Santarém, Brazil

Piranha Fishing on Maica Lake

Fish for Brazil’s Infamous Carnivorous Piranhas Join this river cruise excursion and get a hands-on lesson in angling, Amazon-style. A local cruiser will take you upstream past the “wedding” of the Rio Tapajós and the Amazon. Maica Lake is festooned with small waterways. As we motor ahead, you will pass traditional wooden-stilt houses, whose friendly occupants may wave in greeting as you pass by. Keep your eyes peeled for pink Amazon river dolphins, water buffalo, a vast array of colorful birds, or even the odd iguana or two. But the creatures we seek are the razor-toothed piranhas. Arriving at Maica Lake, you will be given a pre-baited hand line and shown by seasoned locals how to toss your line. Gaze out across the river and wait with bated breath as you anticipate the tug on the end of your line, then reel in what you have caught. Please note that fishing will not be possible if the weather is inclement. * Moderate - Walking portions may be long and somewhat challenging with occasional step-ups, stairs and inclines. Total time walking or standing normally ranges from 1.5 to 3 hours.