Tourist Guide to the North-East and Brazil — Bahia, Salvador and More

Main tourist attractions in Maranhão

Maranhão is a Brazilian state rich in natural beauty, history and culture. Its tourist attractions are varied, from national parks with unique landscapes to historic cities and popular festivals.

Maranhão stands out for its combination of the ancient and the modern, such as São Luís do Maranhão and Alcântara, as well as its beautiful beaches, the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park and the Chapada das Mesas.

1. Lençóis Maranhenses

• Description: One of Brazil’s most famous destinations, known for its white sand dunes and freshwater lagoons that form during the rainy season.
• Lençóis Maranhenses.
• Activities: 4×4 tours, hiking through the dunes, swimming in the lagoons, boat trips on the Preguiças River.
• Access towns: Barreirinhas, Santo Amaro do Maranhão, Atins.

2. São Luís

• Description: The capital of Maranhão, known for its historic centre, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Activities: Visits to the Historic Centre, with its colonial mansions and Portuguese tiles, Palácio dos Leões, Catedral da Sé, Museu Histórico e Artístico do Maranhão.
• Culture and Festivals: São Luís is famous for its bumba-meu-boi and reggae music, with several concert halls and cultural events.

3. Alcântara

• Description: A historic town located about an hour by boat from São Luís, known for its ruins and colonial architecture.
• Activities: Stroll through the cobbled streets, visit the ruins of the Church of São Matias, Alcântara Historical Museum, traditional festivals such as the Festival of the Divine.

4. Chapada das Mesas

• Description: National Park located in the south of Maranhão, with rock formations, waterfalls and rivers.
• Activities: Trails, waterfall bathing, abseiling, boat trips on the Tocantins River.
• Access towns: Carolina, Riachão.

5. Parnaíba Delta

• Description: Delta in the open sea, one of the only ones in the Americas, located on the border between Maranhão and Piauí.
• Activities: Boat trips along the igarapés and islands, observation of fauna and flora, visits to deserted beaches.

6. Route of Emotions

• Description: A tourist route that takes in the Lençóis Maranhenses, the Parnaíba Delta and Jericoacoara in Ceará.
• Activities: A combination of ecotourism, adventure sports and cultural experiences.

7. Raposa

• Description: Small fishing town near São Luís, famous for the ‘Fronhas Maranhenses’, a smaller version of the Lençóis Maranhenses.
• Activities: Boat trips through the mangroves and dunes, visit to the bobbin lace artisan community.

8. Lençóis Maranhenses National Park

• Description: In addition to the Lençóis itself, the park includes areas of mangroves, sandbanks and deserted beaches.
• Activities: Trekking, bird watching, boat trips.

Practical Tips

• Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Lençóis Maranhenses is between June and September, when the lagoons are full. The climate is hot all year round, but there is a rainy season from January to June.
• Transport: To explore the Lençóis Maranhenses region, access is generally via São Luís, followed by a car or bus transfer to Barreirinhas. 4×4 vehicles are recommended to access the dunes.
• Accommodation: There are accommodation options to suit all tastes and budgets, from simple inns to more sophisticated hotels, especially in São Luís and Barreirinhas.
• Gastronomy: Maranhão’s cuisine is rich and varied, with typical dishes such as arroz de cuxá, torta de camarão, caranguejada and the delicious guaraná Jesus.

Final thoughts

Maranhão is a destination that offers a unique combination of natural beauty, history and culture. From the tranquillity and beauty of the dunes and lagoons of the Lençóis Maranhenses to the historical richness of São Luís and Alcântara, passing through the natural exuberance of the Chapada das Mesas, the state is an invitation to explore and be enchanted.