Discover Belém

Discover Belém

In Belém, savour the rich gastronomy and explore the exuberance of the Brazilian Amazon.
Belém is the capital of the state of Pará. Founded in 1616, this city is also called Belém do Pará. Located in Guajará Bay, it is made up of a series of river islands in addition to the land.

Today, this city has established itself as Pará’s main urban centre and one of the gateways to the Amazon. Despite the elements of modernity, this metropolis preserves its past from the days of the gold rush and rubber extraction.

The connection with the Amazon offers many experiences of contact with nature, such as the view of freshwater beaches, as well as the proximity to the island of Marajó, an enchanting destination for lovers of biodiversity and outdoor activities. Known for its vast areas of forest, unspoilt beaches and unique ecosystems, the island offers an authentic experience of the Brazilian Amazon. Visitors can explore its extensive natural landscapes, observe the exuberant wildlife and take canoe trips along the winding rivers.

Belém has built up one of the most interesting and diverse cultural programmes in the country. The highlight here is the contemporary music scene that has consolidated itself through a mix of genres and its own audience. Brega and tecnobrega were born from a mixture of local and electronic music, living in harmony with more traditional cultural manifestations such as carimbó.

One of Belém’s great inspirations comes from its gastronomy. The place is the gateway to the cuisine of Pará and today it is part of UNESCO’s network of creative cities, with an emphasis on its cuisine. Its gastronomic richness has a strong native-Brazilian character and a little influence from European settlers, based on ingredients from the Amazonian fauna and flora. Ver-o-Peso and the Estação das Docas tourist and cultural complex are just a few examples of places where you can try typical, authentic dishes and drinks. The Tapioca Festival and the Festival Gastronomia das Ilhas are events that promote the regional gastronomic scene.

The city will also host the most important international climate event, the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP-30), in November 2025.

The combination of sustainability and unique experiences makes Belém a spectacular destination.

Unique Experiences to Live in Belém

Unique Experiences to Live in Belém

Ilha-de-Marajo
Marajó Island: gastronomy, handicrafts and nautical activities.
The journey between Belém and the island takes around 2 hours, sailing along the estuary of the Amazon River, the largest river in the world. Visit the Marajoara ceramics workshops and the beaches of Barra Velha, ending with a boat trip to Furo Miguelão, a river path through the forest.
Surf-na-Pororoca
Watching the Pororoca.
It is where the waters of the Amazon River and the Atlantic Ocean meet. You can observe this natural phenomenon by boat, motorbike or aeroplane. For adventure lovers, river surfing on the wave formed by the meeting of the waters is another spectacular experience.
Ver-o-peso
A unique culinary experience at the Ver-o-Peso Market.
This historic market on the banks of the Guamá River is a treasure trove of smells and flavours, where you'll find a variety of products, from herbs to exotic Amazonian fruits such as açaí, cupuaçu and bacuri. An emblematic delicacy of Belém is fried fish with açaí and flour. The stalls also offer tapioca porridge, corn or rice in bowls made from coconut shells. Explore this wealth of flavours in Amazonian gastronomy.

Did You Know?

In Belém, the Círio de Nazaré is a Catholic religious event, inherited from the Portuguese colonisers, marked by processions in devotion to Mary of Nazareth, which attracts millions of people.
Considered the oldest operating cinema in the country, the Cine Olympia has stood the test of time and kept the seventh art alive in Belém.
The Feliz Lusitânia cultural complex covers the Belém harbour area where the Portuguese arrived in the north in 1616. The buildings that were built there during the colonial period now house museums, restaurants and offer many opportunities to get to know the reality of the Amazon.

Did You Know?

In Belém, the Círio de Nazaré is a Catholic religious event, inherited from the Portuguese colonisers, marked by processions in devotion to Mary of Nazareth, which attracts millions of people.
Considered the oldest operating cinema in the country, the Cine Olympia has stood the test of time and kept the seventh art alive in Belém.
The Feliz Lusitânia cultural complex covers the Belém harbour area where the Portuguese arrived in the north in 1616. The buildings that were built there during the colonial period now house museums, restaurants and offer many opportunities to get to know the reality of the Amazon.
How to get there

By plane
Val de Cans International Airport, Belém – Júlio Cezar Ribeiro (BEL) is located 9km from the centre of Belém and operates domestic and international flights daily. Daily flights leave from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to the capital of Pará.

Getting around

By bus
Belém has bus routes that will take you all over the city and to the tourist attractions.

