Tucuruí can be explored through a range of themes: its historic heritage sites include the Igreja de São José (Matriz) and the Maria Fumaça train; the Parque Ecológico Sebastião Camargo brings together nature conservation and environmental education, with trails and a railway museum. The landscape of the artificial lake is another highlight. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose to focus on cultural history, nature or the waterside landscape. When looking for a vacation rental, it helps to decide on your preferred focus first, then consider your travel arrangements and any date restrictions.
Heritage and Railway History
The history of the Estrada de Ferro Tocantins tells a distinct part of the town’s story. Built in 1944, the railway was intended to facilitate river transport between Tucuruí and Marabá. Its route was 120 kilometers long and connected Tucuruí with the town of Jatobal. The railway was decommissioned in 1973 and subsequently flooded by the Tucuruí Hydroelectric Complex. Marabá and Jatobal represent different connections: the railway was intended to facilitate river transport between Tucuruí and Marabá, while the railway itself ran as far as Jatobal. This distinction separates the railway’s purpose from its actual route.
Park and Nature
The Parque Ecológico Sebastião Camargo is located between the urban area of Tucuruí and the UHE Tucuruí facilities. Its purpose centers on nature conservation and environmental education. Its features include trails, bridges over Igarapés with rapids, and a diverse birdlife. Together, the trails, waterways and birds offer different ways to experience nature. The park also includes a museum about the Estrada de Ferro Tocantins: the museum building and a locomotive bring the railway’s history to life. Nature and railway heritage sit side by side in the park, but tell different stories: trails and birdlife on one hand, railway history in the museum on the other.
The Centro de Pesquisas Ambientais (CPA) in Tucuruí houses preserved specimens of various wild species from the Amazon region. The collection serves an educational and tourist function. Its focus differs from the park’s birdlife: the CPA centers on preserved specimens of various species, while the Parque Ecológico Sebastião Camargo also features trails, Igarapés and diverse birdlife. These offer different perspectives on nature, with the collection and the park landscape each having their own emphasis.
Lake, Protected Area and Fishing
The artificial lake of Tucuruí covers 2,430 km² and includes 1,600 islands. Tucuruí is part of the Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) do Lago de Tucuruí, a protected area for sustainable use. Recreational activities in the APA include fishing tourism and sport fishing. Competitive fishing is subject to strict rules, including catch-and-release and the use of barbless hooks. These requirements apply to competitive fishing; bear them in mind when planning this kind of activity. The lake landscape, protected area and fishing opportunities make up a distinct focus alongside the historic sites and the Parque Ecológico.
Getting There and Planning Your Visit
As a guide, the journey from Belém to Tucuruí is about 450 kilometers and takes around eight hours by intercity bus. Before traveling, check the current route, schedule and journey time. Access to the interior of the UHE Tucuruí dam area is accompanied by Eletronorte employees or representatives. External visitors can access it only on Wednesdays, by making an appointment, subject to limited availability. If this visit is important to your plans, arrange an appointment in advance.
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Go to the main travel overview: Pará.
