Since its establishment, São Luís (Saint-Louis) has had a long multicultural history.

Founded in 1612 by a Frenchman, Daniel de la Touche, during the reign of Louis XIV (from whence came the name Saint Louis) and proclaimed capital of Western France, the city was quickly conquered by the Dutch, before falling into the lap of the Portuguese some decades later.
Through the centuries, successive mixing of African, Native Indian and European populations give Sao Luis a contemporary feel. Rich in cultural and historical heritage, São Luis was listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1997.

But how should São Luís be categorized? Are we in the North or the Northeast of Brazil? Is the environment tropical, barren, marine or all three, this being in effect, quite impossible?! Nevertheless, São Luís presents all these three aspects.

The historical centre of São Luís and its 3,000 ancient constructions, partly renovated, offer a beautiful voyage back in time. It is a first class trip, if you consider the fantastic homogeneity of the works of art of painters, sculptors and other architects who, for centuries, have contributed to the beauty of the city. Colorful façades, impressive constructions with high windows, an entanglement of small narrow streets that sometimes end in a vintage unexpected square or fountain, decorated with glazed tiles.

São Luís by preserving its monuments and its diverse influences seduces us with its colonial style. In the evenings the city comes alive as different groups gather in the streets, dancing or playing music.

The village of Alcântara is established on the mainland, in front of the island of São Luís. The one hour journey to Sao Marcos Bay takes place on a regular boat or more risky, on a catamaran.
Founded in 1648 on the site of a Tupinambá village, for two centuries Alcântara was the favorite residence of the Maranhão landowners' aristocracy. In spite of its production of sugar cane, salt, cotton and rice, the rise of its annoying neighbor São Luís caused its decline in the nineteenth century, a decline that was accelerated by the abolition of slavery in 1888. This benumbed city has preserved its architectural heritage and its rhythm of life. As soon as he sets foot into Alcântara, the traveler feels the burden of history. Remains of the opulence of the empire are visible in the ruins of palaces and dwellings scattered all over the village divided by narrow paved streets and small squares. Most of the population is Afro-Brazilian; descendants of slaves who remained there after the fall of the Portuguese empire establishing themselves for generations in the dwellings of their former masters.

Our English-speaking guide meets us at the pousada at 09:00 for the town’s visit; a day stroll in the historical center of this unique town founded by the French in Brazil, in 1612.
During the 17th century, after their expulsion by the Portuguese, the town prospered thanks to the extraction of cotton and of Babaçu. From this sumptuous time remains the magnificent group of building covered with azulejos (ceramic tile-work), registered as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Meals not included. Night in a pousada.

Our English-speaking guide meets us at 09:00 at the pousada.
We take the regular boat to cross the São Marcos Bay and reach Alcântara, former residence of the rural aristocracy.
Once we disembark, we discover, in the heart of thick tropical vegetation, a superb architectural ensemble with its mansions (or "sobrados") built during the height of cotton extraction during the 18th century. Return to São Luís at the end of the afternoon.