Stays in Santarém
Santarém sits at the encontro das águas, where the clear Tapajós meets the muddy Amazon, roughly halfway between Belém and Manaus. Stays here range from central budget hotels near the cathedral to jungle-lodge pousadas and river-beach hostels out toward Alter do Chão.
Updated August 2, 2026
Santarém in numbers
Santarém rewards travelers willing to split their time between two very different settings: the historic riverside center, with its cathedral, Museu Dica Frazão and the Orla promenade, and Alter do Chão, the white-sand village on the Tapajós roughly forty minutes away that gives the region its river-beach reputation. Where to stay in Santarém depends largely on which pull matters more, since central budget hotels and pousadas near the airport suit travelers passing through quickly, while jungle-lodge stays and hostels closer to Alter do Chão suit those building a trip around the river beaches themselves.
10.0POUSADAS JC | EM SANTARÉM-PA | Pousada Familiar para Férias
10.0Pousada Caribe Amazonico
9.8Lavi Hostel
9.6Sol Hostel
9.6Vila Flor Bed & Breakfast
9.6Casa Da Árvore Alter, Sonho Na Amazônia
9.4Villa Arumā Pousada
9.0Pousada Ponta de Pedras
9.0Pousada Guaraná da Cláudia
9.0Gama Pousada Apart Hotel Econômico Santarém
9.0Hostel Pousada do Tapajós
9.0Hostel Albergue da Floresta
8.8Sandis Mirante Hotel
8.8Hotel London Santarém
8.8Hostel Manga Rosa
8.6Hotel rios
8.6Hotel Açay
8.6Hotel Palace Santarém
8.6Pôr do Sol Hotel
8.4Hotel Mirante da Ilha
8.4Hotel Rio Tapajós
8.4Hotel Universal
8.4Pousada Alter
8.2Hotel Sandis
8.2Barrudada Tropical Hotel
8.2Hotel Pará Santarem
8.2Tapajós Center Hotel
8.0Hotel Encontro das Águas
8.0Hotel Império Santarém
7.6Hotel Santorini
7.6PORTOBELLO Hotel
What to expect
- Central hotels near the cathedral and Orla promenade
- Jungle-lodge pousadas toward Alter do Chão
- Budget hostels with kitchens for longer stays
- River beaches at Cajueiro and Alter do Chão
- Boat connections to Belém and Manaus via Porto DER
- Dry season from roughly June to November for lower river levels
Local tips
- Decide early whether to base yourself centrally or near Alter do Chão, since the transfer between the two runs 30-40 minutes by taxi.
- Budget more time for the airport transfer from Alter do Chão-area stays, typically 35-45 minutes rather than the 15-25 minutes from central hotels.
- Bring cash for smaller pousadas and local eateries, since card acceptance varies widely outside the bigger hotels.
- Visit Museu Dica Frazão if staying centrally, an unusual recycled-fashion museum that rewards a short detour.
- Check whether breakfast is included before booking a pousada, since several list it as a paid add-on rather than standard.
- Travel in the dry season, roughly June through November, for the clearest water and most exposed river beaches at Alter do Chão.
Where to stay
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best area to stay in Santarém?
Central Santarém near the cathedral and Orla promenade suits short stays and easy airport access, while Alter do Chão, about 30-40 minutes away, suits travelers prioritizing river beaches over a quick transfer into town, especially on longer trips.
What types of accommodation are available in Santarém?
Santarém offers budget hotels and apart-hotels in the historic center, family-run pousadas ranging from simple to chalet-style, and hostels both downtown and near the river beaches around Alter do Chão, covering most budgets and trip lengths.
How far is Alter do Chão from central Santarém?
Alter do Chão sits roughly 30 to 40 minutes from central Santarém by taxi, and stays based directly in or near the village trade that distance for closer beach access and a genuinely slower pace.
Is Santarém a good base for visiting the Amazon river beaches?
Yes, Santarém sits within reach of both the Tapajós river beaches near Alter do Chão and the encontro das águas, the visible meeting of the Tapajós and Amazon waters near the city itself, an easy sight to combine.
What is the best time of year to visit Santarém?
The dry season, roughly June through November, brings lower river levels and more exposed white-sand beaches at Alter do Chão, making it the preferred window for river-focused stays and the busiest season for local pousadas.
Can travelers reach Santarém by river boat?
Yes, Porto DER in central Santarém serves as a passenger dock for river boats connecting to Belém and Manaus, an alternative to flying for travelers continuing along the Amazon at a considerably slower, cheaper pace.