Situated in the Northeast, with characteristics of the Northern region, Maranhão is an excellent choice for those who seek rest, sun and beaches.

Boasting the second longest coastline in Brazil, with almost unexplored seas, it has scenery which changes with the winds, resulting in unique and unusual scenes that surprise and delight even the most seasoned travellers.

Here you can find perennial crystal-clear lagoons, a desert of dunes by the sea, rivers and waterfalls, untouched Amazonian beaches, swampy fields, forests and mangroves, national parks, and the only open sea delta in the Americas.

São Luís and the surrounding area

São Luís capital is located on an island, surrounded by a varied topography that includes beaches, cliffs and hills. The most well-known of the stunningly beautiful beaches are Ponta D’Areia, São Marcos, Araçagy, Olho D’água and Calhau.

Praia da Ponta D’Areia: Located in the north of the island and the closest to the centre of São Luís, this is the most popular beach in the city. It has the best road access but, despite its extreme beauty, is not suitable for swimming. A range of bars, restaurants and hotels can be found along the beachfront.

Praia de São Marcos: The busiest sunset location of São Luís, this beach is just 7 kilometres from the city centre. Named after the São Marcos Fort, whose 18th century ruins can be found here, and known for the Praia de Marcela, it hosts the state government’s summer home. A kid’s favourite, the beach is also the ideal place for practising surfing. The abundance of bars on its beachfront means that night-time leisure options are popular and busy.

Olho d’Água: Despite its unique rustic look, with cliffs and dunes reaching up to 10 metres, Olho d’Agua is urbanised, filled with kiosks playing reggae music, and has good tourist infrastructure. It’s also only 10 kilometres from the centre of São Luís. Between July and December, it’s a very popular venue for those who enjoy sailing and wind-dependent water sports, due to the strong winds. It’s even possible to spot cars powered by sails here; they’re called wind cars or carrovelismo.

Praia do Calhau: Considered to be one of the prettiest beaches of the capital, and characterised by its dunes and thick undergrowth, this beach is frequented by runners and cyclists, as well as swimmers who appreciate its calm waters. The restaurants on stilts and personalised kiosks provide a charming beachfront vista.

Praia do Araçagy: Located in the municipality of São José de Ribamar, some 19 kilometres from the centre, visitors can park their cars right on the beach. As a result, they have exclusive access to kiosks serving typical food, as each kiosk serves only one vehicle. The beach boasts vast stretches of sand and high dunes, and a beautiful, attention-grabbing lighthouse that provides guidance and navigation.

Praia da Raposa: Some 30 kilometres from the city centre, in the municipality of Raposa, the best parts of this beach are the boat ride and the opportunities to swim in the lagoons formed between the white sand dunes. Raposa is where the main fishing colony of the region resides, where men fish while women make delicate handicrafts with bobbin lace. It’s not considered an excellent place to swim, as the fishing industry results in much debris in the water.

Praia de Pucal ou Cocal: Thanks to being difficult to access, and, therefore, often deserted, this beach is its own little paradise, located a little before Praia da Raposa.

Praia de Alcântara: Perfect for boat rides in the Amazonian streams, the Ilha do Livramento is considered the prettiest beach in Alcântara. From here it’s possible to watch the flight of the scarlet ibis, birds with red plumage that are found frequently in the region.