While not a tourist hot spot, Santarem’s location between Belem and Manaus provides a natural stopover on any Amazon trip. Apart from observing the activities in the port, you can explore the narrow streets of the old town and watch the “Meeting of the Waters” from a viewpoint at the town’s outskirts.
Local handicrafts such as pottery, woodcarvings and straw articles are your best choice. With a cruise ship in port, vendors often display their wares at the pier. Other shopping opportunities are found at the local market and small shops in the town center.
The Brazilian currency is the Real ("hay-ahl"), and Reais ("hay-ice") for the plural. The symbol for the Real is R$. The official exchange rate is published daily in the newspapers. U.S dollars are easily exchanged at hotels, banks, travel agencies and currency exchange offices. Generally, the exchange rate for traveler's checks is lower than for cash. Credit cards are widely accepted in large cities in Brazil, however, if you are traveling to smaller towns, it is advisable to exchange some money before your trip.