river · Santarém, PA
Rio Arapiuns
A clear-water river with deserted beaches and communities that welcome visitors in family-run pousadas. It is the route for anyone who wants to spend days on the water.
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 Rio Arapiuns
The Arapiuns River is a tributary of the Tapajós that flows in near Alter do Chão, in Santarém, in western Pará. Its waters look dark from afar but are clear up close, and at low water they reveal white sandbanks that form beaches that are almost always deserted.
The trip leaves by boat or speedboat from Alter do Chão or Santarém and usually stops at sand points such as Praia do Icuxi, Ponta do Toronó and Ponta Grande. There you find freshwater natural pools and plenty of space to swim, walk and relax in the shade.
Riverside communities live along the banks, many inside the Tapajós-Arapiuns Extractive Reserve. In places like Coroca, Anã and Urucureá, residents welcome visitors with fish lunches, trails, stingless bee keeping and crafts woven from tucumã palm straw.
You can go on a day trip or stay longer, sleeping in the communities or on board, with no cell signal for much of the way. The boat journey is long, so the trip is most rewarding if you have a few days in the region. It requires no physical effort, but boarding and landing are done right on the sand.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
A full day on the boat trip; if you want to get to know the communities at a relaxed pace, stay two days or more.
Best time
In the dry season, roughly from August to January, when the river drops and the beaches appear; leave early to make the most of the day and see the sunset on the way back.
How to get there
The river is west of Alter do Chão and Santarém (PA). You can only get there by water, on boat or speedboat trips from Alter do Chão, or on regular boats and speedboats that leave Santarém for the communities.
Tip
Bring cash, sunscreen, insect repellent and a flashlight, and agree in advance with the agency or community on what is included, because the stops are at deserted beaches and small communities.
A look at the place
Rio Arapiuns 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 Rio Arapiuns
How do I get to the Arapiuns River?
By water only: on boat or speedboat trips from Alter do Chão, or on regular boats and speedboats that leave from Santarém.
What is the best time to go to the Arapiuns?
The dry season, roughly from August to January, when the river drops and the white-sand beaches appear. At high water many of them are submerged.
Which beaches does the trip visit?
Itineraries usually stop at sand points such as Praia do Icuxi, Ponta do Toronó and Ponta Grande, depending on the river level.
Can you visit the riverside communities?
Yes. Communities such as Coroca, Anã and Urucureá welcome visitors with lunch, trails, bee keeping and tucumã palm straw crafts. Arrange your visit in advance.
Can you do the Arapiuns in one day?
Yes, there are day trips from Alter do Chão. Since the boat journey is long, if you have more time you can sleep in the communities or on the boat.