Where to stay in Belém – A guide to the Brazilian river port
Belém is a great gateway to the ecological wonders of the Amazon rainforest.
Belém is the capital of the state of Pará, a port city and entrance to the lower part of Brazil.
This city is located on the shores of Guajará Bay, in a group of islands and rivers at the mouth of the Amazon River, the largest in the world.
Its main attraction is a set of colonial monuments, with several public squares and streets that extend to the edge of the jungle, in addition to wild islands and beautiful beaches, including some freshwater beaches.
In Belém every month is hot, the only difference is that, between June and December, the dry season takes place, which is ideal for outdoor activities.
In Belém, boat trips are a must-see experience. From the port, you can take a boat ride that lasts approximately 2 hours and a half, covering the entire area of Estacao das Docas, the city’s coast.
The Port of Belém has restaurants, art galleries, a small brewery, ice cream shops, craft stands, regional food stands, cafes and a space for events.
To reach the city, the Belém International Airport is available, with connections to cities such as Cayenne, Georgetown, Paramaribo, and Miami, as well as domestic flights.
The means of transport in Belém range from car and bus to boats, ideal to enjoy the beautiful river beaches in the surroundings of the city, as well as the oceanic coasts of the state of Pará.
The Historic Center or Old Town is the best area to stay in Belém for gathering the best attractions, as well as for having a good variety of hotels for all tastes and budgets. (See accommodation in Historic Center).
Here’s a guide with the best areas to stay in Belém, Brazil.
The best areas to stay in Belém
1. Our favorite area: Historic Center
The Historic Center of Belém is also known as the Old City, where the main tourist sites such as old mansions, churches, museums, and mansions are located.
This area was born and grew up in the surroundings of the Fort do Presépio, now called Fuerte do Castelo, built at the beginning of the 16th century by the Portuguese crown to take a strategic position in front of the ships that passed there.
Here is the first street in the city, the Rua da Ladeira, with exclusive shops, offices, and banks that make this one of the best areas to stay in Belém for business or shopping.
Other places to visit are the Clock Square, with a 12-meter high English clock, the Feliz Lusitana Complex, the Crib Fort, the Saint Alexandre complex and the Cathedral of Sé.
The Historic Center is one of the best areas to stay in Belém because of the attractive places it gathers and the variety of accommodation it offers for all kinds of travelers and budgets.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Belém do Pará:
- Heart of the city
- Good area for business travelers
- Near the attractions
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
New Inn Batista Campos
New Inn Batista Campos, ideally located in the center of Belém do Pará, 1.7 km from the traditional Ver or Peso market, offers quality rooms with free Wi-Fi. There is a tour desk.
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Budget
Hotel VIP ECONÔMICO
Hotel VIP ECONÔMICO has a bar and is located in Belém, in the Pará region, 1.9 km from Docas Station and 2.3 km from the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of Nazareth. It also has a 24-hour reception and restaurant. This non-smoking accommodation is 2.3 km from Ver-o-Peso Market.
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Luxury
Hotel Princesa Louçã
The Princess Louçã Hotel enjoys a privileged location in the center of the city of Belém and offers beautiful views of the Guajará Bay and Mangueiras Tunnels. The accommodation has a swimming pool, beauty salon and gym.
2. Nazaré
Nazaré is a suburb located in the downtown area of the city that belongs to the Administrative District of Belém.
Due to its central and strategic location, it is possible to find in Nazaré a wide network of leisure options such as restaurants, bars, and cafes.
The Bologna Palace and the Augusto Montenegro Palace are some of the most emblematic monuments in this area.
The neighborhood also houses the Basilica Sanctuary of the Virgin of Nazareth, one of the city’s postcards, and the Nazaré Cirio.
Nazaré has a hectic pace during the day, due to the intense traffic on its main avenues, while at night it is a reference for its bars and clubs.
As for gastronomy, there are innumerable restaurants of varied specialties.
Nazaré is among the best areas to stay in Belém thanks to its 5-star hotel and hostels in an area with many leisure options.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Belém:
- Best area for nightlife
- Good area for shopping
- Upmarket hotels
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Hotel Manacá
This charming hotel is located in Belém, Pará. It offers free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour reception, an outdoor pool and rooms with flat-screen TVs. It is close to the restaurants and shops of Belém.
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Budget
Quarto na Av. Nazaré
Quarto na Av. Is located in Belém, 1.1 km from the Basilica-Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazareth. The Nazaré offers rooms with city views and free Wi-Fi. The accommodation is 3 km from the Ver-o-Peso market.
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Luxury
Grand Mercure Belém
The Grand Mercure Belém is the only 5-star hotel in Belem and offers modern rooms with 40-inch LED cable TV. The hotel is located in the central area of Belém and has a pool and views.
3. Umarizal
Umarizal is a high-class residential neighborhood, located in the south-central area of Belém.
It has limits with the neighborhood of Nazaré and is served by various bus lines that come from almost all regions of the city.
The biggest icon of Umarizal is Avenida Almirante Wandenkolk, where many of the bars and restaurants in the area are located.
The main places to see in this neighborhood are the editor of the State University of Pará, the Tourism Complex of Ver-o-Río, the Plaza Brasil and the Universidad Cláudio Barradas Theater.
It is a very lively area, thanks to the university population that is concentrated here.
In this neighborhood, there is also part of the structure of the port of Belém, surrounded by restaurants, craft sales, traditional food, cafes, and a theater.
Umarizal is one of the best areas to stay in Belém for its excellent location, its leisure areas and for the various hotel complexes it has.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Belém:
- Near the City Center
- Good transport connections
- Luxury area
- Safest area to stay in Belém
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