Major city · Brazil
Barra do Corda
One night or a day-trip from Imperatriz or São Luís if you want a low-key stop with river beaches and a carnival that draws the region; skip it for the Lençóis coast.
Barra do Corda is a mid-sized town in central Maranhão where the Mearim and Corda rivers meet. It's known for its carnival (one of the state's biggest) and for the Guajajara spa, a river beach where clear and dark waters mix. Most travellers use it as a stop between Imperatriz and São Luís or as a base for nearby waterfalls.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BRL
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (dry season, best for waterfalls and river beaches)
- avoid Jan–May (rainy season, roads may be poor)
- Airports
- IMP · SLZ
- 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$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Barra do Corda190 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Barra do Corda, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$).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
- SafetyBarra do Corda is generally safe, but take usual precautions: avoid walking alone at night in quiet areas…
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.
- AirportcheckIMP Imperatriz Airport (About 2 h 30 min by car; check bus connections.).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable in the centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeR$ 4–8 (≈ US$1–2)
- BeerBeer (long neck)R$ 5–8 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxiR$ 20–30 (≈ US$4–6)
- Metro or bus rideBus to ImperatrizR$ 40–60 (≈ US$8–12) (check)
- Budget bedHotel double room, a night, per roomR$120 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomR$180 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomR$300 (≈ US$60)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R$100 (≈ US$19) · Mid R$200 (≈ US$40) · High R$400 (≈ US$75)
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
- IMP Imperatriz Airport (About 2 h 30 min by car; check bus connections.) · SLZ Marechal Cunha Machado International Airport (São Luís) (About 4 h by car; check bus connections.)
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
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
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°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 (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jun (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Mar (17 rain days), driest Aug (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Barra do Corda: 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)
16 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Sep
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Oct
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Nov
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Dec
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°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
The town is walkable in the centre. For the Guajajara spa and waterfalls you need a taxi or your own car; there is no public transport to those spots.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Fumaça Waterfall
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Taxi or car from centre, about 30 min
Check road conditions; best in dry season.
Guajajara spa
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Taxi or car from centre, about 15 min
River beach with clear and dark waters; no entry fee.
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
Most hotels and restaurants; walkable to the main square and riverfront.
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
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × R$180 | R$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R$200 | R$400 |
| Taxi from centre to Guajajara spa, round trip1 × R$60 · check | R$60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R$64 |
| Trip total≈ R$352 per person per day, bed included | R$704≈ US$140 |
2026 estimate in BRL; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | R$ 4–8 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Lunch (prato feito) | R$ 15–25 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Beer (long neck) | R$ 5–8 (≈ US$1–2) |
| 5 km taxi | R$ 20–30 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Bus to Imperatriz | R$ 40–60 (≈ US$8–12) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Carnival week (dates vary) fills hotels early; book ahead.
- River beaches have no lifeguards; check local conditions before swimming.
- Roads to waterfalls may be unpaved; a 4×4 is useful in the rainy season.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 190
- Ambulance
- 192
- Fire
- 193
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Barra do CordaBarra do Corda
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police190
- Ambulance192
- Fire193
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi centre → Guajajara spa: about R$ 30 (≈ US$6) one way (check)
- Bus centre → Imperatriz: about R$ 50 (≈ US$10), 2.5 h (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 o banheiro? — Where is the bathroom? (ON-dee FEE-kah oo bah-NYAY-roo)
Portuguese only; English is not widely spoken.
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 Barra do Corda. 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, best for waterfalls and river beaches) · avoid Jan–May (rainy season, roads may be poor) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Fumaça Waterfall and Guajajara spa with verified access and seasonal notes.
- Carnival event page with dates, parade routes and ticket info.
- Eat pages for Pedro Cândido Filho and Pizzaria Canto das Massas with last orders.
Sources
Ask about Barra do Corda
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