Personal Vehicles and Rentals
A great way to get around the city or visit nearby destinations in the state of Pará is to hire a car. Before hiring a car, compare prices and policies between different rental companies. Make sure you have a valid driving licence and follow the local traffic rules.

Taxis and ride-sharing apps
Taxis and shared transport companies are a comfortable way to get around the city.

River transport
In Belém you can get around by boat on the region’s rivers. Always look for those that are registered and officially recognised.

Useful information

Useful information

Números de teléfono útiles

Riotur - Informações Turísticas
+55 (21) 3460 - 1746
Delegacia do Turista:
+55 (21) 2332 - 2924
Polícia Militar: 190 Samu: 192
Bombeiros: 193

Electricity voltage

110 V

Local climate

The temperature in Belém doesn't fluctuate much and remains stable throughout the year. The heat is perfect for outdoor activities all year round.

Health

Public health services in Brazil are free for foreign tourists. So, if you have an accident, need medical attention or have a health problem, just call the Mobile Emergency Assistance Service (SAMU) on the free number below.

SAMU (Mobile Emergency Assistance Service): 192

Health tips

Drink plenty of water. Brazil is a tropical country, so we recommend that you stay hydrated at all times.

Wear comfortable clothes. Protect your skin from the sun by wearing a hat, cap, sunglasses and sunscreen. Avoid being in the sun between 10am and 4pm.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are required to enter Brazil. However, in some regions of the country, vaccination is recommended before visiting. For example, in regions where cases of yellow fever have been documented. Check for more information before travelling, taking into account the region you are going to.

Covid-19

International tourists can enter Brazil without proof of a Covid test or proof of vaccination.

Security

Brazil is a country that is increasingly investing in public safety and is strengthening security in tourist destinations. Tourists wishing to visit the country can travel with peace of mind.

In the event of an incident, there are police stations throughout the country. In most capital cities, there are also specialised tourist police stations. If you’re in a city that doesn’t have a Tourist Support Centre, you can file a complaint at any police station. It’s more protection and safety for you, the tourist visiting Brazil. For more information on Tourist Support Centres, visit https://www.visitbrasil.com/.

Emergency numbers

You can call these toll-free numbers from any phone. Most of them are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

190: Military Police

192: Emergency Medical Assistance (SAMU)

193: Fire Brigade

191: Federal Highway Police

Climate and temperature

The climate is predominantly tropical, with some variations around 28°C in the north and around 20°C in the south.

Currency and exchange

The currency in Brazil is the REAL (R$). It can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change, travel agencies and authorised hotels. The official exchange rate is published daily in newspapers and on specialised websites. International credit cards are accepted by most companies providing services to tourists.

For more information on exchange rates, visit the website of the Central Bank.

Communication

To make a direct international call, dial 00 + operator code* + country code + area code + phone number. For direct or collect calls from abroad, with the help of bilingual operators, dial 0800 703 2111.

*Check with your hotel reception for the operator codes activated for international calls.

Digital Nomadism

Have you ever thought about working in the breeze of breathtaking landscapes of Rio de Janeiro? It’s no surprise that Brazil is an excellent destination for holidays and trips. What visitors may not know, however, is that they can reside in the country and work remotely. Digital nomadism, a lifestyle that allows you to work remotely while travelling, is gaining more and more popularity, and Brazil offers an ideal environment for this global community of travellers. To do this, they need to fulfil the following requirements:

  • Be employed by a foreign company.
  • Be able to work remotely.
  • Provide evidence of a monthly income of US$1,500 or more or evidence of bank funds of US$18,000 or more.
  Digital Nomad visas are valid for one year but are renewable for equal periods. Visitors can apply whether or not they are currently in Brazil. Further information and other requirements.

Visas

The visa is the document issued by Brazilian consulates abroad that allows foreigners to enter and stay in the country. Citizens of Mercosur countries do not need a visa to enter and stay in Brazil, they only need to present their passport or a valid identity document. Visitor visas may be issued for tourism, business, transit, artistic or sports activities, and the stay may not exceed ninety days.

Do you need a visa?
To find out whether you need a visa to travel to Brazil, consult the Consular Portal. Brazil has a visa policy based on the principle of reciprocity. This means that all countries that require Brazilian citizens to obtain visas to enter their territory also require visas to enter Brazil. According to Brazil’s current migration legislation (Law 13.445/2017), visa exemptions can only be granted by the Brazilian authorities on a reciprocal basis, through a bilateral agreement on the matter. Brazil has bilateral visa waiver agreements with about 90 countries.

