|
Sao Luis - Brazil |
|
Destinations |
 |
 |
 |
|
Stunningly beautiful beaches, a very
lively Carnival and the largest architectonic complex of Portuguese
origin in Brazil; São Luís in Maranhão is all that and a little
more.
Although founded by the French, the capital of Maranhão shows little
evidence of that except for the names of a few streets and monuments
– such as the beautiful La Ravardière Palace, and a refined touch in
its local cuisine. The main features of the city were inherited from
the Portuguese: the incredible row of tiled houses and the countless
surnames of Portuguese origin, among other influences.
In 1997, São Luís was awarded the title of Cultural Heritage of
Humanity by UNESCO in recognition for the preservation of its
magnificent and homogenous Latin American colonial architectonic
complex from the 18th and 19th Centuries. There are more than 3,500
buildings of incomparable historic and artistic value that portray
the way of life of the city”s ancient well-to-do families.
São Luís is bathed by the warm waters of the São Marcos Bay and the
Atlantic Ocean, and permanently heated by the sun.
-
Basic information
-
Climate
It is hot all year round, with average temperatures ranging from
26°C to 28°C.
-
-
Events
-
Bumba-meu-boi
In June, the famous June festivities take place in São Luís,
celebrating the bumba-meu-boi. This folklore manifestation of
Iberian tradition is performed by groups in costumes which tell
the story of the “Bull” through music and dance and theatre. The
festivities are held from June 13 to 30.
-
-
City facts
-
São Luís
State: Maranhão
Region: Northeast
Population: 870,028 inhabitants
Area Code: (98)
Distances
Belém: 800 km
Fortaleza: 1,070 km
Recife: 1,600 km
Brasília: 2,160 km
Rio de Janeiro: 3,060 km
-
-
Accommodation / Restaurants
-
Hotels of different categories
of comfort integrate lodging options in São Luís. Most of them
are along the beachfront.
To eat well is another excellent option in São Luís, where it is
possible to try everything the exotic Maranhão gastronomy has to
offer. Fish and other seafood are the staples of the local
dishes. Prepared in large kettles, and in the form of stews and
pies, the fish -- such as the snook and the yellow cod -- are
generally served with cuxá, a dish made of dried shrimp, cassava
flour, toasted sesame seeds and forkleaf hibiscus -- a slightly
sour herb. The cuxá can also be served with rice according to a
traditional rice with cuxá recipe, which does not use cassava
flour. The delicious desserts are made with creams made from
regional fruits, such as cupuaçu and bacuri.
-
How to get there
-
By Air: airlines
maintain daily flights to the Cunha Machado Airport in São Luis,
departing from the main cities of the country.
By Highway: the main access is by way of the BR 135.
Main highways:
From Belém: BR-316/BR-135
From Fortaleza: BR-222/BR-343/BR-316
-
-
Services
-
Marechal Cunha Machado Airport
Phone: +55 (98) 217-6101
Coach Station
Phone: +55 (98) 249-2488
Bank Branches
The city has branches of all the main banks. Most establishments
accept credit cards.
-
-
Attractions
-
Historical Centre
The São Luis architectonic complex consists of more than 3.5
thousand buildings, most dating back to the 18th and 19th
Centuries. The townhouses which line the narrow streets in the
town centre and on Praia Grande exhibit various colours and
shapes of ornamental Portuguese tiles on their façades. Because
they reflect the sun and waterproof the walls, these tiles have
helped preserve the buildings. Approximately one thousand of
these historical constructions have been restored.
The buildings most deserving of attention include the Arthur
Azevedo Theatre, dating back to 1817, in neo-Classic style, and
the Granary House, dating back to 1820, where a centre for
selling local products now functions. The Palace of the Lions
was originally a fortress erected by the French, and was later
transformed into a palace by the Portuguese. The ancient slave
market operated out of a colonial style townhouse dating back to
the 19th Century, called the Den of Mercy.
Another interesting place to visit in the historical centre is
the Centre for Popular Culture, installed in a large house
dating back to the 19th Century. Among the items in its
collection are objects and costumes that refer to folklore and
popular manifestations, such as the Power of the Drum and
Carnival. And, of course, there is the Mother Church of the Sea,
which was built in the 17th Century and whose renovators
conferred to it a neo-Classic style. Its high altar is made of
gold.
Bumba-meu-boi and other festivities
For those who cannot do without a party, June is by far the
liveliest month in the capital. It is time for square dancing
and bumba-meu-boi, of the creole drum and rural festivities. It
is the time for the parties in honour of Saint Anthony, Saint
John, Saint Peter and Saint Marçal.
Maranhão also boasts the richness of the Power of the Drum, the
Dance of Saint Gonçalo, the Party of the Dogs and Carnival.
When the New Year celebrations along the seashore, with its
shows, fireworks and flowers for Iemanjá -- the goddess of the
sea -- ends the Carnival bands begin to parade through the
streets.
Besides these manifestations of popular culture, São Luís also
dances and swings to the rhythm of root reggae. The Jamaican
rhythm reached the island over short-wave radio from the
Caribbean and is thoroughly enjoyed by the people in Maranhão.
Beaches
São Luis has many beaches along its 32 km of coastline. The
busiest is Ponta d”Areia, where the hotels and restaurants are
concentrated. The São Marcos beach has excellent waves for
surfing and it preserves the ruins of the São Marcos Fort dating
back to the 18th Century. The Calhau Beach has yellow sand dunes
and is followed by the Coastal Highway. During the months of
July to December, the strong winds at the Olho d”Água beach are
perfect for sailing sports. The Praia da Guia lies west of São
Luis and is the only one from which the city”s large houses can
be seen.
Business tourism
The city”s infrastructure offers every condition for developing
businesses, even those geared to exports. It has two large ports
(one of them is the 2nd. largest in the world), abundant
electric power, railroads, highways, large open urban and
suburban areas that are viable for the construction of
buildings, tax incentives and other attractive factors.
The service network is ample and it attends to the most diverse
needs of its inhabitants and visitors. The city has four large
shopping malls (and other smaller ones), a good number of
hotels, from pleasant inns to renowned establishments and
restaurants of the most varied cuisines. It will soon also have
a modern and ample convention centre.
Shopping
Arts and crafts and sweets
At the Granary House and the Arts and Crafts Centre, typical
Maranhão arts and crafts can be purchased: towels, hammocks and
rugs produced from natural fibres, several types of lace and
ceramic objects.
Guaraná Jesus
The pharmacist, Jesus Norberto Gomes created this drink in 1920
(in his own backyard, to please his grandchildren). The drink is
a tremendous success in the entire state. It is pink, with a
cinnamon aroma and very sweet. Its formula is secret and it has
been carefully preserved by the inventor”s family. Legend has it
that there are 17 ingredients, including some herbs from the
Amazon. The unique colour supposedly comes from extracts from
tree bark. The slogan for Guaraná Jesus has been the same for
decades: “the pink dream”.
|
|
