Contrasts rule the day in the Amazonian port town of Santarem. Whether it is the vibrant night life compared to the quiet pace of the day, or the riot of colors in the local market compared to the uniform - but oh, so luscious - emerald green of the surrounding rain forests, you may feel like you have entered a land with two complementary, but split, personalities. When you book travel with Carefree Travel and Cruises, you are guaranteed a look into this historically rich and immensely active Brazilian city.

Early life here was much simpler. Recent finds discovered pottery made by native tribes that dates back 10,000 years. The Amazon region was home to a very large population of Indians then, with settlements in the form of longhouses stretching up and down the world's second longest river.

But it was the Tapajos Indians who lived near Santarem, and 2,000 years ago they had a cultural renaissance that encompassed many aspects of their life and art. Some of the intricate pottery that they designed can be viewed while in Santarem, but more on that later.

Top Attractions and Activities

Santarem, a city of just over 130,000 people, boasts a number of attractions that highlight the distinct nature of this region, and its inherent contrasts. The first thing that you will be drawn to while on a cruise is the lovely Encontro da Aguas, or meeting of waters, that occurs some 20 miles from the city. In this case, the Tapajos River is joining up with the might blue Amazon, with some interesting results.

Because of the difference in density between the two rivers, the earthy, muddy brown of the deep azure of the Tapajos do not instantly mix. In fact, the two rivers run side by side for miles, with the lovely juxtaposition of sensual brown and sapphire blue almost representing the contrasts that run deep in this central Amazonian city.

Another highlight of the city is the Centro Cultural Joao Foua, on the Praca Santarem, which includes some of the most intricate pottery work of the region, much of it made from the very mud that makes the Amazon so brown.

And for those planning to travel between June and September, Santarem offers up another surprise: clean and lovely beaches. Just minutes from the town on the Muracan bus, clean beaches wait for both cruise-going and local swimmers. And for those looking for a real treat, a short boat ride reveals the nearly untouched beauty of the Alter do Chao, a pristine beach that will leave you with sensual memories of the deep blue Tapajos, and the muddy brown of the most powerful river in the world.

But don't take our word for it. By booking your travel with Carefree Travel and Cruises, you can step into this Brazilian dream yourself.