Where to apply for a visa?
Itamaraty is the Brazilian government agency responsible for issuing visas, which is done through Brazilian embassies, consulates general, consulates and vice-consulates abroad. Citizens of other countries wishing to obtain a visa to travel to Brazil should contact Brazilian consular offices abroad for more information on how to apply.

Electrical voltage

The electrical voltage in Brazil varies between 110V and 220V, depending on your location. Most Brazilian hotels supply both voltages, while portable transformers can be found in many specialised shops.

Language

The official language is Brazilian Portuguese.

Visum

Das Visum ist das von brasilianischen Konsularvertretungen im Ausland ausgestellte Dokument, das Ausländern die Einreise und den Aufenthalt im Staatsgebiet ermöglicht. Für die Einreise und den Aufenthalt in Brasilien benötigen Bürger von Mercosur-Mitgliedsländern kein Visum, sondern lediglich die Vorlage eines gültigen Reisepasses oder Ausweises.Das Besuchsvisum kann für Reisen zu touristischen, geschäftlichen, Transit-, künstlerischen oder sportlichen Zwecken erteilt werden, wobei der Aufenthalt neunzig Tage nicht überschreiten darf.

Benötigen Sie ein Visum?
Um herauszufinden, ob Sie für die Reise nach Brasilien ein Visum benötigen, schauen Sie im Konsularportal nach. Brasilien führt eine Visumerteilungspolitik ein, die auf dem Prinzip der Gegenseitigkeit basiert. Das bedeutet, dass fast alle Länder, die von brasilianischen Staatsbürgern ein Visum für die Einreise in ihr Hoheitsgebiet verlangen, auch ein Visum für die Reise nach Brasilien benötigen. Nach der aktuellen brasilianischen Migrationsgesetzgebung (Gesetz 13.445/2017) können die brasilianischen Behörden Visumbefreiungen nur auf Gegenseitigkeitsbasis und im Rahmen einer bilateralen Vereinbarung in dieser Angelegenheit gewähren. Brasilien hat mit rund 90 Ländern bilaterale Vereinbarungen über die Befreiung von der Visumpflicht.

Wo kann man ein Visum beantragen?
Itamaraty ist die brasilianische Regierungsbehörde, die für die Erteilung von Visa zuständig ist, die über brasilianische Botschaften, Generalkonsulate, Konsulate und Vizekonsulate im Ausland erfolgt. Staatsangehörige anderer Länder, die ein Visum für die Reise nach Brasilien erhalten möchten, müssen sich an die brasilianischen Konsularvertretungen im Ausland wenden, um weitere Informationen zu dem Antrag zu erhalten.

Visas

Le visa est le document délivré par les représentations consulaires brésiliennes à l’étranger qui permet aux étrangers d’entrer et de séjourner sur le territoire national. Les citoyens des pays membres du Mercosur n’ont pas besoin de visa pour entrer et séjourner au Brésil. Il leur suffit de présenter leur passeport ou une pièce d’identité en cours de validité. Les visas de visite peuvent être accordés pour des voyages de tourisme, d’affaires, de transit, d’activités artistiques ou sportives, et le séjour ne doit pas excéder quatre-vingt-dix jours.

Avez-vous besoin d’un visa ?
Pour savoir si vous avez besoin d’un visa pour vous rendre au Brésil, consultez le Portail consulaire. Le Brésil adopte une politique de visas basée sur le principe de réciprocité. Cela signifie que presque tous les pays qui exigent des visas des citoyens brésiliens pour entrer sur leur territoire auront également besoin de visas pour se rendre au Brésil. En vertu de la législation brésilienne actuelle en matière de migration (loi 13.445/2017), les exemptions de visa ne peuvent être accordées par les autorités brésiliennes, sur une base réciproque, qu’au moyen d’un accord bilatéral sur le sujet. Le Brésil a conclu des accords bilatéraux d’exemption de visa avec environ 90 pays.

Comment obtenir un visa ?
L’Itamaraty est l’organisme gouvernemental brésilien responsable de l’octroi des visas, qui s’effectue par l’intermédiaire des ambassades, consulats généraux, consulats et vice-consulats brésiliens à l’étranger. Les citoyens d’autres pays souhaitant obtenir un visa pour se rendre au Brésil doivent contacter les représentations consulaires brésiliennes à l’étranger pour obtenir plus d’informations sur la demande.