Things To Do
in Benevides
Benevides is a small municipality in the state of Pará in northern Brazil, located just north of the metropolitan area of Belém and set within the lowland mosaic of rivers, floodplain forest and small agricultural plots. The town serves as a quieter residential and agricultural satellite to Belém while offering easy access to Amazonian waterways, mangroves and rural communities. Local life is shaped by Pará cuisine, river-based livelihoods and a relaxed pace compared with the busy capital across the Guamá/Tocantins river systems. Visitors will find modest local services, friendly neighborhoods and good opportunities for day trips into Belém’s markets and nearby natural reserves.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Start your day with a visit to the charming Praça da Matriz, where you can admire the beautiful colonial architecture of the church and surrounding buildings. Grab a traditional breakfast at a nearby café, sampling local delicacies like pão de queijo and fresh fruit juices. As the sun rises higher, take a leisurely walk through the cobblestone streets, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of this historic area.
After lunch at a local restaurant, spend your afternoon exploring the Museu de Arte de Benevides, which showcases regional art and culture. Engage with local artists and learn about their techniques, perhaps even joining a workshop to create your own piece. As the day winds down, enjoy a stroll along the scenic paths near the river, enjoying the cool breeze and picturesque views.
For dinner, head to a popular local eatery to indulge in traditional Amazonian dishes, such as tacacá or maniçoba. After your meal, enjoy the lively ambiance of the town square, where you might catch a local music performance or festival. End your evening with a relaxing walk, appreciating the twinkling lights of Benevides as you reflect on your day.
Begin your day with a guided nature walk in the nearby Parque Municipal do Utinga, where you can witness the rich biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest. As you trek through the lush greenery, listen to the sounds of exotic birds and the rustling of leaves. Be sure to take plenty of photos of the stunning flora and fauna that surround you.
After a packed lunch among the trees, embark on a canoeing adventure in the tranquil waters of the park. Paddle through serene lagoons while learning about the local ecosystem and its importance to the region. If you're lucky, you may even spot some wildlife, including capybaras or colorful toucans.
Return to Benevides for a relaxing dinner at a riverside restaurant, enjoying the sunset views over the water. Savor the local fish dishes, prepared with fresh ingredients sourced from the nearby rivers. Conclude your day with a leisurely stroll along the waterfront, taking in the peaceful ambiance of the evening.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $8-15 |
| ☕Coffee and snack | $1.50-4 |
| 🚕Short taxi ride (local) | $3-8 |
| 🏨Mid-range hotel (per night) | $40-80 |
| 🛶Half-day boat tour or guide | $20-60 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Close access to Belém’s markets, cultural sites and transport hubs while offering a quieter, small-town feel
- Strong regional cuisine and opportunities to try authentic Pará specialties
- Good base for short nature excursions — rivers, mangroves and birding nearby
- Lower tourist density than Belém; more authentic local interactions
- Limited tourist infrastructure and fewer English speakers compared with larger cities
- Heavy rains and high humidity in the wet season can disrupt plans and make some roads difficult
- Fewer nightlife and cultural attractions in town — often requires travel to Belém
- Health risks typical of the Amazon region (mosquito-borne illness, limited local medical facilities)
- "Bom dia" - Good morning
- "Por favor" - Please
- "Obrigado / Obrigada" - Thank you (male speaker / female speaker)
- "Quanto custa?" - How much does it cost?
- "Onde fica ...?" - Where is ...?
- "Eu sou alérgico(a) a ..." - I am allergic to ...
- "Você pode me ajudar?" - Can you help me?
Places to Visit in Benevides
Visit one of these nice places.
Early-morning and late-afternoon light on the rivers, boats, local fishermen and wooden stilt houses provide classic Amazonian images — bring a zoom lens for activity on the water.
Vibrant colors, stacks of fruit, açaí sellers, fish stalls and busy market life make this a top spot for candid and food photography on a day trip from Benevides.
Nearby mangroves and floodplain edges are excellent for birding photography, especially at dawn and dusk when herons, kingfishers and other species are active.
Photograph local daily life, architecture and street scenes around the municipal center for authentic community portraits and atmospheric shots.
Forest trails, waterways and lookout points offer green landscapes, butterflies and birds — reachable on a short drive from Benevides.
Food in Benevides
Benevides Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
A classic of Pará: duck cooked in a yellow, tangy broth made from tucupi (fermented cassava juice) and seasoned with jambu (a numbing herb). Usually available at regional restaurants in Benevides and Belém, best enjoyed with rice and manioc flour.
Must-Try!
A hot, savory soup served in a cuia (gourd) made with tucupi, jambu, dried shrimp and goma (tapioca starch). Commonly sold by street vendors and markets in the afternoons and evenings around Belém and sometimes in larger communities near Benevides.
In Pará, açaí is often eaten as a savory accompaniment to fish and dried shrimp or with manioc flour rather than as a sweet bowl. Try it at local market stalls or family eateries.
A hearty dish made from slow-cooked manioc leaves combined with salted pork and sausages; typically prepared on special occasions and available at traditional restaurants in the region.
