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PA · Brazil
The Pará town where the tide rises up the Capim River in a wave — the pororoca — ridden by athletes from several countries at the festival usually held between March and April.
In the photo: São Domingos do Capim on the riverbank, in Pará.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
São Domingos do Capim is a town in northeastern Pará, about 140 km from Belém, at the meeting of the Capim and Guamá rivers. It is known for the pororoca: twice a day, the Atlantic tide enters through the Guajará Bay, rises the Guamá River and, near the town, advances against the Capim’s current as a wave.
The word pororoca comes from Tupi and means roar, referring to the sound of the incoming water. The wave is stronger on full and new moons, and the biggest ones tend to appear when the rivers are high, especially between March and April, near the equinox. In São Domingos do Capim, waves usually stay under two meters, but they travel long distances upriver.
Since the late 1990s the town has welcomed surfers who ride the wave for several kilometers. The Pororoca Festival, with surfing competitions, canoe races, music and Pará food such as maniçoba, tacacá and roasted fish, is the municipality’s main event. Dates change each year according to the tide calendar.
Outside festival season the town is quiet, with life centered on the river, boats and fishing. The wave continues to pass, smaller, throughout the year.
This destination brings together 1 city: São Domingos do Capim.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Map: @svg-maps/brazil, CC BY 4.0
✈ Aeroporto Internacional de Belém (BEL), in Belém · 140 km to São Domingos do Capim
From Belém it’s about 140 km by road, taking BR-316 and then state highways. There are buses from Belém to the town. The nearest airport is in Belém. During the festival demand for transport and accommodation increases; book in advance.
The local experience
Wave formed by the Atlantic tide that rises up the Capim River against the current and passes in front of São Domingos do Capim, surfed by athletes at the Pororoca Festival.
Discover Pororoca of the Capim River
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
The largest pororocas usually occur from January to May, when the rivers are high, and are stronger on full and new moon tides, particularly between March and April. The Pororoca Festival is normally held at that time; the town hall announces the dates each year. Wave height depends on the tide and river volume.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
One or two days, chosen according to the tide table, allow you to see the pororoca pass through the town, preferably more than once. Many people make a same-day trip from Belém on the day of a big tide. If you want to follow the festival, reserve the whole weekend.
The few accommodations are in the center of São Domingos do Capim, near the riverbank, where you can see the wave arrive. During the festival they fill up, and many visitors stay in Belém or nearby towns and make the trip by car or bus.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
It is the wave formed when the tide rises up a river against the current. In São Domingos do Capim, the tide entering through Guajará Bay rises the Guamá River and advances along the Capim as a wave.
From January to May, when the rivers are high, on new and full moon tides. The biggest ones are usually between March and April. Check the tide table before going.
About 140 km by road, leaving Belém on BR-316. There are buses between the two towns.
It usually takes place between March and April, on dates set each year according to the tides. The São Domingos do Capim town hall publishes the schedule.
Yes, experienced surfers ride the wave for long stretches of the Capim River, especially during the festival. The river has currents, logs and boats; don’t take risks without a guide who knows the area.
