Monte Alegre

Down the Amazon River about six hours by boat is the city of Monte Alegre, sitting in the shadow of some tall, tropical mountains. Up in those looming mountains are some of the oldest cave paintings in the Americas, around 12,000 year old. Discovered by American archeologist Ana Roosevelt, the paintings provide some evidence that civilization in the Americas began in the Amazon region. A hike up to the cave paintings should be arranged in advance with the city of Monte Alegre and can be administered through Santarém Tour. A guide sponsored by the city of Monte Alegre is required. Besides the cave paintings, there are numerous waterfalls and beautiful vistas along the short but difficult hike up into the hills.

Another interesting excursion in the area is a trip out to the Sulfur Springs Station (Estância de Águas Sulfurosas), a structure from 1922 that was designed to capture the warm waters coming down from the Ererê Mountains. The 40°C waters are rich in sulfur and are excellent for certain health conditions or just relaxing and rejuvenating (a luxury of the rubber barons, no doubt). The station is about 15 kilometers from town along the PA-225 road.

After a day hiking and bathing in hot springs, there’s nothing more enchanting than waiting for the return of the egrets to their evening perches around Monte Alegre. The spectacle takes place every day at sunset and you can catch it from a number of observation points in the city.