Alcântara travel guide

The former state capital, Alcântara, is on the mainland bay of São Marcos, 22 km by boat from São Luís. Construction of the city started at the beginning of the 17th century and it is now a historical monument. There are many old churches, such as the ruined Matriz de São Matias (1648), and colonial mansions, including the Casa and Segunda Casa do Imperador, and the old cotton barons’ mansions with their blue, Portuguese-tiled façades. In the Praça da Matriz is the Pelourinho (0900-1330, US$0.75) (1648), the traditional pillory, and a small museum. You can also see the Forte de São Sebastião (1663), now in ruins, and the Fonte de Mirititiua (1747).

Canoe trips go to Ilha do Livramento, where there are good beaches and walks around the coast. It can be muddy after rain, and watch out for mosquitoes after dark. A rocket-launching site has been built nearby.