Alter do Chão Village & Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Saúde
Vila de Alter do Chão
A relaxed town on the Tapajós riverbank, with a white chapel, a riverside square and the Çairé festival. It is a base for exploring the surrounding area.
Alter do Chão began in the 17th century as a Jesuit mission village and was originally a settlement of the Borari Indigenous people. The Church of Our Lady of Health (Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Saúde) beside the riverside square in the town centre is small and white, and faces Love Island. It is the town's most common photo spot. Around the square are restaurants, craft shops and guesthouses, and at night there are carimbó dance performances. The Festa do Çairé, held every September, is the town's most important festival. It blends religious processions with Indigenous traditions and includes a singing and dancing contest between two dolphin teams. The town is about 37 km from Santarém along PA-457, a bus ride of about an hour.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Araribá Indigenous Art Center
- Ilha do Amor
- Lago Verde
- Floresta Encantada
- Serra da Piroca
- Ponta do Cururu
- Pindobal Beach
- Ponta de Pedras Beach