Ipatinga Beach

The Ipatinga Beach one of the most beautiful beaches of Alcantara. These little beaches frequented by tourists because there is no better advertising of the beach town of Alcântara Maranhão.

Bay of São Marcos

Bay of São Marcos Bay is one of the Brazilian state of Maranhao.

The bay is an estuary approximately 100 km long. It receives several rivers including the Grajaú Mearim and Pindaré. The Mearim is known for its tidal bore.

It is essential for sea transport between the island of São Luís do Maranhão and west, and on its banks are major ports such as Port Itaqui, Ponta da Madeira and Cujupe.

Church of St. Matthias

Built before 1648 at the site where it had been a chapel built by the Indian Maretin and a church in honor of St. Bartholomew. At the turn of the century. The nineteenth century. XX was already in ruins and threatened to collapse. Part of the church would have been felled by order of Sousândrade writer who lived in a house in the square and had his view of pasaigem hampered by the tower.

Ecological Sanctuary Spa Fallen Stone or Stone Fallen

The Ecological Sanctuary Spa Fallen Stone or Stone Lying is one of the most important sights in southern Maranhão, which in 25 years, has gained national fame, attracting thousands of tourists from all over Brazil and even abroad, as part of documentaries and thousands of photographs that span the world. Its main attraction is the famous waterfall of the Fallen Stone.

The Fallen Stone has three major waterfalls fantastic, and the Shrine of the Fallen Stone Waterfall, the water falls down a height of 46 meters, in a beautiful natural pool. There is also a series of small jumps, canyons, trails and valleys. In the assembled structure of the Fallen Stone is a large pool of water, court for sports, chalets, permanent electricity, sound, television, bar and restaurant.

The Ecological Sanctuary Fallen Stone is located at Km 35 of BR-230, 35 miles away from Carolina in the beautiful region of Serra das Mesas, 60 miles away from the Strait, 180 km from Imperatriz, Maranhão, and 170 km from Araguaina, Tocantins.

National Park of Chapada das Mesas

The National Park of Chapada das Mesas protects 160,046 hectares of Cerrado in the municipalities of Carolina, Riachão, Strait and Empress, in south-central Maranhao.

According to the director of ecosystems IBAMA - Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, Valmir Ortega, the creation of the park is part of the efforts of environmental agencies of the Federal Government to increase the protected area in the Cerrado. Just over 2.5% of the region is protected in units of federal and state conservation. According to Ortega, the pressure to further deforestation driven by charcoal and open up new areas for agriculture is very strong. "It's a race against time to save the remaining large," he said.

The region that is now housed within the National Park is extremely rich in species of animals and plants, not to mention the high tourist potential due to the natural beauty of Chapada das Mesas. The Federal Government's plans include the creation of new protected areas in Maranhao, forming a "mosaic" with parks and state and federal and Indian lands. The creation of the park was discussed and evaluated since 2004, but gained momentum earlier this year with the completion of field studies have shown that the ecological, social, economic and cultural region.

Extreme Sports

* Cavalcade
* Off Road or off road
* Skydiving
* Mountain Bike
* Canyoning
* Trekking
* Paragliding
* Arborism or Canopy
* Rafting

Historic Center of St. Louis

The Historic Centre of Saint Louis comprises an area of ​​220 acre in Sao Luis, capital of Maranhao. Nearly 2,500 properties are listed by the state historic site, and 1000 by the National Trust. Part of this was declared a World Heritage site in 1997, for its Portuguese colonial architecture adapted to local climate.

Palace of the Lions, the seat of government of Maranhão

The main architectural feature of the historic center is the same concern about the climate, hot and humid. Among the solutions was the use of tiles on the facades of stucco waterproofing. Plants are "L" or "U" with large roofs and shutters.

The buildings are architectural houses, ranch houses and solar. The townhouses have up to four floors, the ground floor commercial shop floors and other residences. The manor houses, townhouses sumptuous, have many fine details, and ranch houses, finally, subject to various classifications (eg, full address: door with two windows on each side, half address: side door and two windows).

Among the buildings to be highlighted, are the Convent of Mercy, at the Granary House, the churches of the Rosary and the Exile, the Casa das Minas, the sources and the Stones, Arthur Azevedo Theatre and the Palace of the Lions (seat of state government).

The legend of the bumba-meu-boi

ON MY BOI BUMBA

The bumba-meu-boi is one of the richest manifestations of Brazilian folklore, or our culture, and prefer others.

It's kind of popular opera, whose content varies among the countless groups of Bumba-meu-boi existing but basically evolves around the legend of a cattle farmer who had to race, very beautiful, and beloved by all and that even knew how to dance.

