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Lencois Maranhenses and the colonial ports image

São Luis is the capital of Maranhao state and the heart of the city is on an island connected by bridges to the mainland. Founded by the French and also owned for short times by the Dutch and Portugeuse, European influences are everywhere. As an old slaving port, much of the African culture remains. The lovely colonial centre is being restored with the help of UNESCO and the city comes alive in the evenings, particularly at the weekends.

A few hours' drive east of São Luis lie the stunning dunes of the Lençois Maranhenses - 155,000 hectares of white sand which are full of fresh water lagoons from March to October.

Our preferred accommodation

  • Casa de Santo Antonio image

    Casa de Santo Antonio

    City hotel - Parnaíba
    A lovely hotel in the centre of Parnaíba. There is a restaurant which serves a delicious set menu of the day each evening and breakfast in the mornings. The is a large pool, spa and nice communal lounge area.
  • Hotel Luzeiros São Luís image

    Hotel Luzeiros São Luís

    Beach hotel - São Luís
    A modern high rise business style hotel overlooking Ponta do Farol Beach in São Luís. The hotel is very comfortable and has an outdoor pool, gym, restaurant and bar. The old colonial town centre is a 15 minutes drive away.
  • Porto Preguiças Resort image

    Porto Preguiças Resort

    Country hotel - Barreirinhas
    A charming property just outside Barreirinhas, a small village near to the dunes of the Lençois Maranhenses. There is a large pool (with a sandy bottom!), hammock area, games room, a bar and good restaurant.
  • Pousada Portas da Amazonia image

    Pousada Portas da Amazonia

    City hotel - São Luis
    A charming small pousada in the historic centre on a pedestrianised cobbled street, converted from a colonial house. There is a good breakfast, and a variety of local restaurants are a short walk away for other meals.
  • Pousada Porto Buriti image

    Pousada Porto Buriti

    Beach hotel - Caburé
    A simple pousada in the isolated fishing village of Caburé, on a narrow spit of sand between the Atlantic ocean and Preguiças river. There is a restaurant and a small plastic pool, otherwise swimming is in the river on one side and the ocean on the other.

All hotels in Lencois Maranhenses and the colonial ports →

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