natural phenomenon · Santarém, PA
Encontro dos rios Tapajós e Amazonas
In front of the Santarém waterfront, the greenish water of the Tapajós meets the muddy water of the Amazon without mixing. You can see it from the shore or by boat.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Encontro dos rios Tapajós e Amazonas
Right in front of the Santarém waterfront, in western Pará, the Tapajós River flows into the Amazon. The two waters run side by side without mixing at first: on one side the Tapajós, clearer and greenish; on the other, the muddy Amazon.
The difference comes from what each river carries. The Amazon brings a lot of sediment eroded all the way from the Andes. The Tapajós arrives with little suspended material. Differences in temperature, density and speed help keep the line between the two colors for a good stretch.
You can see the meeting from the city waterfront itself, any time of year, with no effort and at no cost. To reach the line between the waters, there are boat trips from the Santarém river terminal and also from Alter do Chão. Many combine the meeting with igarapés (creeks) and floodplain channels, such as the Canal do Jari.
If you travel by boat between Belém, Santarém and Manaus, you pass the meeting along the way. Since 2014, a state law has recognized the Meeting of the Waters of the Tapajós and Amazon rivers as intangible cultural heritage of Pará.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
From 30 minutes on the waterfront to a morning or afternoon on a boat trip.
Best time
Any time of year; in the late afternoon, the waterfront combines the view of the meeting with the sunset.
How to get there
It is in front of the Santarém (PA) waterfront, downtown. To see it up close, take a boat trip from the waterfront's tourist river terminal or from Alter do Chão.
Tip
If you go by boat, ask to stop on the line between the waters: you can put a hand on each side and feel the difference in temperature between the two rivers.
A look at the place
Encontro dos rios Tapajós e Amazonas in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Encontro dos rios Tapajós e Amazonas
Where can I see the meeting of the Tapajós and Amazon rivers?
From the Santarém waterfront, which faces the meeting point, or up close on a boat trip.
Why don't the waters of the Tapajós and the Amazon mix?
The Amazon carries a lot of sediment and the Tapajós very little. Differences in temperature, density and speed keep the waters apart for a stretch.
Can you see the meeting of the waters year-round?
Yes. The phenomenon can be seen any time of year.
Where do boat trips to the meeting of the waters depart from?
From the tourist river terminal on the Santarém waterfront and also from Alter do Chão.
Is the Santarém meeting of the waters a heritage site?
Yes. A 2014 state law recognizes it as intangible cultural heritage of Pará.