Half Day City Tour Belém

Highlights / General details

The capital of Pará State and principal port of the lower Amazon, standing on the equator, Belém do Pará was founded in 1615 by the Portuguese. The city owes its commercial importance to the opening of the Amazon to foreign trade in the late 19th century. Belém's colonial architecture reflects the 17th century architecture of Lisbon that was a source of inspiration for the main construction projects of the time, and Portuguese azulejos (ceramic tiles) are seen everywhere.

Stretching along the waterfront, the Ver-o-Peso (“Check-the-Weight”) market is a curious combination of stalls selling fish, vegetables and items for use in macumba (witchcraft) – such as medicinal potions derived from rainforest plants and roots, crocodile teeth to cure uncommon ailments, bottled snakes and three-toed sloths, and amulets to ward off the evil eye.

The Basílica de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré was built in 1909 on the site where a humble rancher by the name of Plácido came across an image of the Virgin. Built in an architectural style inspired by the Basilica of St. Paul in Rome, and lined with fine marble, it has an elaborate altarpiece that frames the tiny statue. The mural on the façade depicts the arrival of the Portuguese in Brazil, while the basement contains a museum of votive offerings. Founded in 1866, the Museu Emílio Goeldi is a botanical, zoological and anthropological park with more than 2,000 species of plants and trees, numerous Amazonian animals and birds, and an aquarium containing rare species of fish. This internationally renowned museum is the Amazon’s oldest and most important research institute. The tour also includes visits to the Museu de Arte Sacra - Brazil’s finest museum of religious art, Palácio Lauro Sodré (State Museum), the former Governor’s House, the Palácio Antônio Lemos (Art Museum) - a former palace, the Forte do Presépio, known today as Forte do Castelo, and the Metropolitan Cathedral, or Igreja da Sé.

Inclusion

Hotel pick-up and drop-off; Private Transportation; Guided Tour.

Exclusion

Food and Beverages; Gratuities.

Hours of operation

Available: Daily. No tour departures on: January 1; February 24 - March 5 (Carnival); December 24-25, 31.

Duration

Approximately 3 hours.

Location

Tour departs from guest hotel.

Policies

Cancellation: 2 days prior 100% penalty. No show always 100% penalty.

*2 PASSENGERS MINIMUM REQUIRED TO CONFIRM RESERVATION*

Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

**All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation**