A state divided between blue and red. This is how the Parintins Festival begins.
The largest open-air opera spectacle in Latin America and the biggest folklore event in the world, featuring a mix of costumes, joy, and the culture of the 
Northern region of Brazil.
For three days, the blue Caprichoso ox and the red Garantido ox compete at the Bumbódromo, the stadium where the event takes place. Indigenous rituals, legends, and customs of the riverside population unite with the concept of environmental preservation to present a grand spectacle full of performances and colors.
Narrating a story in the form of toadas, a type of song with rhymes, the oxen fill the 21 criteria of the presentation in search of the highest score. The audience is also evaluated and must cheer for their ox while remaining completely silent during the presentation of the opposing ox.
Bumba Meu Boi is a dance from Brazilian folklore, registered by the National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (Iphan) as a cultural heritage of the country. It is a typical festival that depicts the legend of the death and resurrection of an ox, mixing human and animal characters. Throughout the North and Northeast, it is revered and incorporates various themes, forms, rhythms, instruments, and names.
Characteristic of Maranhão, Bumba Meu Boi arrived in the state of Amazonas under the nickname “Boi-Bumbá”. It is at the Parintins Folklore Festival that it is known to tourists every year. The event, held since 1965 in the Amazon municipality of the same name, takes place on the last weekend of June. There are three nights of open-air performances, 
with the highlight of the spectacle being the competition between the allegorical Boi Garantido (red) and Boi Caprichoso (blue). The genre that accompanies the festival is the toada.
At the Bumbódromo, as the location of the traditional parade is called, Garantido and Caprichoso immerse themselves in the legends, customs of the riverside people, and indigenous rituals to promote local culture. Since 1968, they have engaged in fierce competition with alternating titles for each side and two ties. Over the years, the Parintins Folklore Festival has gained wider media coverage, even being broadcast on television.
Parintins is a municipality located near Manaus and borders the 
state of Pará in the Amazon region. It is the second most populous city in Amazonas. In 2015, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) estimated that the local population was around 112,000 inhabitants. In addition to air transport, residents use waterways to get there.
Parintins Cathedral
The Parintins Cathedral, in the State of Amazonas, was inaugurated in 1981 after a long fundraising campaign for its construction. This campaign gave life to the second largest folklore festival in Brazil, the Parintins Folklore Festival, held for the first time in 1966 to raise funds for the construction.
The Cathedral honors Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the patroness of the city, making the church very beloved by the Catholic faithful of Parintins. Its facade is entirely covered in tiles and features a 42m tall tower, where the image of Our Lady watches over the city and the Amazon River.
Inside, the image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel draws attention over the beautiful marble altar, in front of the stained glass, both brought from Italy. The collection of paintings by Brother Miguel de Pascale is very rich. You can admire various images throughout the church depicting saints, evangelists, parables, Brazilian sanctuaries, and biblical passages.
Tip: Climb the tower for a beautiful panoramic view of Parintins.
Cantagalo Sports & Leisure Complex
The Cantagalo Sports and Leisure Complex, also known as Balneário Cantagalo, is located in the Aninga community in Parintins and is a great option for outings with family and friends.
The simple and cozy location is the only resort on the Island. There, you are surrounded by nature and can enjoy the refreshing waters of the river to swim and relax with the scenery.
Covering an area of almost 10,000 m², Balneário Cantagalo offers wooden pier structures, bars with snacks and drinks, showers, public restrooms, three sand courts for soccer and volleyball, a stage for shows, and a grove for camping.
During the Parintins Folklore Festival in June, the space hosts toada shows (songs whose lyrics exalt a specific theme) from the 
Caprichoso and Garantido oxen (symbols of the Festival), attracting numerous visitors seeking to relax in a beautiful natural setting.
Port Walkway
Strolling along the Port Walkway is a delightful experience that brings you closer to the people and culture of Parintins. The waterfront is urbanized and concentrates most of the local bars and restaurants.
At the Walkway, you can enjoy a cold drink, such as juice from native fruits, or explore the local cuisine, which features dishes like bodó in tucupi (the most popular local fish cooked in a broth extracted from the cassava root), caldeirada (a fish stew), piracuí fritters (a type of fish flour), and tacacá (a soup with tucupi, dried shrimp, cassava gum, and jambu leaves).
From the Walkway, you can also admire the beautiful sunset in Parintins and feel the gentle breeze coming from the Amazon River. Besides the natural beauty 
of the place, it is also a meeting point for good conversations. Take the opportunity to meet the friendly locals.
During the Parintins Folklore Festival, the area becomes even more lively and turns into a stage for shows with lots of music and attractions from Northern Brazil.
Enjoy the sunset in Parintins along the banks of the Amazon River.
Parintins Municipal Market
The Municipal Market is a must-visit attraction for anyone visiting Parintins. Built in the 19th century along the banks of the Amazon River, the place has a unique simplicity that represents the local culture well.
Here, you can find stalls selling fruits and vegetables, natural herbs used in the treatment of diseases, as well as traditional crafts (like miniature oxen) and indigenous items made from tree roots and natural materials (like seed necklaces).
The Market is a perfect place to indulge in traditional delicacies and sample the abundant regional coffee, a great choice for tasting Amazonian flavors. There are more than ten kiosks where you can enjoy bolinho de crueira (made with crumbled cassava dough) and tapiocas filled with fried banana, cheese, and tucumã (fruit from an Amazonian palm tree).
Don’t forget to try the simple and tasty x-caboquinho, a French bread sandwich with tucumã and cheese, typical of cities in the Northern region of Brazil. Try the traditional tucumã tapioca.
Serra da Valéria
On the border between the states of Amazonas and Pará, in the highest region of Parintins, lies the charming Serra da Valéria. Facing the Amazon River and within the Valéria lake, the Serra is 15 km by boat from Parintins and is a small formation about 152m high, surrounded by lush vegetation.
The Serra da Valéria became world-famous due to the presence of local indigenous archaeological remains, which appeared due to erosion. Some artifacts are exposed outdoors, while others can be seen in a small and simple museum built on site.
The local community is friendly and welcoming. Even without understanding other languages, they communicate with visitors through gestures and smiles. Here you will also find a large number of artisans and potters who produce crafts from wood and native plant seeds. They make miniatures of boats and canoes, as well as paintings and jewelry.
A trip that promises beautiful memories.