- Belém prides itself on being the cultural and economic center of northern Brazil. The Federal University of Pará was founded in 1957.
- These photos of Belém demonstrate how closely the city is tied to the water. Fishing boats and docks are a common sight.
- Nightlife draws people in for music and dancing. Samba shows, traditional music and dance, carimbó and popular music and dance at boates are popular.
- Goeldi Museum offers a world-famous ethnological and zoological collections on the Amazon. The museum has a zoological-botanical garden, sheltering manatees, alligators, snakes, monkeys, birds and other Amazonian animals, an aquarium and the ethnology museum itself. Don't miss the collection of Marajoara ceramics, Indian artifacts, stuffed birds and old photos.
- The old docks As Docas have been renovated and now house restaurants and shops.
- The newly renovated docks of Belém near the Mercado Ver o peso claim the finest restaurants in town, as well as numerous food stands serving local seafood.
- From the waterfront, stroll to the Praça de Republica to see the 1874 Teatro da Paz theater that has seen many famous artists.
- Cidade Velha is an older part of the city with many fine mansions built in the French style popular during the rubber boom.
- In the Praça do Relógio, named for the replica of London's Big Ben, are the Palácio Antõnio Lemos with the Museo da Cidade. Also called the Blue Palace for the blue tiles, it's a Brazilian imperial style building with huge rooms and imported furnishings. The Palácio Lauro Sodré was built in the 1770s for Portuguese crown officials and contains period paintings, a chapel, stables and a dungeon.
- Excursions from Belém:
- Icoaracy Village, about 25 km from the city, is well-known as the ceramics center of northern Brazil. Marajoara and Tapajonic ceramics are created here.
- Ilha de Marajo is an ecological preserve with unspoiled beaches, many varieties of flora and fauna, and lots of wildlife, including water buffalo.
- Mosqueiro Island, 80 km from Belém, is connected to the mainland by Sebastião de Oliveira Bridge. The island's architecture reflects the many influences in of Belém and the area. The island is popular for beautiful river beaches, restaurants, bars and hotels.
Whenever you go to Belém, boa viajem, and tell us about your trip!