Alter do Chão

Alter do Chão is a riverside village and tourist destination on the Tapajós River in the state of Pará, Brazil, within the municipality of Santarém. It is widely known for its seasonal white-sand river beaches and calm, clear river waters during the dry season.

The main attractions are river beaches and sandbar islands such as the popular Praia do Amor and Ilha do Amor, which form or expand during lower river levels and draw both domestic and international visitors. The area is used for swimming, boating and short river excursions; local tourism peaks in the dry season when beaches are most extensive.

The settlement originated as a riverine community and developed into a tourism hub in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as visitors discovered its distinctive clear-water beaches. The village also hosts the traditional Sairé festival each August, a regional cultural event that blends indigenous and Catholic elements.

Geographically Alter do Chão lies on the Tapajós River near Santarém in western Pará; it is reachable from Santarém by a short road or boat transfer of roughly 30-40 kilometres depending on the route used.

• Best time to visit: Best visited in the dry season, typically July to October, when sandbars and river beaches are exposed and water clarity is higher.
• Access: The village is part of the municipality of Santarém and is reachable by road or short boat transfer from Santarém, a regional city on the Amazon-forked rivers.

What to See #

• Praia do Amor: Praia do Amor (Beach of Love) is a seasonal white-sand river beach on the Tapajós River that appears during the dry season and is a primary visitor attraction.
• Ilha do Amor: Ilha do Amor (Love Island) is a sandbar/island formed in the Tapajós River near the village and is accessible by short boat rides from the riverside village.