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Voykit pocket guide · Brazil
Caxias
Half a day is enough to see the historic centre and the Balaiada Memorial; one night if you want to swim at Balneário Veneza or hike Morro do Alecrim at sunset.
Caxias is a mid-sized city in eastern Maranhão, known for its 19th-century Portuguese architecture, crystalline rivers and the Balaiada Memorial. Most travellers pass through on the BR-316 between São Luís and Teresina; the centre can be seen in a few hours, but the river beaches and the hill viewpoint reward an overnight stop.
- Country
- Brazil
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (dry season, brobró)
- Avoid
- Jan–May (rainy season, many roads become muddy)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- BRL
- Money
- Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$). About R$5–5.8 per US dollar in 2026 — check. Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere, even at beach kiosks.
- Daily spend
- Budget R$ 80–130 excl. bed · Mid R$ 130–250 excl. bed · High R$ 250+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vivo, Claro and TIM cover the country; buying a prepaid SIM needs a passport and sometimes a CPF — an eSIM before you fly is easier.
- Emergency
- Police 190 · Ambulance 192 · Fire 193
- Plugs
- Types N, C · 127 V (Rio, São Paulo) or 220 V (Brasília, much of the Northeast) · Check the voltage on the socket; most chargers are dual-voltage.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 10% service (serviço) usually on the bill; optional but normal.; Beach kiosk / bar: Often included; round up.; Taxi / Uber: Not expected; round up.; Guide: US$5–15 per person per day.; Hotel staff: Small tip for porters.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.
- Toilets
- Put toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (cafezinho) | R$ 4–7 |
| Prato feito (set meal) | R$ 15–25 |
| Beer (garrafa 600 ml) | R$ 6–10 |
| 5 km (3.1 mi) taxi ride3.1 mi (5 km) taxi ride | R$ 20–35 |
| Bus from Caxias to São Luís | R$ 60–90 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- SLZ · Marechal Cunha Machado International Airport (São Luís)
- About 3 h 30 min by car via BR-316; check bus connections from São Luís
- THE · Teresina Airport (Senador Petrônio Portela)
- About 1 h 30 min by car via BR-316
Typical fares
- Bus Caxias → São Luís
- about R$ 60–90, 3.5 h (check)
- Taxi centre → Balneário Veneza
- R$ 25–35
- Mototaxi short ride
- R$ 5–10
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Minibuses (consortium autonomous system) cover the city; taxis and mototaxis are available. The centre is walkable.
See and do
Known for
- Balaiada Memorial
- Morro do Alecrim viewpoint
- 19th-century Portuguese architecture
- Crystalline river beaches (Balneário Veneza)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| São Luís | Bus or car via BR-316, about 3 h 30 min | About 4 h |
| Barreirinhas (Lençóis Maranhenses) | Car via BR-135 and MA-402, about 4 h | About 4.5 h |
| Imperatriz | Bus or car via BR-316, about 2 h 30 min | About 3 h |
| Atins | Car to Barreirinhas then boat or 4x4, about 5 h total | About 5.5 h |
Sleep
- Centro (historic centre)
- Close to the main sights and the bus terminal; limited mid-range options.
- BR-316 access road
- A few pousadas and hotels near the highway; convenient if you are driving through.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Oláoh-LAH |
| Thank you | Obrigadooh-bree-GAH-doo |
| How much is it? | Quanto custa?KWAHN-too KOOS-tah |
| Where is the bus station? | Onde fica a rodoviária?OHN-jee FEE-kah ah hoh-doh-vee-AH-ree-ah |
| Can I pay by card? | Posso pagar com cartão?POH-soo pah-GAHR kohm kahr-TOW |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, hug or cheek kiss (one in São Paulo, two in Rio); avoid: Being stiff with new acquaintances
- Gestures: Use thumbs-up freely; avoid: The OK hand sign (it is rude)
- Language: Try Portuguese; say obrigado/obrigada; avoid: Defaulting to Spanish
- Time: Expect relaxed social punctuality; avoid: Being late for tours and flights
- Beach: Bring only a towel, cash and a copy of your ID; avoid: Leaving things unattended
Scams and watch-outs
- Rainy season (Jan–May) can make rural roads impassable; check conditions before heading to Balneário Veneza.
- Mototaxis are common but negotiate the fare before getting on.
- Historic buildings are scattered; a map or GPS helps.
Caxias is generally safe during the day in the centre. Avoid walking alone at night in poorly lit areas. Mototaxis are convenient but agree on the fare first.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Caxias yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Balaiada Memorial
- Morro do Alecrim viewpoint
- 19th-century Portuguese architecture
- Crystalline river beaches (Balneário Veneza)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Prefeitura de Caxias (official site): caxias.ma.gov.br
- Wikivoyage: Caxias, revision 5135613 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5135613
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Caxias
Para este endereço, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
The US has an embassy in Brasília and consulates in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Recife. Most other countries have embassies in Brasília.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/caxias). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.