Fresh-caught catfish, tambaqui or pirarucu, simply grilled or roasted and served with farinha (cassava flour) and salad at local churrascarias and riverside restaurants.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Small municipal markets in Benevides sell fresh fish, cassava products, fruits and regional snacks; great for buying ingredients and tasting simple street food.
The historic and vibrant market in Belém — a must-visit for food photography, ingredients, açaí, tacacá and regional sweets. Expect dozens of food vendors, herbs, fish sellers and prepared-food stalls.
Look for tapioca, fried manioc, grilled skewers and tacacá vendors in town squares and along main roads at dusk; cash is often required and tasting is inexpensive.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Friendly, warm greetings are valued: a handshake is common in formal settings, while friends and acquaintances often exchange one or two light cheek kisses (right cheek first) and use first names quickly.
Use basic Portuguese courtesy — 'por favor' (please) and 'obrigado/obrigada' (thank you). Conversations may be animated; avoid abrupt criticism and be respectful when photographing people — ask permission.
Casual dress is acceptable in town; dress modestly when visiting churches or small communities. Avoid loud behavior in residential areas and respect local schedules (many businesses close for midday).
Be respectful of riverine and Indigenous customs when visiting communities; always ask before entering private land or taking photos of people and homes.
Safety
Tipping in Benevides
Ensure a smooth experience
A 10% service charge is commonly added in restaurants in Brazil; if service is not included, a 10% tip is customary. For small services (taxi drivers, porters, casual helpers) rounding up or leaving small change is appreciated but not mandatory.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in larger businesses and Belém, but small vendors, street stalls and rural services in Benevides often require cash. Carry Brazilian reals (BRL) for markets and local transport; mobile payment adoption is growing but spotty in small towns.
ATMs are available in larger nearby towns and Belém; bring cash when traveling to remote areas. Notify your bank about travel to avoid card blocks and prefer chip-and-PIN transactions when possible.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
In Benevides (and Pará) 'summer' months overlap with the rainy season (roughly December–May). Expect frequent heavy rain showers and high humidity, warm temperatures (25–32°C / 77–90°F) and swollen rivers which can affect boat schedules and muddy trails.
As rains taper (June–August), conditions become slightly drier with more stable skies and lower river levels in many areas — a good time for outdoor walks and photography with fewer mosquitoes.
Local 'winter' (June–August) in the equatorial region is mild rather than cold; temperatures remain warm but humidity can be lower and rainfall reduced, improving access to dirt roads and outdoor activities.
Transition to the wetter season (September–November) brings increasing humidity and more afternoon storms; aquatic navigation improves for some river routes as water levels rise, but flooding risk grows toward the wettest months.
Benevides at Night
Hiking in Benevides
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Located near Belém, this protected urban forest has trails along waterways and offers birdwatching, short hikes and shaded walking paths — a convenient natural escape from town.
An accessible park with gardens, birdlife and boardwalks through mangrove-like habitats; good for gentle walks and photography close to the city.
Short trails and rural paths on Combu Island (reachable by boat from Belém) showcase fruit orchards, small farms and river landscapes — combine with local lunch spots for a half-day trip.
Informal routes through agricultural plots, orchards and river edges close to the municipality are ideal for casual hiking and experiencing rural Pará life; bring insect repellent and water.
Airports
How to reach Benevides by plane.
The main international and domestic airport serving Belém, located roughly 30–50 minutes’ drive from Benevides depending on traffic. It’s the primary gateway for flights to/from major Brazilian cities and some regional connections.
A smaller regional airport/airstrip serving nearby towns; commercial service is limited, and most travelers use Belém for scheduled flights. Useful for some charter operations and regional connections.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
Many residents are of mixed Indigenous, European and African ancestry, reflecting the diverse historical influences across Pará.
A significant Afro-Brazilian presence contributes to local culture, music and cuisine in the region.
Communities living along rivers with livelihoods tied to fishing, small-scale agriculture and boat transport are important culturally and economically.
Proximity to Belém has brought residents who commute for work, blending rural traditions with suburban lifestyles.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The dominant sport — local teams and street/futsal games are popular community activities, and many people follow state and national football passionately.
Indoor small-sided football is common in schools and community centers, popular for youth and amateur leagues.
Traditional river-based activities like canoeing, small-boat racing and subsistence fishing are common in riverside communities and sometimes practiced recreationally.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Benevides.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options exist but are limited in small towns; ask for açaí with fruit, manioc-based dishes, salads and rice-and-beans combos. Clearly explain dietary needs in Portuguese (e.g., 'sou vegetariano/vegetariana') and expect fish-based broths in some preparations.
Vegan meals require asking for no fish, meat or dairy; manioc, fruits, rice, beans and vegetable stews can work. Carry snacks and plan to visit markets for fresh produce if local restaurants have limited options.
Manioc-based foods (cassava, tapioca) are naturally gluten-free and widely available, but always mention cross-contamination concerns and confirm ingredients for sauces or fried items.
Peanuts, seafood and shrimp are common in Pará cuisine; communicate allergies clearly in Portuguese and carry medication if you have severe allergies.