The Sacaca Museum is one of the most fascinating cultural and tourist sites in northern Brazil. Located in the capital of Amapá, Macapá, this open-air museum transcends the traditional concept of exhibition by integrating nature, science, culture, and experience into one place. Walking through its 21,000 square meters is a true immersion in the Amazonian world, with trails, typical constructions, and ancestral knowledge.
The museum is named in honor of Raimundo dos Santos Souza, known as “Sacaca,” a traditional herbalist from Amapá who mastered the uses of medicinal plants. The museum pays tribute to this legacy by offering an interactive experience that blends scientific and popular knowledge, attracting both locals and tourists from Brazil and abroad.
History and Origins
The Sacaca Museum was inaugurated in 1997 by the Institute of Scientific and Technological Research of the State of Amapá (IEPA). Its creation resulted from the merging of museum collections and archives that were previously dispersed across other institutions, such as the Museum of Zoology and the Amapá Herbarium.
With an innovative proposal for a living museum, Sacaca began to integrate popular culture, science, and the environment into a space for coexistence and learning. Its educational approach focuses on interactivity and the appreciation of traditional Amazonian peoples.
Location and Physical Structure
The museum is located on Avenida Feliciano Coelho, in the Trem neighborhood, covering an area of 21,000 m². The land was carefully planned to preserve native vegetation and house structures representing various Amazonian ways of living.
Unlike conventional museums, Sacaca features tree-lined trails, lakes, traditional houses, a regatão boat, and areas for fixed and temporary exhibitions. All of this is distributed in a natural environment that provides a sense of immersion and belonging.
Open-Air Circuit
The main attraction of the Sacaca Museum is its open-air visitation circuit, with realistic representations of Amazonian spaces:
- Caboclo House: recreates a typical riverside home with everyday utensils.
- Palikur and Waiãpi Houses: represent indigenous villages with rich cultural and architectural details.
- Cassava Flour House: showcases the production process of manioc flour.
- Phytotherapy House: displays medicinal plants and explains their therapeutic uses.
- Regatão Boat: a traditional boat that provided health services and products to remote communities.
- Archaeological Sites: presents replicas of ancient civilization remains from the region.
Exhibitions and Collections
The Sacaca Museum’s collection includes items in the following areas:
- Zoology: taxidermied species with scientific information.
- Botany: cataloged regional plants, including medicinal and ornamental ones.
- Ethnography: cultural objects from indigenous and riverside peoples.
- Archaeology: artifacts and replicas of ancient ceramics.
- Naturopathic Products: soaps, ointments, oils, and repellents made from local biodiversity.
The exhibitions combine audiovisual, textual, and tactile resources, making the experience accessible and engaging for all ages.
Experiences and Trails
One of the highlights of the visit is the guided tour along the trails, which pass over small wooden bridges, waterways, and areas of native forest. The sounds of nature and direct contact with the environment create an atmosphere of enchantment.
The regatão boat is one of the most popular attractions. Visitors board the boat and learn how health care services were provided to riverside communities in the 1960s.
Another highlight is the “Humpback Bear,” an interactive sculpture representing marine fauna and prompting reflection on the relationship between the Amazon and the ocean.
Educational Projects
The Sacaca Museum has a strong educational focus and promotes several activities:
- Living Museum: interaction with real characters who represent popular knowledge.
- Little Culture Spot: a project for children with stories, games, and theater.
- Science Workshops: simple and interactive experiments about biodiversity.
- Discussion Circles: on oral history, ethnobotany, and traditional knowledge.
These activities make the museum a dynamic space where learning is natural and enjoyable.
Events and Tourist Environment
The museum also hosts themed events, such as:
- Museum Anniversary (with parties, special exhibitions, and traditional food).
- Screenings of environmental videos and documentaries.
- Musical performances with regional music.
- Traditional knowledge meetings and cultural fairs.
The environment is family-friendly, peaceful, and safe. There is a snack bar with regional options, accessible restrooms, and rest areas.
Social Impact and Sustainability
Sacaca goes beyond simple visitation. It is a center for education and reflection that promotes:
- Appreciation of traditional knowledge and its connection with science.
- Environmental education focused on sustainability.
- Social inclusion through projects with schools and communities.
- Universal accessibility, with ramps, Braille signage, and audiovisual materials with sign language.
These practices align with Google AdSense’s responsible content guidelines.
Visitor Testimonials
“A living lesson about the Amazon. I was moved by the regatão boat and the indigenous houses.” — Marcela R., tourist from Rio de Janeiro.
“Excellent tour for kids and adults. Safe, educational, and charming environment.” — Sandro T., science teacher.
“I keep coming back. Sacaca is a place that teaches us with simplicity and depth.” — Dona Lúcia, Macapá resident.
One-Day Itinerary at Sacaca Museum
- 8 AM: Arrival, guided tour through the open-air circuit.
- 9:30 AM: Interaction at the Phytotherapy House.
- 10:15 AM: Trails and vegetation exploration.
- 11 AM: Snack break with taperebá juice and cassava cake.
- 12 PM: Living Museum presentation.
- 1 PM: Science workshop for children.
- 2:30 PM: Visit to the regatão boat and Palikur House.
- 4 PM: Closing with a cultural performance and souvenir shop visit.
Practical Tips for Tourists
- Location: Av. Feliciano Coelho, Trem neighborhood, Macapá.
- Admission: Free.
- Hours: Tue to Sun, 9 AM to 5 PM.
- Transport: Bus lines (214, 600) and ride-hailing apps.
- Safety: Monitored location, ideal for family visits.
- Accessibility: Facilities adapted for people with disabilities.
- Snack bar and souvenir shop: Offering regional options.
Inspiring Conclusion
The Sacaca Museum is a living window into the Amazon. Its value lies not only in the information it provides but in the way it engages, moves, and connects people with a region of rare natural and cultural richness.
For anyone visiting Macapá, including Sacaca in the itinerary guarantees a transformative, educational, and deeply human experience.
