Americans Can Now Fly Nonstop To One Of The Most Vibrant & Cheapest Cities In Latin America

Brazil tops the bucket record for a lot of Individuals touring to Latin America. From the electrifying vitality of Carnival in February to the golden-sand seashores washed by crystal-clear seas, it’s actually a slice of paradise.

Curiously sufficient, regardless of Brazil’s immense vacationer supply, most travelers visit Rio and nothing else.

If you happen to’re hoping to expertise a special facet of Brazil, nevertheless, one that almost all foreigners are solely oblivious to, it’s best to take into account visiting Belém as a substitute.

A cultural hotspot in Northern Brazil, well-known for its full of life road markets, Amazonian meals, wealthy indigenous tradition, it is now a single direct flight away from Miami—and for these of you who hate long-hauls, this can be a a lot shorter flight than Rio!

Fly Nonstop To Northern Brazil From Miami

Since June 15, Individuals have been in a position to fly nonstop from Miami, the gateway to Latin America, to one of many area’s lesser-known but most fun locations.

The airline working on this route is Brazil-based GOL Linhas Aéreas, with flights departing from Miami (MIA) each Monday and Friday at 9:45 a.m. and arriving in Belém (BEL) at 4:35 p.m. native time on the identical calendar date, with a complete length of 6 hours and 10 minutes.

For comparability, the shortest Miami–Rio flight takes a considerably longer 8 hours and 35 minutes.

However, return flights can be found solely as soon as every week on Tuesdays, leaving the Northern Brazilian metropolis at 9:10 a.m. and touching down in Miami at 5:20 p.m. Spherical-trip fares differ relying on season and seat availability, however the everyday vary is $360–400.

That is enormous information for Northern Brazil-bound vacationers, as beforehand, they must fly both to Rio or São Paulo, that are each a lot additional south, solely to vary flights and journey north once more.

Why Go to Belém?

Situated within the decrease Amazon, within the scenic Guajará Bay, Belém is the capital of Pará, a state famend for its indigenous heritage, lush nature, and hearty delicacies.

If we’re speaking must-sees, you higher begin with Cidade Velha, or Outdated City: the oldest a part of town, it’s characterised by a string of tile-clad homes, Portuguese-style, lining a picturesque riverfront, and its Seventeenth-century Forte do Presépio.

This was constructed by Portuguese settlers in the course of the Transatlantic commerce to each fence off advances from resisting indigenous tribes, in addition to firmly set up their presence on the mouth of the Amazon River.

Not removed from the fort, you may discover the Sé Cathedral, a Portuguese Baroque edifice raised in 1748, that includes richly embellished interiors.

The place To Eat In Belém

Ver-o-Peso, one of many largest open-air markets in Latin America, is one more common vacation spot for promoting freshly caught Amazonian fish, native fruits which are tough to search out elsewhere, such because the stringent-flavored cupuaçu and buriti, açaí bowls, and handicrafts.

Shaded by a colonial-era iron construction, it is positive to attraction to each tradition buffs and foodies alike.

Talking of açaí, had been you conscious that the Amazon area is the place the crushed fruit originates? Earlier than you are taking a spoonful of the plum-colored puree, nevertheless, it’s best to know that the unique açaí, as served in Belém, tastes a bit completely different from the commercialized bowls you may discover elsewhere.

It is the precise pulp of the fruit, strained by both hand of small mills, and the flavour is earthier and a tad gritty, not precisely candy.

Down by Estação das Docas, a riverfront warehouse dwelling to family-owned eating places and quirky bars, you may pattern the native Amazon craft beer, and a myriad of regional dishes, from tacacá, a stew constructed from tapioca gum and dried shrimp, to pato no tucupi, boiled duck served in a thick manioc sauce.

Attractive Amazonian Nature

Now, in contrast to Rio, Belém has no seashores inside brief driving distance of town heart—it is on the mouth of the Amazon River, bear in mind?

Nonetheless, over in Mangal das Garças, an ecological park within the midst of the city sprawl, you may get a style of the unspoiled nature of the Amazon:

It is criss-crossed with tourist-friendly walkways that result in lush gardens and iguana sanctuaries, and the lighthouse is ideal for birdwatching.

Lastly, do not miss out on Ilha do Combu, an island a fast boat journey throughout the river, the place locals nonetheless stay in stilt homes and stay off of handicrafts and cacao plantations—naturally, you may’t go away with out attempting home made chocolate from a neighborhood chocolate maker.

How Costly Is Belém?

Fascinating tradition apart, Belém is considered one of Latin America’s most affordable destinations:

A bowl of commercialized, dessert-style açaí prices, on common R$24–26, or $4–5, whereas sit-down meals in eating places frequented by locals vary from $4 to $6. As for motels, you could find them for as low cost as $25–40:

As of this yr, Individuals are no longer eligible to journey to Brazil visa-free.

As a U.S. passport holder, you should first apply for an eVisa. Take a look at the newest entry necessities for Brazil here (and test the protection recommendation here).

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead author at Journey Off Path, has over 60+ international locations underneath his belt (and at the moment weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative tales that may have you ever packing your baggage.