| AMAZONSHAMROCK B&B |
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| Alter do Chao Beach - SANTAREM |
| Rainforest Links: |
| Cellphone: (55) 93 9121-7484 |
| The AMAZONSHAMROCK B&B is a private Bed and Breakfast, in Santarem, in the Brazilian rainforest! |
| Santarem is a jungle city of approximately 300,000 people of Portuguese, Indian and African heritage (and at least one Irishman!) located about 500 miles from the mouth of the mighty Amazon river, where it meets the crystal clear waters of the Tapajos and its beautiful fresh water beaches. |
| GETTING AROUND Car rentals are available, but expensive. However public transportation is ubiquitous and cheap. That said, most public buses do not have air-conditioning and since few streets are paved, bus trips can be hot and dusty. There are plenty of taxis available, or, if you want to live dangerously, you can hitch a ride on the back of a motorcycle. There are hundreds of "mototaxis" to take you just about anywhere for a dollar. Boat transportation is the norm if you travel outside the city. Hundreds of passenger boats ply the Amazon river to Manaus, Belem and the towns in between. You will need a hammock! |
| TheAmazonSHAMROCK units are accessible to the handicapped and have private bathrooms with a warm electric shower to wash away dust and grime after riding the buses or hiking in the rainforest. |
| THINGS TO DO Take a hike! ...or a bus ride! All buses pass right by our door.. For the 50 cents fare you can visit our new Zoo, imbibe the local flavor and see how "the other half" lives. Take a bus ride to the outlying neighborhoods and towns. It's almost impossible to get lost since your bus always returns to the same stop. The ride on the dirt or gravel roads may be steamy and bumpy, but it will provide you with a kaleidoscope of rainforest sights and sounds DAY TRIPS. We can arrange fishing expeditions, day trips to view the rainforest flora and fauna, or to cool off on the freshwater beaches, such as Alter do Chao which has scrumptious but primitive seafood restaurants on the water's edge. Abandoned Ford rubber plantations at Belterra and Fordlandia offer an insight into the region's past history. (For further information on these and other tours or day-trips, check the tourist agency links at the bottom of the page) FESTIVALS Carnaval in February, and Saire in September are the main folk festivals. Parentins, 20 hours by boat up the Amazon has a world-class Boi-bumba festival at the end of June which is a "must see" event. Boi bumba is an erotic traditional Indian dance in the Amazon region. "Boi" means bull and bumba is the same as "derriere". We leave the rest to your imagination! The feast days of the various saints are well attended cultural/religious events. There are dozens of other music and folklore festas as well as festivals for artizans, native arts and crafts and woodworkers which are a great source of souveneirs. RELAX. If you feel like just relaxing, you can take in some rays in our sun-drenched orchard or start up the barbecue under our huge mango tree. Or read a good book in the comfort of your air-conditioned apartment |
| GETTING THERE (from the USA) Flight time from Miami to Santarem International Airport, via Manaus, is six (6) hours. Currently only TAM Brazilian Airlines has direct flights from Miami to Manaus. Copa Air has flights from Miami via Panama. Remember that US citizens need a visitor's visa. Upon arrival in Manaus, the adventurous can take the high- speed Ajato launch for the 12 hour trip down the Amazon to Santarem. The launch is air-conditioned and (relatively) comfortable. However the one hour flight from Manaus to Santarem is the recommended way to go. |
| Room Rates: The CEDAR ROOM ..........$80 per night* The MAHOGANY ROOM .$100 per night.* The ASH ROOM................$100 per night* *Single or double occupancy All prices are in US dollars, and include a full breakfast. |
| Hiking in Tapajos National Forest |
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| The AmazonShamrock is a gated residence centrally located at 51 Avenida Rui Barbosa, with an emphasis on the guest's comfort and security; each unit has an electronic safe for the guest's laptop and valuables. All AmazonShamrock rooms feature central airconditioning, television, mini-bar, microwave and full double beds. However, if it floats your boat, you can sleep in a hammock like the natives! Laundry and ironing facilities as well as internet access are available.. We can arrange babysitting with sufficient notice. |
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| Take a stroll on the waterfront |
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| DINING: The Piracatu, Santarem's best seafood restaurant is just a block from your room. Bar Mascote on the riverfront, has an eclectic menu, and live music on weekends. A favorite is Mutunuy, a budget-priced barbecue. For lighter fare, try a salada de frutas or a giant quart-size beer at a sidewalk cafe while watching the constant promenade of riverfront walkers and joggers!. NIGHTLIFE: The younger folk can rock or samba the night away at the Funhouse or Scalper, while Mamagaia caters to the over 30 crowd. Entretantos has "pagode" a mixture of samba and African rhythms, on Thursday nights, and occasionally, you can pick-up a session of capoeira, a folkloric martial arts extravaganza. |
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| Your Host, Jim Murray, is a retired Irishman fleeing from Rhode Island winters! Brrr! Check out Santarem's weather below! |
