About the city
The city of Belém lies on the banks of the Guajara Bay. It is the second most populated city of the northern region of Brazil and one of the main entrance gates to the Amazon region.

A city of rich culture, related to the mixture of races and biodiversity, Belém went through a economic boom at the beginning of the 20th Century, during the rubber industry cycle which attracted many European immigrants and left reminiscences in its eclectic-style architecture. The city was venue of the last edition of the World Social Forum (WSF).

PARATUR website, official tourism company of the state of Pará, features information on the main attractions and events in Belém, a list of travel agencies and accommodation and lodging options:

Clicking on this link you will access Wikipedia article on Belém.

Climate
May is part of the so-called "dry season" in Belém. Nevertheless, rains are probably to fall in any season so it is advisable to bring an umbrella or a raincoat. The average temperature ranges between 30º and 35ºC. For cooler nights a light sweater or jacket is recommended. In the website of the National Institute of Meteorology you will find the forecast for the state of Pará by selecting the option Estado on the left menu and clicking on the map.

Maps
The website of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) a set of interactive maps on the Brazilian territory that cover different aspects, from the territorial division to topics such as Protected Areas, Endangered Species and Environmental Diagnosis of the Amazon, among others.

On its part, the Minister of Tourism features in its website destinations and itineraries, classified by states, and tourism options such as culture, sports and eco-tourism.

Health
Participants are advised to travel with a health insurance that covers their stay in Brazil. The Brazilian Ministry of Health recommends the inoculation against yellow fever; the vaccine should be taken ten days before arrival in the risk areas and should be valid for a period of 10 years. Read here the health recommendations issued by the Brazilian government.


Currency exchange
The Brazilian currency is the Real (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Real bills/notes, 1 Real piece and 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents pieces). Money can be exchanged at Exchange stands at the airport or at Belém's banks where regular banking operations can be conducted. Visit the website of the Central Bank of Brazil to see the exchange rates for different currencies.


Eating out
Brazilian gastronomy is charactized by the marks left by different peoples who converged in the city in the course of its history, with an outstanding indigenous influence. Fruits such as açaí and capuacu, seeds like castanha-do-pará and different varieties of fish are widely used ingredients in the local cuisine. Among the renown dishes you can find caldeirada, caruru, manicoba and duck in tucupi sauce.


Visa
All travelers coming from abroad require a visa to enter Brazil, unless they are citizens of certain countries that are exempt from that requirement. It is important that you check in anticipation if you need an entry visa. Information on this topic is available in the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.