Major city · Brazil
Balsas
Skip Balsas unless you have a specific reason (business, visiting family, or as a stop on the way to the Lençóis Maranhenses or the Chapada das Mesas). One night is enough if you pass through.
Balsas is a mid-sized agribusiness hub in southern Maranhão, known for soy and cattle. It has a few sights — a river, a cathedral, a waterfall — but nothing that justifies a detour for most travellers. Use it as a practical stopover if you are driving between the Lençóis Maranhenses and the Chapada das Mesas or between Imperatriz and Barreirinhas.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BRL
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (dry, hot)
- avoid Nov–Mar (rainy season)
- Airport
- BSS
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Brazil ↗US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa (about US$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Balsas190 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Balsas, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$).Brazil-wide
- SIM or eSIMVivo, Claro and TIM cover the country; buying a prepaid SIM needs a passport and sometimes a CPF — an eSIM before you fly is easier.Brazil-wide
- Tap waterDo not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.Brazil-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% service (serviço) usually on the bill; optional but normal.Brazil-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/N. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Brazil-wide
- SafetyBalsas is generally safe, but take usual precautions: avoid walking alone at night in empty areas, keep valuables out of sight.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.Brazil-wide
- Emergency numbers190 police · 192 ambulance · 193 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysCarnival shuts many businesses for several days; museums often close on Mondays.Brazil-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckBSS Balsas Airport (No scheduled commercial flights as of 2026 (check).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeR$ 5–8 (≈ US$1–2)
- BeerBeer (garrafa)R$ 6–10 (≈ US$2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxiR$ 25–40 (≈ US$5–8)
- Budget bedHostel bed or pousada room, a night, per personR$60 (≈ US$12)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a hotel, a night, per roomR$200 (≈ US$40)
- High-end bedDouble room in a hotel, a night, per roomR$350 (≈ US$65)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R$100 (≈ US$19) · Mid R$180 (≈ US$35) · High R$300 (≈ US$60)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BSS Balsas Airport (No scheduled commercial flights as of 2026 (check). Nearest airports: Imperatriz (IMP, about 3 h by car) or São Luís (SLZ, about 7 h).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Oct
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Nov
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Dec
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Sep (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jun (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Balsas: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Sep
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Oct
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Nov
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
17 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable. For the waterfall and Gruta do Amor you need a car or taxi (ask at your hotel).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Chapada das Mesas
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Car, about 1.5 h to the park entrance
Waterfalls and hiking; best in dry season.
Imperatriz
cautionDoor to door: About 3.5 h
Car or bus, about 3 h
Larger city with more services; not a tourist destination.
Barreirinhas (Lençóis Maranhenses)
skipDoor to door: About 5.5 h
Car, about 5 h
Too far for a day trip; better as a stopover.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Centro
Central area near the cathedral and main square; most hotels and restaurants are here.
Rodoviária area
Near the bus station; practical for overnight stops.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- R$ 100–150 (≈ US$19–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- R$ 150–250 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- High
- R$ 250 (≈ US$50)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in a hotel1 × 1 night × R$200 | R$200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R$180 | R$360 |
| Taxi from bus station to centre1 × R$20 · check | R$20 |
| Car rental per day (economy)1 × R$150 · check | R$150 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R$73 |
| Trip total≈ R$402 per person per day, bed included | R$803≈ US$150 |
2026 estimate in BRL; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | R$ 5–8 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Lunch (prato feito) | R$ 20–35 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Beer (garrafa) | R$ 6–10 (≈ US$2) |
| 5 km taxi | R$ 25–40 (≈ US$5–8) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Rainy season (Nov–Mar) makes dirt roads to waterfalls and caves impassable or very muddy.
- No scheduled flights to Balsas Airport (check).
- Limited English spoken; Portuguese or Spanish helps.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 190
- Ambulance
- 192
- Fire
- 193
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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BalsasBalsas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Me leve a este endereçoTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police190
- Ambulance192
- Fire193
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus from Imperatriz to Balsas: about R$ 60–80 (≈ US$12–15), 3 h (check)
- Taxi from bus station to centre: R$ 15–25 (≈ US$3–5)
Say or show
- Olá — Hello
- Obrigado / Obrigada — Thank you
- Quanto custa? — How much?
- Onde fica a rodoviária? — Where is the bus station?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Balsas. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct (dry, hot) · avoid Nov–Mar (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Balsas
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