Area Code The area code for Belém is 091.
Banks & Currency Exchange Banco do Brasil, Av. Presidente Vargas 248, Comércio (tel. 021/2223-2537). Open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm. 24-hour ATM on-site. Turvicam on Praça da República, Av. Presidente Vargas 640, loja 3 (tel. 091/9609-5539), changes cash and traveler's checks. Open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 8am to 1pm.
Car Rentals Avis is at the airport (tel. 091/3257-2257) and Hotel Hilton (tel. 091/3225-1699). Also at the airport is Localiza (tel. 091/3257-1541).
Consulates Great Britain (Honorary), Av. Governador Magalhães Barata 651, Room 610 (tel. 091/4009-0050).
Dentist Cliniodonto, Travessa Padre Eutiqiuio 1971 (tel. 091/3225-0413).
Emergencies Police tel. 190; fire and ambulance tel. 192.
Hospital Hospital Ofir Loyola, Av. Governador Magalhães Barata 992, Nazaré (tel. 091/3249-9429).
Internet Access TVTron Business Center, in the basement of the Hotel Hilton on Praça da República (tel. 091/3225-0028). Open Monday to Friday 7:30am to 10:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 7:30am to 6:30pm; R$10 per hour.
Pharmacies Farmacia Big Ben, Av. Serzedelo Correa 15, near Praça da República (tel. 091/3283-4145), open Monday to Friday 8am to 10pm and Saturday 8am to 4pm. Big Ben also has an order-by-phone service (tel. 091/3241-3000) that is open 24/7.
Safety Pickpockets and purse snatchers are common in the Ver-o-Peso Market. They're especially fond of the two-man distract-and-snatch technique, so keep your wits about you and your bag or purse in front of you. Avoid the Old City completely on Sundays, and on weekdays after dark stick to main streets and squares (the Praça da República, Av. Pres. Vargas, and the Estação das Docas are well lit and policed in the evening).
Taxes Hotels add a 10% accommodations tax directly to your bill. There are no other taxes on retail items or goods.
Time Zones Belém is 3 hours behind GMT, the same as Rio.
Visa Renewal Go to the Policia Federal, Travessa Mariz Barros, Marco (tel. 091/3246-1800), open Monday to Friday 8 to 11:30am and 2 to 5:30pm. The fee is R$67, and you may need to show a return ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.
Weather Belém has two seasons: hot, humid, and rainy from December to May, and hot, humid, and less rainy from June to November. The daytime maximum temperature usually reaches 33°C (92°F) or slightly higher, and relative humidity is always above 90%. Rain comes in the form of short violent thundershowers, usually in the afternoon.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
