A yellow sauce made from fermented, cooked manioc juice, central to Belém's signature dish, pato no tucupi (duck in tucupi).
Discover Authentic Belém: A Local Travel Guide by Mercure
No stock lists here. Recommended by the team at Mercure Belém Boulevard. What follows is their actual advice for Belém — the spots they'd send a friend to, not what ranks well online. Find our picks below, an interactive map, and the FAQs travellers ask us most.
Top 5 Things to Do in Belém
Mercado Ver-o-Peso
The largest open-air market in Latin America, its iron market hall shipped over from Europe in the late 1800s. Wander past mountains of Amazonian fruit and fresh river fish, then sit down for pato no tucupi at one of the market's popular restaurants.
Basílica de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré
The spiritual heart of Belém and the finish line of the Círio de Nazaré procession, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world every October.
Estação das Docas
Restored century-old port warehouses turned into a riverside strip of restaurants and bars - a good spot to watch the sunset over the Guamá river with a cold beer.
Mangal das Garças
A garden park where herons and scarlet ibises nest right in the city, with a lookout tower for river views.
Casa das Onze Janelas
A restored colonial-era building overlooking the Guamá river, now an art space next to the Forte do Presépio. Time it for late afternoon and the view over the water rivals anywhere in the city.
Explore Belém's Best Local Spots with Our Interactive Map
FAQ
Every October, ending at the Basílica de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré - it's one of the largest religious processions in the world.
It's Belém's most visited attraction and busy with locals doing their daily shopping - go during the day, stick to the popular food stalls, and keep valuables close as in any busy market.
Where to Sleep in Belém
See Mercure hotels in Belém, all within reach of these picks.