Where to Stay in Belém (Brazil): A Local’s Guide

Wondering where to stay in Belém do Pará, Brazil? Although it’s a large city, with around 2 million inhabitants and 89 neighborhoods, most of its tourist attractions, as well as many of the best bars, restaurants, and parties, are concentrated in a relatively small area. So, as you’ll see in this article, it’s not too difficult to decide where to stay in Belém for a good experience. And it’s going to get even easier with the tips I’ll share here.

I’ll go over the main neighborhoods and share recommendations for hotels, guesthouses, and hostels in each of them. I’ve limited my selection to places I’ve stayed at or been recommended to, or other accommodation rated above 8 by guests at Booking.com, the website I use to book the stays for all my trips.

Worth noting: The Círio de Nazaré festival, considered the largest religious celebration in Brazil, takes place in Belém on the second Sunday of October. During this period, as you may imagine, hotels become highly sought after, with higher prices and limited availability. So, if you’re planning a trip to Belém during this time, it’s best to book accommodation as early as possible.

Where to Stay in Belém: Best Neighborhoods

In summary, the best neighborhoods to stay in Belém are Nazaré, Umarizal, Batista Campos, and Campina, but Cidade Velha and other nearby areas are also good options. In general, I recommend checking accommodation reviews left on Booking.com and considering their distance from Estação das Docas, which serves as a reference point for tourist itineraries.

If you want to know exactly how far your accommodation is from Belém’s main attractions, you can check the locations I enjoyed visiting the most: Mercado Ver-o-Peso, Ilha do Combu, Espaço Apoena, and the Feliz Lusitânia Complex (which includes Forte do Presépio, Museu do Encontro, and Casa das 11 Janelas). Mangal das Garças is also a great spot to visit, though slightly farther away.

It’s also worth mentioning that Uber rides in Belém are quite affordable, so even if you’re not staying right next to the main attractions, getting around shouldn’t be too expensive.

When I visited the city, I stayed in Nazaré for a few days, then went to Ilha do Marajó (outside Belém), and upon returning, I spent a night in Campina. I really liked both locations.

Where to Stay in Belém Near the Main Attractions

Campina

A large portion of Belém’s tourist attractions is located in Campina, including Mercado Ver-o-Peso, Estação das Docas, Praça da República, and Theatro da Paz. The convenient location, allowing you to explore many places on foot, makes this a great area to stay in Belém. However, it’s important to note that this is a commercial area—meaning it’s bustling during the day but can be unsafe at night.

For that reason, it’s best to be extra cautious if you return to your hotel at night or on Sundays. I also recommend staying close to Avenida Presidente Vargas, which is a busier area. Another thing to have in mind is that most hotels in this area function in older buildings.

I stayed in Campina for my last night in the city, but unfortunately the hotel I stayed at has closed down.

Other accommodation options in this region include Rede Andrade Docas and Grão Pará hotels. Ecopousada Miriti is a cost-effective choice.

Where to Stay in Belém for More Tranquility

Nazaré

One of the best options for accommodation in Belém is the Nazaré neighborhood, home to the Basílica Santuário de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré. This obviously makes it an excellent place for those attending the Círio de Nazaré festival. However, if you’re visiting during the festival and prefer to avoid the crowds, it’s best to skip this neighborhood.

I chose Nazaré for my stay in Belém because the neighborhood is close to the Historic Center, but it’s also very peaceful to walk around during the day and has affordable restaurants and shops.

I walked from my accommodation to several places, such as the Museu Emilio Goeldi (which has a beautiful botanical garden) and the Basílica, and paid very little for an Uber ride to the historic center, bars, and restaurants. Unfortunately, the apartment where I stayed is no longer available, but there are plenty of accommodation options in the area.

Some of the best hotels in Belém are located here, like Grand Mercure Belém. Other good options include Ibis Styles Belém Nazaré and Belém Soft Hotel.

If you’re on a tighter budget, check out the highly rated Hotel Marajoara. For those looking for hostels, check out OVibe Hostel & Arts.

Umarizal

Another good area to consider if you’re looking for accommodation in Belém is Umarizal, a residential neighborhood that is home to the Complexo Ver-o-Rio and a good selection of bars and restaurants, in addition to being one of the safest areas in the city. The Terminal Hidroviário de Belém, from where boats depart to Ilha do Marajó (which I highly recommend visiting!), is also located here.

If you want to stay in Umarizal, check out Mercure Belém Boulevard and Bristol Umarizal Belém.

Batista Campos

Batista Campos is probably your best choice if you’re looking for a quiet and safe area. Neighboring Nazaré, it’s more residential and upscale, but it’s also close to the main attractions of the city center and has a good range of shops and services.

Some highlights in terms of accommodation in this area include Ibis Styles Belém Batista Campos and the highly praised Radisson Hotel Belém. A more affordable option is Ibis Styles Belém do Pará.

Cidade Velha

This area is home to Mangal das Garças, one of Belém’s main attractions, but although its name means “Old Town” it isn’t very close to the core of the historic tourist center.

Still, Cidade Velha is relatively near most of the places you’re likely to visit, and it houses one of the best hotels in Belém, the charming Atrium Hotel Quinta de Pedras. The hotel is located in a beautiful old building, which is very well kept, and has a pool and a spa. Many people who live in Belém stay there for a few days just to enjoy the atmosphere and amenities.

Where to Stay in Belém Near the Airport

Belém International Airport is located 10 km from the city center. If you need to stay close to it because you have an early flight or something similar, there aren’t many well rated options around, but I would probably go for Hotel Antiga Roma, which is just 1 km from the airport. If your plan is to explore the city, this isn’t the best area to stay in Belém.

Free Accommodation in Belém

Did you know you can stay in Belém for free by volunteering through Worldpackers? Here’s how it works: you help the host with a few hours of work per week in exchange for accommodation and other benefits, like meals and excursions. The specific conditions for each opportunity are listed on the platform.

Besides being an excellent way to save money, this type of travel allows for deeper cultural immersion. You can explore the city at your own pace and make lots of friends, including locals who know everything like the back of their hands, as well as other travelers who can join you on your adventures. I’ve done this type of work exchange in Brazil and Europe, and it was always awesome.

Anyone can browse Worldpackers’ available positions for free. If you want to apply for one, you’ll need to pay an annual fee of 59 USD. However, if you click here or use the discount code JANELASABERTAS, you’ll only pay 49 USD. The registration gives you the right to travel as a volunteer as many times as you like for one year, in Brazil and all around the world.

To find out more, check out my complete guide on how Worldpackers works.