Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BRL
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (dry season, brobró)
- avoid Jan–May (rainy season, many roads become muddy)
- Airports
- SLZ · THE
- 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$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Caxias190 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Caxias, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$).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
- SafetyCaxias is generally safe during the day in the centre.
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.
- AirportcheckSLZ Marechal Cunha Machado International Airport (São Luís) (About 3 h 30 min by car via BR-316; check bus connections from São Luís).
- Getting aroundMinibuses (consortium autonomous system) cover the city; taxis and mototaxis are available.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (cafezinho)R$ 4–7 (≈ US$1–2)
- BeerBeer (garrafa 600 ml)R$ 6–10 (≈ US$2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi ride3.1 mi (5 km) taxi rideR$ 20–35 (≈ US$4–7)
- Metro or bus rideBus from Caxias to São LuíscheckR$ 60–90 (≈ US$12–17)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personR$40 (≈ US$8)
- Mid-range bedPrivate room (pousada), a night, per roomR$150 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedPrivate room (pousada), a night, per roomR$250 (≈ US$50)
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 (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)
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
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Oct
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Nov
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Dec
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Jan–May. Month by month →
Warmest Sep (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jun (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Mar (20 rain days), driest Aug (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Caxias: 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)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
20 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
19 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Sep
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
Oct
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
4 rd
Nov
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Dec
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 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
Minibuses (consortium autonomous system) cover the city; taxis and mototaxis are available. The centre is walkable.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 4 h
Bus or car via BR-316, about 3 h 30 min
Too far for a day return; combine with a stay in the capital.
Barreirinhas (Lençóis Maranhenses)
overnightDoor to door: About 4.5 h
Car via BR-135 and MA-402, about 4 h
Plan at least two nights at the dunes.
Door to door: About 3 h
Bus or car via BR-316, about 2 h 30 min
A day trip is feasible; Imperatriz has a riverfront and shopping.
Door to door: About 5.5 h
Car to Barreirinhas then boat or 4x4, about 5 h total
Too far for a day; better as part of a Lençóis itinerary.
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 (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.
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$ 80–130 (≈ US$15–25) excl. bed
- Mid
- R$ 130–250 (≈ US$25–50) excl. bed
- High
- R$ 250 (≈ US$50)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room (pousada)1 × 1 night × R$150 | R$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R$150 | R$300 |
| Local bus ride2 × R$4 · check | R$8 |
| Taxi from centre to Balneário Veneza (one way)1 × R$30 · check | R$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R$49 |
| Trip total≈ R$269 per person per day, bed included | R$537≈ US$100 |
2026 estimate in Brazilian reais; flights and long-distance buses excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (cafezinho) | R$ 4–7 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Prato feito (set meal) | R$ 15–25 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Beer (garrafa 600 ml) | R$ 6–10 (≈ US$2) |
| 5 km taxi ride | R$ 20–35 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Bus from Caxias to São Luíscheck | R$ 60–90 (≈ US$12–17) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Rainy season (Jan–May) can make rural roads impassable; check conditions before heading to Balneário Veneza.
- Mototaxis are common but negotiate the fare before getting on.
- Historic buildings are scattered; a map or GPS helps.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 190
- Ambulance
- 192
- Fire
- 193
Pocket card
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CaxiasCaxias
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police190
- Ambulance192
- Fire193
Embassy
The US has an embassy in Brasília and consulates in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Recife. Most other countries have embassies in Brasília.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Caxias → São Luís: about R$ 60–90 (≈ US$12–17), 3.5 h (check)
- Taxi centre → Balneário Veneza: R$ 25–35 (≈ US$5–7)
- Mototaxi short ride: R$ 5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
Say or show
- Olá — Hello (oh-LAH)
- Obrigado — Thank you (oh-bree-GAH-doo)
- Quanto custa? — How much is it? (KWAHN-too KOOS-tah)
- Onde fica a rodoviária? — Where is the bus station? (OHN-jee FEE-kah ah hoh-doh-vee-AH-ree-ah)
- Posso pagar com cartão? — Can I pay by card? (POH-soo pah-GAHR kohm kahr-TOW)
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 Caxias. 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, brobró) · avoid Jan–May (rainy season, many roads become muddy) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Balaiada Memorial, Morro do Alecrim, Balneário Veneza and the main churches with verified opening hours.
- Eat pages for regional dishes (arroz de cuxá, torta de camarão).
- Transport page with bus schedules from São Luís and Teresina.
Sources
Ask about Caxias
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