State that makes up the Amazon, Maranhão offers destinations for tourism in Conservation Units

Marcela Leiros – Cenarium Magazine

MANAUS – Maranhão is located in the Brazilian Northeast, a region known for having the most beautiful beaches in Brazil. But few may know that the state includes 15 Conservation Units (UC), managed by the state government, and some of them are perfect places to enjoy tourism in a sustainable way. Ecotourism is also an activity that is being strengthened in the state, and CENARIUM has listed some places that are worth being known by tourists.

The state, formed in part by the Amazon Rainforest, but with 65% of its territorial extension characterized by the Cerrado biome, also has several options for those who want to get to know and venture through beautiful beaches to mangroves, waterfalls, rivers and even a tropical desert.

The capital, São Luís, popularly known as the “Island of Love”, “Brazilian Jamaica” and “Brazilian Athens”, has the Historical Center, considered by the Institute for National Historical and Artistic Heritage (Iphan) as “an exceptional example of Portuguese colonial city adapted to the climatic conditions of equatorial South America”, and preserves the urban fabric harmoniously integrated with the surrounding environment.

Read also: Jalapão, Bananal Island and Cantão: check out some charms of Tocantins, the country’s newest state

See below some tourist attractions in Maranhão:

Chapada das Mesas National Park

The Chapada das Mesas National Park is located in the South of Maranhão, between the towns of Carolina, Riachão and Estreito, in a region that is characterized by the presence of meseta shaped hills (hence the name of the park), sculpted by the action of wind and rain. Other differentials are the water courses, the many waterfalls, the highest expression of which is Pedra Caída, and the beautiful landscapes in a scenery dominated by the Cerrado, habitat of a diverse fauna.

The place has become a region of strong tourist potential in the state and today it is sought after by those who are looking for walks, tranquility, contact with nature, and extreme sports. The waterfalls and natural pools of crystalline water, with mild temperatures around 22° C, and in the midst of huge rocky walls, are largely responsible for the charm that surrounds the place.

Leaving from the city of Carolina, the park is 80 km (50 miles) away, 30 km (19 miles) on a paved road (BR 230, in the direction of Estreito) and the remaining 50 km (30 miles) on an off-road trail.

The Chapada das Mesas National Park is in the South of Maranhão, between the towns of Carolina, Riachão, and Estreito. (Reproduction/ Internet)

The scenery is dominated by the Cerrado, habitat of a diverse fauna. (Reproduction/ Internet)

The park is sought after by those looking for hiking, tranquility, contact with nature, and extreme sports. (Reproduction/ Internet)

The park has waterfalls and natural pools of crystalline water, with mild temperatures around 22° C. (Reproduction/ Internet)

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park

The place is considered ideal for the tourist who wants to have a unique experience of involvement. The area covers 155 thousand hectares and aims to preserve a rare geological phenomenon: technically a desert full of white sand dunes, some reaching 40 meters high, forming an immense sheet on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, penetrating about 50 km into the continent and extending for over 70 km of deserted beaches.

At certain times of the year, due to the intense rains that extend from January to July, countless fresh water lagoons with crystal clear blue and green tones are formed in the middle of the mountains of white sand.

The park is accessible by two cities: Barreirinhas, to the east, and Santo Amaro do Maranhão, to the west. In both, receptive agencies sell tours that lead to the largest and closest lagoons.

The park is accessible by two cities: Barreirinhas, to the East, and Santo Amaro do Maranhão, to the West. (Reproduction/ Internet)

Some dunes reach a height of 40 meters, forming an immense sheet on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. (Reproduction/ Internet)

The park covers 155,000 hectares and is technically a desert filled with white sand dunes. (Internet Reproduction)

Parnaíba Delta

The Parnaíba Delta is located between the states of Maranhão and Piauí, with Parnaíba as its entry point. The place is part of an integrated itinerary called Rota das Emoções, an itinerary consisting of three destinations: Lençóis Maranhenses, Delta do Parnaíba, and Jericoacoara.

The Delta is where the Parnaíba River flows, becoming channels, streams, and islands near the sea, the largest of which is Ilha Grande. In this place it is possible to find a very large biodiversity, including a very exotic fauna, but also with many of its animals in extinction. Because of this, in this region is the Environmental Protection Area (APA) of the Parnaíba Delta.

The tour in a speedboat with capacity for five people costs from R$ 450 and the boat for 65 people costs from R$ 75 per person. The access to the Parnaíba Delta can be made by land, sea, or air. The places considered the gateway to the Parnaíba Delta are: Parnaíba, Teresina and Fortaleza.

The “Route of Emotions” is a route composed of three destinations: Lençóis Maranhenses, Delta do Parnaíba, and Jericoacoara. (Reproduction/ Internet)

The region is located in the Environmental Protection Area (APA) of the Parnaíba Delta. (Ricardo Junior)