São Luís (Maranhão)

An island capital founded by the French, with a World Heritage old town clad in Portuguese azulejos, the "Reggae Capital of Brazil" and Bumba Meu Boi folk traditions; the ruins of Alcântara are a boat ride away.

São Luís is the capital of Maranhão State in northeastern Brazil, located on São Luís Island on the Atlantic coast. It was founded by the French in 1612 (the only Brazilian state capital founded by the French), briefly occupied by the Dutch, and ultimately became a Portuguese colonial city. Cotton and sugar trade brought prosperity in the 18th and 19th centuries, leaving behind swathes of mansions covered in Portuguese azulejo tiles, and the historic center was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The city is also the "Reggae Capital of Brazil" and a center of Afro-Brazilian folk traditions such as Bumba Meu Boi and Tambor de Crioula. The climate is hot and humid: January–May is the rainy season, June–December the dry season and the best time to visit, and the Bumba Meu Boi festivities of the June Festivals are the liveliest time of year. What to do: one or two days in the old town (the tiled streets of Praia Grande, the Palácio dos Leões, the cathedral, the various folk and reggae museums, the Feira da Praia Grande market and the theater); half a day at the beaches (Ponta d'Areia, Calhau, and sunset at Araçagi); and a day trip by boat to the ruined colonial town of Alcântara, or to the fishing village of Raposa or São José de Ribamar. Getting there: the airport has flights to Brasília, São Paulo, Fortaleza and elsewhere; the old town is best explored on foot, with taxis or ride-hailing apps between sights. Plan on 2–3 days; the city is often used as a gateway to the Lençóis Maranhenses (Barreirinhas, about 4 hours by car). Be careful in the old town at night; the tidal range is large, so check the tide tables before beach activities.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries