São Luis is the capital of the state of Maranhão in the tropical north-east of Brazil, located on an island off the Atlantic coast that bears the same name. It was founded in 1612 by Daniel de la Touche de la Ravardihre, a French naval officer, and named in honor of Louis XIII and was taken by the Dutch beween 1641 and 1644. However, it is the Portuguese influence that is most visible in São Luis. The many huge mansions have the façade covered with tiles, as a recollection of the architecture of Century XVII and XIX. But history is not everything in São Luis. The island was privileged by nature and is surrounded by wonderful beaches. Adventurous visitors can take São Luis as a starting point to The National Park Lencois Maranhenses, the largest in the Northeast and considered as the only “desert” in the country. In the rainy season (from Dec-July it rains 300 times more than in the Sahara desert) the landscape undergoes a dramatic transformation, Lencois becomes a huge oasis with innumerable pools of crystaline waters that spread out over an area of 155000 hectares.
São Luis
Hotels in São Luis
-
Pousada Portas da Amazônia
A charming small pousada in the historic centre and on a pedestrianised cobbled street, converted from a colonial house and is close to many attractions of Sao Luis. In particular the district Praia Grande, with its beautifully ornate colonial buildings.
More details
About São Luis
Related Vacation Packages
-
Salvador
Discover the former colonial capital of Brazil, with its unique blend of history and African culture with a visit to Salvador. An unforgettable part of any trip to Brazil, explore the cobbled streets while the sounds of samba waft through the town
More details -
Route of Emotions 7 days/6 nights
Fantastic journey along the North East coast, visiting the Sand dunes with fresh water ponds of Lençois Maranheneses, the Paranaiba river delta and the Jericoacoara beaches.
More details
