The city of Saõ Luis, built on an island of the same name and situated on Brazil’s northeastern coast, is the capital of the state of Maranhão.

Named after Saint Louis by the original settlers in 1612 to honor the French King, the city only stayed under French rule for three years before it was captured by the Portuguese. Although a fort was constructed, there is little evidence of the French presence here. The Dutch occupied the city in 1641 but also left very little behind: it was not until the Portuguese finally reclaimed the city in 1645 that the city as we see it today began to be constructed.

Saõ Luis grew: at one time, it was Brazil’s third largest city, although with just under one million inhabitants it is currrently the 16th largest. The economic decline and stagnation that followed this golden era is one of the reasons that so much remains from this time, as the city completely avoided the modernisation programmes that destroyed many of the colonial centers in other Brazilian cities. The almost completely preserved Centro Historico, which became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1997, contains over three thousand 17th and 18th century buildings, and is the biggest reason people visit the city.

The largest and best preserved area of Portuguese colonial architecture in all of Latin America has been undergoing an extensive regeneration program since 1989; it is now a great place to wander for hours up and down the narrow streets inspecting colonial mansions, with their balconies, venetian blinds and famous painted tiles. There is plenty to do, with numerous restaurants, cafes and museums, including the Casa de Nhozihno, the Museu Histórico do Estado de Maranhaõ and the Caso de Maranhaõ which contains paraphernalia from Saõ Luis’s biggest festival, the Bumba Meu Boi.

As well as the wealth of colonial architecture and cultural activities to enjoy Saõ Luis has much more to offer. The many beautiful easily accessible local beaches are perfect places to take advantage of the year round warm climate. Being Brazil’s reggae capital, the music at Saõ Luis’s many bars and clubs is a welcome change for anyone whose been in the country for any length of time.

Although there is not a massive amount to do, the laid back almost Caribbean atmosphere of this pretty colonial city makes it an easy place to relax for at least a few days.