Brazil is full of places with strong personality. Belém do Pará is one of them. In addition to a lot of history, marajoara crafts, Amazon legends and carimbó, there is tucupi, jambu, tacacá, maniçoba, bacuri, taperebá, tucunare, and etc … Are these names familiar to you? For a place so full of peculiarities, it is worth a visit. So, here are 5 reasons why you should book a trip to Belém.
1) The culinary of Belém do Pará conquered me immediately with its exotic flavors. Many dishes are prepared with wonderful river fish, jambu (a plant also called agrião-do-Pará that when eaten gives a sensation of anesthesia in the mouth) and tucupi (yellow liquid, like a sauce, taken from the root of the wild cassava ). That alone is worth the trip. I recommend these restaurants: Remanso do Bosque and Remanso do Peixe. Be sure to check them out!
2) The Círio de Nazaré is one of the largest religious manifestations in the world. The festival takes place every year on the second Sunday of October in honor of Our Lady of Nazareth and leads a crowd of faithful to accompany more than 10 official pilgrimages, including some fluvial. The main procession starts from the Sé Cathedral towards the Basilica of Our Lady of Nazareth. The city receives more than 2 million visitors. It’s people so many people!
3) The Ver-o-Peso Market is one of the oldest and most emblematic public markets in Brazil. They sell some things that just exist there. Exotic fruits, fresh Pará nuts, natural açaí and medicinal herbs from the Amazon are the highlight. Go early in the morning and look for the Barraca da Carmelita to taste all the fruits. Ah! Drink the buçú water, it’s good for digestion and it’s super different.
4) The Docks Station is a beautiful surprise. The warehouses of the port were revitalized less than 20 years ago and brought new life to Belém. The place resembles the region of Puerto Madero in Buenos Aires. At the end of the day it fills up with people walking or leaving to take a boat trip around the bay. Some sit down to have a beer from Pará at Amazon Beer, others choose one of the many restaurants to eat. I was crazy about Cairu Ice Cream. My God! What a divine ice cream. The açaí with tapioca and the one with chestnut of Pará are unforgettable!
5) The Forte do Presépio represents the beginning of everything. It was built in 1616 to guard the entrance of Guajará Bay and protect the city. The fort is very well preserved. Inside, it has a museum with objects that have been found on the site. Practically next to it, visit the Casa das Onze Janelas which is also very old and today is a cultural center.
In addition, go to the Mangal das Garças Park, watch a show at the beautiful Theatro da Paz, visit the Pólo Joalheiro Museum that occupies a former prison. Lastly, if you have time, go to Mosqueiro Island, Combu Island, Marajó, Salinas and Alter do Chão. Belém will definitely win you over.
XoXo and see you all next Tuesday!
