Maranhao Travel Guide

About the State of Maranhao, Brazil

Maranhao is a state in Brazil’s Northeast region, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and encompassing an area of approximately 331,900 square kilometers. It has a population of around 7 million people. Its capital and largest city is São Luís, which sits on an island and features a historic center recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its preserved colonial architecture and azulejo-tiled buildings. During the colonial period, Maranhão was part of the Portuguese Empire but also saw episodes of French occupation in the early 17th century, leaving a lasting cultural mark. The region has strong Afro-Brazilian and Indigenous influences, especially visible in local religious practices like Tambor de Mina and in cultural events such as bumba meu boi, a traditional folk performance that blends music, dance, and storytelling and plays a central role in Maranhão’s June festival.

Geographically, Maranhão is one of Brazil’s most ecologically diverse states, where the Amazon rainforest, cerrado, and coastal mangroves intersect. One of its most iconic natural attractions is Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, a unique desert-like landscape of white sand dunes and seasonal freshwater lagoons that attract visitors from around the world. The park is accessible through the towns of Barreirinhas and Santo Amaro and is a popular destination for ecotourism and adventure travel. The state’s northern coastline is dotted with remote beaches and traditional fishing communities, while the interior features river systems like the Mearim and Itapecuru. Another significant natural site is the Parnaíba River Delta, shared with neighboring Piauí, which forms a rare deltaic environment with dozens of islands, dunes, and mangroves. These varied landscapes, combined with rich local traditions, make Maranhão a distinctive destination in Brazil’s Northeast.

Maranhão’s economy combines traditional activities like agriculture and livestock with industrial development and port-based trade. The state is a significant producer of soybeans, rice, and cassava, particularly in the southern part of the state, where agribusiness has expanded rapidly in recent decades. Maranhão also has important cattle ranching and timber industries. São Luís is home to one of Brazil’s most important ports, the Itaqui Port, which handles exports from the neighboring states of Tocantins and Pará. Industrial activity is concentrated around the port area and includes aluminum processing and steel. Despite economic potential, Maranhão remains one of Brazil’s states with high levels of poverty and social inequality, and infrastructure development and access to education remain major challenges in much of the interior.