M2B - Sao Luis

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Sao Luis
The city has a singular cultural patrimony where traditional folkloric manifestations are preserved (bumba-meu-boi, tambor-de-crioula and the cult to the reggae, the Jamaican rhythm). Maranhão is the poorest state of Brazil and its touristical infrastructure reflects this satisfying rather the back-packers. Sao Luis has good beaches and is the point of departure to the historic city and to Lençois Maranhenses.

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The City

Sao Luis, the capital of the Maranhao State, is on an island with the same name. It was founded in 1612 by the Frenchs, who wanted to create the “Equinoctial France”. However, some time later Dutches expulsed them. In 1615, Portugueses began to definitively control the territory. The city had a great economic growth period, during the second half of the XVIII century, caused by the cotton exportation. The major part of the 3 thousand and 500 buildings that integrate its rich architectonic suite dates from that time. The city has a singular cultural patrimony where traditional folkloric manifestations are preserved (bumba-meu-boi, tambor-de-crioula and the cult to the reggae, the Jamaican rhythm). Maranhão is the poorest state of Brazil and its touristical infrastructure reflects this satisfying rather the back-packers. Sao Luis has good beaches and is the point of departure to the historic city and to Lençois Maranhenses. Sao Luis has good beaches and is the point of departure of strolls to the historic city Plantar and to Lençois Maranhenses.



History

Sao Luis is one of the only three Brazilian capitals located on islands, and the bridge over Anil river is one of its most famous landmarks. But what makes the real difference is its history. Sao Luis was the only city in Brazil founded by French explorers, who intended to establish a French colony at South America, the so-called France Equinoxiale. It started in 1612, thanks to Daniel de La Touche, le Seigneur de La Ravardiere. At that time it was nicknamed La Petit Ville aux Palais de Porcelaine, meaning the Small Town by the China Palace. But the Dutch shared the same plans for South America, liked that place, and decided to conquest it. Soon they were the new area owners. Not for long, though, because the Portuguese started to get worried about all those foreigners in northeast Brazil and decided to put an end to their plans. What we see today in Sao Luis is the result of those different European cultures and their architectonic styles. A fascinating town, that in some places looks like a time standing still location. The city was named by the French explorers, honoring Louis XIII, king of France. Even being conquest by Dutch and later by the Portuguese, its name remained. Among many historic buildings and colonial mansions, centuries old churches and iron adorned gates and balconies, one of the most visible icons in town are the Portuguese style colonial tiles. They can be found everywhere, covering and decorating houses and mansions facades, and expressing a truly 18th century art. Walking in Sao Luis is also going up and down at every moment. The city was built over many of the island hills, and the best way to start your visit to town is climbing and exploring those narrow alleys that you never know exactly where will take you. Bars, small and cozy restaurants, inns, museums and cultural spaces can be found at almost every corner. Among the main touristy attractions in town are Salao de Maquetes, Arthur Azevedo Theatre, Cafua Slaves Museum, Graca Aranha House and Tulhas Market. Sao Luis was founded by the French in 1612. It was later invaded by the Dutch and finally reclaimed by the Portuguese. The Centro Historico is a type of open-air museum filled with uncountable architectural elements and details, where streets covered in stones, corners, narrow side streets, balconies, inviting the visitor to wonder about the rich past of this one time rich, prestigious and promising Brazilian City. The project of rehabilitation by the State Government encouraged private investment in the area and resulted in the opening of stores, movie theaters, museums, bars, restaurants and hotels.



General Inf

TELEPHONE AREA CODE: 98 CLIMATE: The average year temparature is around 23oC and 33oC. CLOTHING: When visiting Sao Luis, one should keep in mind that the weather here is warm yearlong and that most of the activities take place outdoors, with special emphasis on walks on cobblestone streets. It is highly recommended wearing light clothes and comfortable walking shoes. It is also important not to forget your dark glasses, hats, and sunscreen, especially when visiting the beaches and the Centro Historico. ELECTRICITY: The electric current in Brasilia is 220 volts, 60 cycles, alternating current.. AIRPORT: The Marechal da Cunha Machado airport is about 15km southeast of the city. The bus marked Sao Cristovao runs from the bus stop beside Igreja de Sao Joao (on Rua da Paz) to the airport in 45 minutes. There is a ticketing system for taxis – from the airport to the center costs about USD 10.00-15.00. Telephone: (98) 245-1688. Airport code: SLZ. BUSINESS HOURS: Most offices and stores are open from 9h to 18h, Mondays through Fridays. Stores are also open on Saturday from 10h to 13h, while most of the large shopping centers, open Mondays through Saturdays from 10h to 22h. Some shoppings also open on Sundays. Banks are open Mondays through Fridays from 10h to 16h. TAXIS: Taxis can be simply hailed in the streets, as in Rio or São Paulo. MEDICAL: Check with your hotel for information on the nearest.



