tapajós river — alter do chão
River beaches, green water and peacock bass in the lakes and igarapés of the lower Tapajós, near Santarém.
Alter do Chão sits on the banks of the lower Tapajós, where the river is so wide it looks like a lake, with white-sand beaches that appear in the dry season. Sport fishing is for peacock bass in the lakes, igarapés and rock points, along with pescada-do-piauí, acará-açu, aruanã and apapá. In the main channel, pirarara and other catfish on bottom bait. The Arapiuns and Tapajós rivers, upriver, have traditional communities that welcome visitors. It is a strong tourist destination, good for combining fishing and sightseeing.
best season
Dry season, September to December, when the Tapajós beaches emerge and fish concentrate in the lakes and points.
Local rules: On the left bank is the Tapajós-Arapiuns Extractive Reserve and, upriver, the Tapajós National Forest: fishing and tourism follow the rules of each unit and of the communities. In Pará, sport anglers practice catch and release and consume only on site (Decreto PA 5.271/2026). Closed season from Nov 15 to Mar 15 for the species in Annex II of Portaria Ibama 48/2007. Check local rules.
- getting there
- About 35 km from Santarém, which has an airport with flights to Belém, Manaus and Brasília.
- facilities
- Inns, hotels, restaurants, boatmen and guides in Alter do Chão and Santarém.
- basin
- Amazon
tip
On the Tapajós, the afternoon wind raises high waves: fish early and look for sheltered coves and igarapés.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
what you can catch here
sources and references
Access, facilities and season information changes: check with the lodge, a local guide or the city hall before you travel.