Belém Transportation

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in 1960 Brasil started it big project connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific Ocean, building the Transamazonica or Highway BR-230, lot of Rainforest diappeared, many Indian Tribes where robbed of their land, actually a sad event at the time. thank god these days enviromental issus are handeled more careful and considered for all people and fauna&flora involved.
those days, Belem was only reachable on a 900km dirt road from Brasilia, 3/4 way towards Belem, we crossed the Transamazonia and went straight up into Belem. after that I felt quite crooked...have a look at the sec. pic
but....we have seen so much, realy a trip of a lifetime. have a look at the map.
it was simply stunning..but when one is young, one does such travels.
if I had the same desicion to make today, I would take the plane.
travelling from Belem to Manaus, 6 days on the mighty River...I would do that again, in between I would like to stop in Santarem...3 day ride from Belem.

The best way of getting to or leaving from Belem is by boat. I would recommend leaving this way as the trip up the river tends to keep to the edge of the Amazon (to keep out of the main current)and therefore there is plenty to see. The river, I was told is 14kms wide in some places so when travelling down the middle you are likely to miss a lot.

The best way to go around is by bus, however you will have to ask people for the information, this is ok people here like to help.
Also you can take a taxi cab, you can trust in the most of then, however there are some not good, so you may ask for the price before take the way you want. Taxis are a bit expensive here.

The best way to go around is by bus, however you will have to ask people for the information, this is ok people here like to help.
Also you can take a taxi cab, you can trust in the most of then, however there are some not good, so you may ask for the price before take the way you want. Taxis are a bit expensive here.

While on board during the 5 day voyage to Manaus, there is usually something different to see. The local river tribes have come to rely on handouts tossed from the passing boats, and paddle out to meet the boats as they pass. Some even hitch a ride by hooking onto the boat as it passes. This takes a lot of skill and failure to catch on can mean capsizing and losing everything in your canoe!

Accomodation while on board is either in an open deck or preferably in an air conditioned deck. This is most comfortable when it comes to siesta time in the heat of the day when you can escape the heat and kip on your hammock. Hammocks are not supplied but there is a good variety to choose from in Belem.

Some cruise ships stop here, it is a very large port and it takes two days travel from Recife. There is also an international airport.

Best to get a guy with a car who speaks a little of your language to wheel you around. It is pretty outside of town. The city is decaying.

Brazil has an extensive bus system for long distance travel and there is also a great variety of fairly good sized river craft which go up and down the Amazon.