How To Get There

Daily flights are available from all major Brazilian cities to the Cunha Machado Airport in Sao Luis. Non-stop flights are available from Belem, Brasilia, Fortaleza, Manaus, Parnaiba and Teresina. Also available are flights from Curitiba, Goiania, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Sao Paulo with one or more stops. The main access to Sao Luis by road is through the BR 135. Ths bus station is about eight km southeast of the city center. Bus tickets can be booked and purchased in the city center at several travel agencies. The “hidroviaria” (boat terminal) is on the quayside, just beyond the western end of Rua Portugal. From there, it’s possible to take passage on boats sailing along the coast. Sailing times are always approximate, and depend on the tides. There are regular daily services to Alcantara, Pinheiro, Porto de Itauna and São Bento. There are also regular departures at least once a week to Guimarães, a major centre for boat-building and fishing, and infrequent departures from there to destinations further along the western coast, such as Turiaçu, Luis Domingues and Carutapera (on the Para state border).



Restaurants

International Food Chico's Av. Colares Moreira, Qd. 52, Lote 16 - Renascença II Phone 235-2815 Casablanca Av. dos Holandeses, Qd. 30, Lote 10 – Calhau Phone 235-5396 Poseidon Av. Litoranea, Qd. 04, Lote 03 – Calhau Phone 248-1984 Le Bistrot Rua Miosotis, Qda. 13, Casa 03 - Ponta d'Areia Phone 235-0665 SENAC Rua de Nazare, 452 – Centro Phone 232-6377 Palheta Av. dos Libaneses, Aeroporto Cunha Machado – Tirirical Phone 245-1419 Primavera Av. Principal, Qd.15, Casa 14, Jardim Eldorado II – Cohajap Phone 226-4078/248-5799 Quintas do Calhau Av. dos Holandeses, 42 – Calhau Phone 233-6609 Panela de Minas Av. Sao Luis Rei de França, 50 – Turu Phone 248-5534 Do Calhau Av. Litorânea, 60 – Calhau Phone 233-6508 A Diquinha Rua João Luis, 62 – Diamante Phone 221-1568 Local Cuisine A Varanda Rua Genésio Rego, 185 - Monte Castelo Phone 232-8428 Base da Lenoca Av. Dom Pedro II, 181 – Centro Phone 231-0599 Base do Rabelo Av. dos Holandeses, 144 – Calhau Phone 233-6664 Base do Edílson Rua Alencar Campos, 33 – Lira Phone 222-7210 Cheiro Verde Av. Sao Luis Rei de França, 135, Jardim Eldorado – Turu Phone 248-1641 Cabana do Sol Rua João Pereira Damasceno, s/n - Ponta do Farol Phone 235-2586 Maracangalha Av. Litoranea, s/n – Calhau Phone 233-6764/6768 Tia Maria Av. Nina Rodrigues, 01 - Ponta d' Areia Phone 235-6979 Xico Noca Av. Jeronimo de Albuquerque, 24 A – Angelim Phone 246-9186 Pontal da Ilha Av. da Ferradura, 26 – Araçagi Phone 248-5047 Dona Maria Rua 02, Qda. 02, Nº 10 – Calhau Phone 227-5331 Antigamente Rua Estrela, 210 - Praia Grande Phone 232-3964 Amendoeira Rua dos Tucanus, 18 - Parque Atlantico Phone 248-0228 Bebezao Rua Mearim, s/n, Qd. 03, Lote 12 - Ponta do Farol Phone 235-0660 Italian Cuisine Primo Canto Av. Sao Luis Rei de França, 425 – Turu Phone 248-1799 La Gôndola Av. dos Holandeses, s/n - Ponta d ' Areia Phone 235-9900 Oriental Cuisine Kitaro Av. Sao Marcos, s/n - Ponta do Farol Phone 227-2416 Daruma Rua 33, Qd. 26, Nº 07 - Ponta d' Areia Phone 235-1226 Oriental Av. Jeronimo de Albuquerque, 120 - Curva do Noventa Phone 236-6883 China in Box Av. Colares Moreira, Qd.48, Casa 04 – Renascença Phone 235-2333 Health Food Restaurante Naturista Rua do Sol, 517 – Centro Phone 222-4526 Barbecue Pavan Av. dos Holandeses, Qda. 33, Lote 10 – Calhau Phone 248-6255/1817 Passo Fundo Av. Colares Moreira, 1000, Marcus Center – Calhau Phone 235-8535 Passo Fundo