São Luís - Beaches

Beaches

There are many beautiful bathing beaches round São Luís, some of them fringed by dunes; but bathers should beware of the heavy seas on some beaches, with breakers up to 7m/23ft high, and also of the cars which race along some of the beaches. Among the most popular beaches are the Praia do Calhau (8km/5mi outside the town); the Ponte da Areia at the north end of the island, with the ruins of Forte Santo Antônio (1691); São Marcos (unsuitable for bathing), with the remains of the late 18th century Forte São Marcos; and the Praia de Araçaji (18km/12mi from São Luís), one of the most beautiful on this whole stretch of coast.