A small slice of paradise just offshore from Alter do Chão, the 'Island of Love' is especially striking when the water is low (August to December) and…

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Alter do Chão
Alter do Chão, 20 miles (33km) west of Santarém, is an appealing, languid riverside town that's popular with visitors from Santarém on weekends and during holiday periods. It's best known for its Ilha do Amor (Island of Love), a picturesque island ringed by a white-sand beach directly in front of town.
But Alter do Chão is much more than a beach town. The lagoon it fronts (Lago Verde) can be explored by canoe or stand-up paddle board. It's also the departure point for boat tours to nearby forest reserves and isolated communities, and has one of the best indigenous art stores in the Amazon region.
Explore Alter do Chão
- IIlha do Amor
A small slice of paradise just offshore from Alter do Chão, the 'Island of Love' is especially striking when the water is low (August to December) and…
- LLago Verde
This huge three-fingered lake is surrounded by forest and has places to swim, snorkel with fish and spot wildlife (including a resident family of monkeys)…
- PPonta do Cururú
Most afternoons, large numbers of pink and grey dolphins congregate just offshore from this sandy point near the mouth of the Rio Tapajós for an evening…
- PPraia do Cajueiro
A few blocks west of the town center along the waterfront promenade is this pleasant beach, wrapping around to the Tapajós River.
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Alter do Chão.
- See
Ilha do Amor
A small slice of paradise just offshore from Alter do Chão, the 'Island of Love' is especially striking when the water is low (August to December) and…
- See
Lago Verde
This huge three-fingered lake is surrounded by forest and has places to swim, snorkel with fish and spot wildlife (including a resident family of monkeys)…
- See
Ponta do Cururú
Most afternoons, large numbers of pink and grey dolphins congregate just offshore from this sandy point near the mouth of the Rio Tapajós for an evening…
- See
Praia do Cajueiro
A few blocks west of the town center along the waterfront promenade is this pleasant beach, wrapping around to the Tapajós River.
Guidebooks
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