Major city · Brazil
Alcântara
A half-day or full-day trip from São Luís: the ferry schedule dictates your return, so go on the morning boat and come back by late afternoon.
Alcântara is a quiet colonial town on the coast of Maranhão, reachable only by ferry from São Luís. Its cobblestone streets, ruined churches and the oldest surviving pelourinho (whipping post) in Brazil give a more intimate colonial feel than the state capital. Most visitors see it in a day; there is little reason to stay overnight unless you want to visit the nearby rocket launch base or simply slow down.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BRL
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (dry season, lagoons full)
- avoid Jan–May (rainy season, ferry may be rough)
- Airport
- SLZ
- Nights
- 0–1
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$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Alcântara190 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Alcântara, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$).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
- SafetyAlcântara is safe during the day; at night the streets are very quiet.
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.
- AirportSLZ Marechal Cunha Machado International Airport (In São Luís; then taxi or bus to the ferry terminal (about 30 min).).
- Getting aroundWalkable centre; no public transport inside town.
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)
- Budget bedPousada double room, a night, per roomR$100 (≈ US$19)
- Mid-range bedPousada double room, a night, per roomR$180 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedPousada double room, a night, per roomR$350 (≈ US$65)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R$80 (≈ US$15) · Mid R$150 (≈ US$30) · 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
- SLZ Marechal Cunha Machado International Airport (In São Luís; then taxi or bus to the ferry terminal (about 30 min).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Jan–May. Month by month →
Warmest Oct (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jun (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Mar (20 rain days), driest Sep (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Alcântara: 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
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
20 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
19 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
3 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
3 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
4 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 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
Walkable centre; no public transport inside town. To reach the rocket base you need a taxi or guided tour.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Ferry from Alcântara to São Luís (about 1 h)
Return trip; the ferry runs twice a day each way.
Door to door: About 5 h
Ferry back to São Luís, then 4x4 or bus to Atins (about 4 h total)
Too long for a day trip; better as part of a Lençóis Maranhenses itinerary.
Barreirinhas
skipDoor to door: About 5 h
Ferry to São Luís, then bus or transfer (about 4 h total)
Same as Atins; plan a separate trip.
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.
Town centre
A handful of pousadas; book ahead if you plan to stay.
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$80–150 (≈ US$15–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- R$150–300 (≈ US$30–60) excl. bed
- High
- R$300 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pousada double room1 × 1 night × R$180 | R$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R$150 | R$300 |
| Ferry round trip São Luís–Alcântara2 × R$40 · check | R$80 |
| Taxi to rocket base (round trip)1 × R$150 · check | R$150 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R$71 |
| Trip total≈ R$391 per person per day, bed included | R$781≈ US$150 |
2026 estimate in BRL; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Ferry São Luís–Alcântara (one way)check | R$20–30 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Coffee | R$5–8 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Lunch (prato feito) | R$20–35 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Beer (garrafa) | R$6–10 (≈ US$2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry schedule: two boats in the morning from São Luís, two returning in the afternoon; confirm times locally.
- The rocket base is a military area; visits may require prior authorisation or a guided tour.
- Very quiet midweek; nightlife only Thursday–Sunday, if any.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 190
- Ambulance
- 192
- Fire
- 193
Pocket card
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AlcântaraAlcântara
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police190
- Ambulance192
- Fire193
Embassy
The US embassy is in Brasília; consulates in Rio, São Paulo, Recife. Most other countries have embassies in Brasília.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry São Luís–Alcântara: about R$20–30 (≈ US$4–6) one way, 1 h (check)
- Taxi town centre to rocket base: about R$75–100 (≈ US$14–19) one way (check)
Say or show
- Olá — Hello (oh-LAH)
- Obrigado — Thank you (oh-bree-GAH-doo)
- Quanto custa? — How much is it? (KWAN-too KOOS-tah)
- Onde fica a balsa? — Where is the ferry? (ON-dee FEE-kah ah BAHL-sah)
Alcântara has no ATM; bring cash from São Luís.
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 Alcântara. 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: Jun–Sep (dry season, lagoons full) · avoid Jan–May (rainy season, ferry may be rough) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area 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
- Ferry schedule page with live times and weather warnings.
- Rocket base visit: authorisation process and tour operators.
- Place pages for Igreja Matriz de São Matias and Pelourinho.
Sources
Ask about Alcântara
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