Father worked on the farm Chico, Chico also called black, married Catirina, cowboys and Indians.
Catirina becomes pregnant and feels the urge to eat ox tongue. Father Chico is desperate. Afraid of losing their child Catirina waiting, if the desire is not met, decides to steal the ox from his boss to meet the wishes of his wife.

The farmer sees the disappearance of the ox and Father Chico and sends them looking for the Cowboys, but the Cowboys are nothing. Then the farmer asks for the Indians to help in the search.
The Indians can find Father Chico and the ox, which had become sick during this interval. The Indians lead Father Chico and the presence of cattle farmer, who raises Chico and find out why he had taken the ox.
The shamans (or doctors) are called to heal him, and after several attempts to cure the bull, which rises and begins to dance happily.

Then the farmer Father forgive Chico and everything ends in celebration.

ON THE CYCLE BUMBA-MEU-BOI

Tests begin around the month of May. At that time the "leather" of the ox, which is actually a velvet, is already being embroidered, and can only be seen by people who are being embroidered. It is a guarded secret until the bull is baptized and dedicated to Saint John
Religiosity is present all the time in the play of bumba-meu-boi.

The tests continue until June 13, feast day of St. Antonio, where is the last test. June 23, the day of St. John, the ox is baptized and the new "leather" embroidered and mounted on wooden frame in the shape of a bull, is shown to everyone.
Thereafter, the bull begins to show up frequently until around September.
Once invited, the group presents itself in front of the house who invited him. The show begins just before the house, when the love of the ox sings the tune initial call Garnish, organizing the group for presentation.
After the cappuccino, it's time to Go There, which is a tune to alert the homeowner and others that the bull is already going. After going there, and sung the license when the cow asks permission to perform.

During the presentation sing the praises of St. John, St. Peter, the ox, the owner of the house and several other themes such as nature, legends of the region, loves, politics, etc.. At one point the car starts, when presenting the basic story of Father Catirina and Chico, which however may vary greatly from one group to another. It is also sung the tune Urra ox and farewell, and the presentation ends.

The presentations follow one another until around September, when there is death of the ox. For the death of the ox, is prepared a large fencepost in the middle of the yard, all dressed up. Facing the altar of St. John, pray to the Litany. The killing of the bull lasts three days or more, with much feasting and dancing.

In the end the bull is killed symbolically, where wine represents his blood. The "leather" that surrounded the wooden frame is removed. For next year, another "leather" is embroidered, new tunes are composed and the cycle begins again.

The festival is usually held in June along with the gang traditionally Northeast.

San Marcos beach

The beach of San Marcos is located seven kilometers from Sao Luis, Maranhao. San Marcos is also known as the beach Marcela. Mark presents stronger waves that allow surfing. The sand is yellowish and thin, with dunes. On this beach are the ruins of St. Mark's Lighthouse, 18th century.

What to eat

The beach of San Marcos or Marcela is full of bars on the edge throughout their length and evening entertainment.

What to do

It is this beach that is the setting of the sun of St. Louis most admired very much sought after by young people who enjoy surfing. It's worth visiting the ruins of San Marco and know the summer residence of the governor of the state.

Hotels

Tourists can have various inns and hotels on the beach.

What you will find ...

Looking for a quiet beach, but with night movement and varied.

Ponta d'Areia Beach

Ponta d'Areia Beach is the liveliest beach of St. Louis may be the distance from the center - just 4 km - or because of good local bus structure. But perhaps the highlight of this beach is even the reggae clubs that work there.

Even as unfit for swimming in some stretches, the beach is crowded on weekends. Moreover, Ponta d'Areia has several hotels and restaurants in the neighborhood. Nearby, too, is the Ecological Park of Lagoa da Jansen, the Yacht Club and Fort St. Anthony.

Sheets Maranhão

The National Park of Yosemite National Park is a national park created in Brazil June 2, 1981 in an area of ​155,000 hectares on the banks of the River Laziness, in the northeastern state of Maranhao and distant about 260 miles from St. Louis, occupying a total area of 270 square kilometers, with dunes up to 40 meters and freshwater ponds. This is a unique coastal ecosystem within the Caatinga biome, which combines high winds and regular rainfall. It consists of a strip of dunes that moves between 5 and 25 km inland. The dunes are small freshwater ponds. The film House of Sand was recorded within the park.

Access is provided by the BR 135 road, by sea, entering the canal Rio Preguiças in Atins and waterways from Barreirinhas across the River Sloths.

