The real Brazil – an expert guide to the Amazonian village of Boca da Valeria
Why go?
This sleepy little village deep in the rainforest is one of the best places on an Amazon river cruise to get an authentic taste of indigenous culture. You’ll meet Caboclo Indian people, can visit their homes and get a glimpse into a more simple way of life.
Location
Boca da Valeria is located between the towns of Parintins and Santarem, where the Valeria and Amazon rivers meet. A remote community with around 90 inhabitants, cruise ships are not able to dock here, so you will be tendered ashore.
Can I walk to any places of interest?
You’ll step off your tender on to a dock in the heart of the village to be warmly welcomed by villagers who live in ramshackle thatched wooden houses perched on stilts. You’ll likely be flanked by children dressed in colourful traditional clothing who will escort you around and pose for pictures in exchange for a dollar. Many kids bring their pets to meet cruise ship passengers, including lizards, parrots and sloths. There are signs on some of the houses welcoming visitors to come in and see the villagers’ living conditions first hand. There is also a school and a church so consider taking pens, pencils and exercise books for the children.
Getting around
Due to a complete lack of roads, motorised canoes are the main source of transportation. There are no facilities to operate organised excursions. However, if conditions permit, your ship’s tenders may take you along the river to other typical Caboclo villages to get a glimpse of local life. You can also walk into the jungle with ease.
What to see and do with a half-day in Boca da Valeria
Local men and women offer boat rides for a bargain $5 per person. In between sightings of giant lily pads, tiny riverside villages, people fishing and herding cattle, you’ll see where the Valeria and Amazon rivers converge, remaining separate for miles before finally blending together. You may also spot some of the abundant animal life, such as monkeys, parrots, sloths, caiman, toucans and other tropical birds. Also keep an eye out for pink river dolphins; they inhabit this part of the Amazon. Averaging about 8ft and weighing several hundred pounds, they do not have the typical dorsal fin that’s associated with the bottlenose dolphin, so you have to keep your eyes peeled to spot them.
Eat and drink
Boca da Valeria doesn't have any restaurants to speak of but there is one thatched-roof saloon at the far end of town. The selection of beverages is limited and kept in a cooler on the floor of the bar — bottled water, cold beer and soft drinks.
Don’t leave the town without…
Wood carvings, masks, beadwork, jewellery, mahogany artwork, leather goods and other hand-crafted items, which can be picked up at stalls set up near the dock. The people depend on cruise passengers buying their hand-crafted goods, some bearing designs which originated in this area 1,000 years ago.
Need to know
Boca da Valeria has a tropical monsoon climate and can be very hot and humid. Expect rain year-round especially in the wet season (November to July). Dress accordingly, and perhaps take a small umbrella. Also, wear enclosed walking shoes to avoid being bitten by ants.
Whether you walk hand in hand with a local child for 100 yards, take a photo of siblings with a sloth, or snap a selfie with a local resident in native dress, you'll be expected to tip. Pack a wad of single dollars as they go surprisingly fast.
