NEW! From the Caribbean to the Amazon

Take a scenic journey through vibrant Belém, passing its historic sites and iconic buildings. Begin with a one-hour drive by motor coach to the city. Known as the “Gateway to the Amazon River,” Belém became the region’s first European colony upon its founding by the Portuguese in 1616. Upon arrival, pass by Ver-o-Peso, the bustling waterfront market that is almost as old as the city itself. See the 18th-century Our Lady of Grace Cathedral and the imposing stone facade of the Forte do Presépio, built to protect Belém from attacks by the French and Dutch. Head into the heart of the old city to see the Emílio Goeldi Museum, home to a large collection of indigenous flora and fauna, and the neoclassical Basilica of Our Lady of Nazareth of Exile. You will also visit the 19th-century Paz Theater during the one-hour drive back to your awaiting ship.

Experience Belém’s vibrant multiculturalism, tree-lined squares, colonial buildings and colorful Ver-o-Peso market. A one-hour drive by motor coach takes you to Belém, the first European colony on the Amazon and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Focusing on the Cidade Velha (Old City), you will see highlights like the brilliant white Cathedral of Sé and Castle Fort. Also known as the Presépio Fort, it dates to 1616 and was the fortress upon which Belém was built. Thanks to its distinctive architecture, Belém resembles Old Portugal with its neoclassical buildings and blue azulejo tiles. It is also home to a vibrant Amerindian culture, which thrives at the waterfront Ver-o-Peso market, the largest open air market in Latin America. Here, locals and visitors alike sample cuisine and shop for medicinal herbs, textiles, basketry, açaí berries and more. After, return to your ship via coach.

Enjoy a comprehensive visit to Belém’s sprawling Ver-o-Peso, the largest open air market in Latin America. After a one-hour drive by motor coach, you will arrive at this historic waterfront landmark, where boats laden with Amazonian treasures have been coming for 300 years. During your visit, you will see many unique rain forest products while also observing traditional labor practices, learning about Indigenous folk beliefs and sampling some regional fare. In addition to the main building, with its twin neo-Gothic towers and iron clock, the market includes dockside stalls and tents. Your guide will lead you through the different areas and explain the uses for products like açaí berries, medicinal herbs and more. Spend time shopping for everything from scented oils to housewares to cobra teeth before returning by coach to your ship.

Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the waterfront Ver-o-Peso Market, the largest in Latin America. Embark on a scenic drive by motor coach to Belém’s Ver-o-Peso Market, home to a myriad of stalls offering tropical fruits, fish, spices and more. Visit a former 17th-century tax warehouse, where goods were weighed to determine tax due to the Portuguese crown and view Indigenous herbal remedies, passed down through generations. Learn how the essences of the Amazon are transformed into cosmetics at a perfume factory and discover key ingredients used by many of the world's most famous fashion brands. Visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Nazareth, an elaborate recreation of St. Paul’s in Rome and focal point of one of the largest religious festivals in the world, then cap your day with a traditional lunch where you may taste nutritional acai. Later, return to your ship via coach.

Visit some of the iconic sights of Belém, gateway to the Amazon and capital city of Pará. After a scenic drive by motor coach, join your host for a stroll through the historic Cidade Velha (Old City). See the Presépio Fort, built by the Portuguese in the 17th century, and enjoy sweeping views from atop its thick stone walls. Continue to the Museum of the Meeting and the House of Eleven Windows, where wealthy sugar barons sipped tea and watched as slaves loaded boats with sugar, ready for export. View the Church of St. Alexander, Belém’s first church founded by Jesuits. Gaze upon the renovated Cathedral of Sé, with its gleaming white exterior, and explore the botanical gardens and mini-zoo in the grounds of the Emílio Goeldi Museum. Finally, enjoy a cooking demonstration and tasting of a traditional tapioca crepe, a Brazilian specialty, then return to your ship.

Experience life along the Guamá River and interact with locals during a journey to Boa Vista do Acará Island. Transfer by motor coach to the pier in Belém, where you will board a speedboat with your guide and set out to cruise along the Guamá River. A branch of the mighty Amazon River, the Guamá River is composed of myriad channels lined with lush tropical rain forest. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to take a closer look at the equatorial flora and fauna. Upon arrival at Boa Vista do Acará, meet its native caboclo residents, known as Ribeirinhos. Enjoy a guided walk through the village—taking in the houses built on stilts above the river—and venture into the forest, where your guide will identify the local plant life. You may have a chance to sample fruit from a cocoa tree or a Brazil nut before returning to your ship via motor coach.