Av. Sao Luis Rei de França, 93 – Turu Phone 248-0899 Armando Av. Jeronimo de Albuquerque, s/n – Vinhais Phone 236-6661 Paralelu's Rua 27, Qd. 17, Casa 23 – Angelim Phone 236-1829 Self Service Colonial Rua do Egito, 152 – Centro Phone 232-2705 Kilomania Rua Afonso Pena, 28 – Centro Phone 231-8420 Petiscos Rua dos Guaras, Qda.05, Loja 1A - Ponta do Farol Phone 227-2409 Pigellati Av. Colares Moreira, 400 - Tropical Shopping Center - Renascença II Phone 235-1896/6557 Taberna Grill Av. Colares Moreira, 400 – Tropical Shopping Center - Renascença II Phone 235-3619/227-8659 Soups Petiscaldo's Mini shopping Ponta d'Areia - Av. dos Holandeses, s/n - Ponta d'Areia Caldo do João Mini shopping Ponta d'Areia - Av. dos Holandeses, s/n - Ponta d'Areia Fast Food Mc Donald's Av. Colares Moreira, s/n - Renascença II Phone 235-2525 Mc Donald's Av. Carlos Cunha, s/n, Sao Luis Shopping – Jaracati Bob's Av. Colares Moreira, s/n - Renascença II Phone 227-8080 Bonnes Croissant Av. Colares Moreira, 444, Monumental Shopping Center - Renascença II Flerte Av. Colares Moreira, s/n – Renascença Bom de Boca Av. Colares Moreira, s/n – Renascença Mister Burger Av. dos Holandeses, s/n - Olho d' Água Alí Babá (Arabian food) Av. Colares Moreira, s/n – Renascença Delices de Paris Rua da Neblina, Qd.02, Casa 31 – Calhau Phone 227-5012 Valery Rua do Giz, 164 - Praia Grande Phone 221-3677 Magiorrasca Av. Litorânea, 11 – Calhau Phone 248-0167 Alla Távola Rua Coronel Amorim, 05 - Ponta d' Areia Phone 235-5119 Internacional Av. Castelo Branco, 435 - Sao Francisco Phone 235-4452 Internacional Av. Daniel de La Touche, 10 – Cohama Phone 246-8045/246-8150 Bela Nápoli Av. Castelo Branco, 107 - Sao Francisco Phone 235-4869 Bela Napoli Av. Jerônimo de Albuquerque, 01 – Vinhais Phone 236-1375 Bela Napoli Av. Contorno Sul, Qd. 01, Casa 30 - Cohatrac V Phone 238-1158 Ice Cream Places Elefantinho Rua Grande, s/n – Centro Pingüim Av. Daniel de La Touche, s/n – Cohama Salutti Av. Marechal Castelo Branco, s/n - Sao Francisco Távola Fredda Av. Colares Moreira, 400, Tropical Shopping Center - Renascença II Pigelatt Av. Colares Moreira, 400, Tropical Shopping Center - Renascença II Phone 235-1896/6557 Maggiorasca Av. Litorânea, 11 – Calhau Phone 248-0167.



Night Life

Except during Bumba-meu-boi and Carnival, Sao Luis is quieter than most Brazilian cities of its size. The largest concentration of nightspots is just over the bridge, in Sao Francisco, a little on the tacky side for the most part. However, there are now plenty of bars and restaurants in the Zona, and Wednesday nights are when the historic center really lets its hair down, with loud reggae music blasting out till dawn. Sao Luis is currently the top reggae center of the Northeast and many of the nightspots cater to reggeiros or reggae fans.

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Remarkable Features
Although born French and somewhat proud of it, São Luís has little evidence of the presence of its founders, except for street names and a few monuments - such as the beautiful Palácio La Ravardière -...

Main Attractions
The city's infrastructure also provides all the conditions for business development, including exports: two ports of large gauge ships (one of them is the 2nd largest in the world), plenty of power supply,...

Gastronomy
Fish with vinegar sauce - Fish and sea food are the base of the Maranhão dishes. Prepared in the form of stews, soups and pies the fish, such as snook and yellow fish are generally accompanied by cuxá...


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