By road, from San Luis, the state capital, travels with 58 km to the Rosary, and from there another 22 km to 162 km and hills until Barriers, crossing the turnoff to Humberto de Campos. By boat, it penetrates up through the same Preguiças River from Barreirinhas, where you can reach Atins, where there is an administrative headquarters. The Park headquarters is located 2 km from Barreirinhas, across the Rio Laziness, where you can cross by ferry. There are walks from Barreirinhas using appropriate vehicles through which one reaches the sand dunes and freshwater ponds.

Beach Fox

Fox is 28 miles from downtown St. Louis has about 22,000 inhabitants and is home to the largest colony of fishing Maranhão. Newly emancipated from the county of Paço do Lumiar, the prosperous village grew out of the 50s, and began to develop with the arrival of fishermen from the city of Ceará Acaraú - CE, they brought with them their wives, the known bobbin lace makers of the municipality. This assured the local characteristics of the main current source of community income are fishing and bobbin lace. Almost all the doors of the simple stilts (housing) of Main Street - Hall Of Lacemaker, were transformed into small craft shops, where they are marketed: table cloths, dish cloths, walkways, exits, beach hats, curtains, and a number of other artifacts made of bobbin lace, patiently woven pillows income for fishermen's wives. Tradition passed from mother to daughter.

Fox is famous for having some of the best places on the island of St. Louis to enjoy the delights of the sea. Taste the dishes made of seafood is a compelling task for those who reside in St. Louis or are just passing by Capital lands of the World Heritage

The town of Fox presents a set of urban houses, wooden stilts, which despite the simplicity of construction, cultural heritage and gain value, because it is associated to a past time and natural attractions, which nurture the ecotourism, sea and sun and business tourism, craft-based income and sales of marine products. It is impossible not to notice the natural splendor of the area of ​​the pier with the pier for berthing where are the colorful fishing boats, which, according to those who visit there, you can enjoy a fantastic evening. On the other shore, and the virgin paradise beach Carimã, considered one of the most beautiful island of St. Louis, filled with dunes and lagoons, extending approximately 15 km. Other walks are the trails and Itaputíua Pirimirim-Pucal.

Getting there

Bus line of Roads Coast depart every 30 minutes from Central Market, toward the city. Receptive Agencies in St. Louis realize, too, trips to tourist destinations in the city.

What to bring

With beautiful natural attractions, the town of Fox has all the basic requirements for the development of tourism. The handicrafts, cuisine, eco-tours in the streams, beaches, dunes and small islands, sport fishing and crafts, and other segments. Like all walks on beaches and islands, we recommend light clothing, sunscreen, hat or cap, sunglasses and bottled water, beyond the camera.

Eye beach water

Surrounded by dunes, hills and cliffs, with creeping vegetation. The beach has strong waves from July to December, making it ideal for surfing and sailing sport. This beach has great flow of visitors, but with little infrastructure for leisure. The beauty of this beach draws attention. Note that in general all city beaches are due to large tidal range, large stretches of sand that make them ideal for practicing ball sports, among many others.

LEGEND OF THE BEACH EYE WATER
"... The eye of the beach water - about six miles distant from the urban center, surrounded by dunes, hills and cliffs - land or tall and steep rocks, the sea, under sea erosion - and much sought by fishermen, say those who know that this is one of the top ten beauties of the "island of love." One Indian legend says that the daughter of Itaporama, chief of the most important Indian tribe that lived there, fell in love with an Indian village, a tall, strong and beautiful features so that the Mother of water also fell in love with him , upon seeing him. And so one fine day the goddess of the sea took advantage of his magical powers and managed to persuade the young to go to meet him, leading him, then to the bottom waters. Upon learning of what happened to poor Indian was desperate, and distraught at the loss of loved to wander hopelessly passed by a deserted beach, calling to him, in the vain hope that young man left the sea and return to his arms. And so it remained for several days without food, exhausted with pain and with eyes blinded with tears, until death, compassionate love of his immense distress, came to console her, burying her in the huge sandhills.

It was then that Tupa, compassionate virgin in love, has triggered two of sand springs pure and crystalline that even today does not stop flowing ceaselessly towards the sea. The Indians went on to say that that source was fed by the tears of India who died of love, legend remains alive until the present day. "

By: FERNANDO KITZINGER DANNEMANN

Pebble beach

Those who visit St. Louis should keep in mind that temperatures are high all year. Moreover, most of the rides is outdoors, involving walking through streets that retain their original paving pattern in the cobbles. So the trick is to abuse the clothing and lightweight shoes and not to forget important accessories such as hats, sunscreen and sunglasses, especially during visits to the beaches and the historic center.

Airlines have daily flights to the Cunha Machado Airport in Sao Luis, departing from the main cities of the country There are nonstop flights from Belem, Brasilia, Fortaleza, Manaus, Parnaíba and Teresina. Flights depart with a stop in Curitiba, Goiânia, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Sao Paulo.