Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses
Maranhão
Maranhão's premier attraction, this 1550-sq-km national park encompasses expanses of white sand dunes that run along the coastline for more than 70km and…
Must-see attractions in Maranhão
Parque Nacional da Chapada das Mesas
Maranhão
One of Brazil's newest national parks, Parque Nacional da Chapada das Mesas is renowned for its dramatic flat-topped rocky bluffs (the mesas, or tables,…
Maranhão
Near the small town of Riachão, this complex boasts two of the most impressive attractions in the region on one property. Poço Azul is a translucent blue…
São Luís
Set in the former customs house built right on the river mouth, this informative and colorful museum is dedicated to Maranhense culture and features a…
São Luís
At the eclectic and fascinating Casa do Nhôzinho, you can see a collection of ingenious fish traps, rooms featuring Maranhão indigenous artisanry, and…
Maranhão
The heart of the colonial settlement, this spacious hilltop plaza contains the best-preserved pelourinho (whipping post) in Brazil and the evocative shell…
São Luís
A small, bright museum covering the history of reggae music in Maranhão. In addition to displays dedicated to the local artists and promoters who bought…
Maranhão
Set over two floors, this interesting museum is set in an old colonial house that was first inhabited by nobility and later by traders. It includes many…
São Luís
The Palácio dos Leões is the state governor’s palace, built in the 18th century on the site of the original French fort. It still houses state government…
Centro de Cultura Popular Domingos Vieira Filho
São Luís
An impressive 19th-century mansion housing four fascinating floors of exhibits on São Luís’ festivals – Carnaval, Bumba Meu Boi and Divino Espírito Santo …
São Luís
This 19th-century market building now trades in an interesting variety of typical Maranhão crafts and foods, from dried prawns and Brazil nuts to an…
São Luís
This hip new cultural center in a stylishly renovated colonial mansion in the heart of the historical center features rotating exhibitions of high-quality…
São Luís
In this building that once housed a slave market (notice the absence of windows), the Museu do Negro exhibits relics of slavery, including a replica…
Museu Histórico e Artístico do Estado de Maranhão
São Luís
In a restored 1836 mansion, the Museu Histórico e Artístico is set out as it might have been in days of yore, displaying all the furnishings, valuables…
São Luís
São Luís's grand neoclassical theater was constructed in 1817 by two homesick Portuguese merchants who missed the dramatic spectacles of Lisbon. It's the…
Centro de Pesquisa de História Natural e Arqueologia do Maranhão
São Luís
Contains interesting exhibits of artifacts – from ancient ax heads to contemporary feather adornments – from Maranhão's indigenous cultures past and…
Maranhão
This pretty two-towered church was built in 1665 and has been recently restored. Inside there is an elaborate gold altar, while beside it there is a…
Maranhão
This impressive mansion on the corner of the plaza has been converted into a museum. On the ground floor are relics from when the building was a chemist's…
Maranhão
This old house is the main center of activities during Alcântara's famous Festa do Divino Espírito Santo – at other times it serves as a museum covering…
São Luís
There’s a fine collection of old azulejos (decorative ceramic tiles), engravings, sculptures and paintings at the Visual Arts Museum, which has been…
Maranhão
One of two blue swimming holes in the area, Encanto Azul is surrounded by rock walls at the base of a canyon. It's best visited early when the light…
São Luís
São Luís' 17th-century cathedral looks along Av Dom Pedro II from its top end. Inside are ceiling frescoes decorated with babaçu (palm) motifs and a fine…
São Luís
The Palácio de la Ravardière dates back to 1689 and is now the Prefeitura (City Hall). A bust of São Luís’ French founder, Daniel de la Touche, stands…
