré (October)
Carimbó and Tecnobrega music festivals
Açaí Festival
Carnival celebrations
New Year's Eve festivities

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Visit Ver-o-Peso Market early. Experience authentic Amazon flavors and goods.
Explore Forte do Presépio fortress for panoramic Guajará Bay views and history exhibits.
Tour Basílica de Nazaré; admire neoclassical architecture tied to Círio de Nazaré festival.
Head to Estação das Docas at sunset for riverside dining, culture and live Amazonian music.

How to travel to Belém

Belém is served by Val de Cans International Airport with connections to major Brazilian cities. The city is also accessible by boat from other Amazon destinations. Long-distance buses connect Belém to other parts of Brazil, though journeys can be lengthy. For those exploring the Amazon, Belém serves as a major port and starting point for river journeys.

Access summary

From Belém/Val-de-Cans Airport (BEL): 15–25 min by taxi or app car.
From São Paulo: Direct flights about 3.5–4 hours to BEL, then taxi.
From Manaus: Frequent Amazon region flights, around 2–3 hours to BEL.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Belém

Belém offers a range of accommodation options from luxury hotels to budget-friendly guesthouses. The safest and most convenient areas to stay are Umarizal, Reduto, Batista Campos, Nazaré and Campina. Each neighborhood has its own character, from the luxurious Umarizal to the vibrant Campina. Book in advance during the Círio de Nazaré festival in October when the city fills with visitors.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Radisson Hotel Maiorana Belem

8.4

Holiday Inn Express Belem Ananindeua By IHG

9.2

Grand Mercure Belém do Pará

7.7

Hotel Riviera D Amazonia Belem Ananindeua

9.1

ibis Belém Aeroporto

7.1

Residencial Dom Fernando

Machado´s Plaza Hotel

7.5

Residencial Dom Luiz

8.0

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Belém

Belém is best explored by a combination of walking (in the historic areas) and taxis or ride-sharing apps for longer distances. The city has public buses, but they can be confusing for visitors. For safety, registered taxis or ride-sharing apps are recommended, especially at night. Many of the main attractions in Cidade Velha and Campina are within walking distance of each other.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-69 %

Daily expenses in Belém are around 69% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-6 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to BRL) is 6% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£30	£54	£152
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£14	£30	£83
🍝 Food per day	£13	£20	£59
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£4	£10

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£6
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£3.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£5.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.20
☕ Cappuccino	£1.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.40

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.65
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£5.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.85

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£4.80
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£38
🤧 Cold medication	£2.20
💇 Basic haircut	£5.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Belém requires caution, especially at night. Stay in well-lit areas, avoid displaying valuables and use registered taxis or ride-sharing apps. Tourist areas are generally safe, but neighborhoods like Guamá and Terra Firme should be avoided due to higher crime rates.

Health & Medical

Basic medical facilities are available, but quality varies. Bring necessary medications and stay hydrated in the intense equatorial heat. Health insurance with evacuation coverage is recommended. Watch out for mosquito-borne illnesses, especially during the rainy season.

Accessibility

Belém has limited accessibility infrastructure. Historic areas often have cobblestone streets and older buildings may lack ramps or elevators. Modern attractions like Estação das Docas are more accessible, but overall, those with mobility issues may face challenges.

Tap water

Tap water is not recommended for drinking. Stick to bottled water, which is widely available. The tropical climate makes staying hydrated essential - carry water with you, especially when exploring outdoor markets and attractions.