We arrived at Barreinhas and took a cab (4h drive/70B$/18€ each) to São Luis. There is a local bus which costs 55B$ and takes 6h. We took it on the way to Atins. This time on the way back we would have to wait too long to catch it. São Luis is apparently World Heritage listed historic centre. It turned out to be a nice old colonial monumental city. We stayed there only one night at the Solar das Pedras hostel (80B$/22€ double room). We wandered around by night in this vibrant carnival, free spirited city.
The next day after breakfast we went to catch the catamaran to Alcantara (9am/15B$/4€ each). Sailing was very pleasant and easy. The good wind and quiet sea made the trip comfortable and enjoyable. It takes only one hour to sail from São Luis to Alcantara.
Sailing on Catamaran from Sao Luis to Alcantara - a wonderful experience
Alcantara is also a colonial city, but compared Sao luis it is quite small and immersed in nature. It is the beginning of Amazonia. Lots of mosquitos and insects are part of the wild life experience. Two nights there, far away from the noise except for frogs and roosters were just what we needed. We stayed at a very spacious wooden pousada by the church. We went on a little boat trip the next day to see the red bird and to walk few miles along the beach. The beach and mangroves were beautiful. Other-all I was happy with the choice of staying in a peaceful village rather than in a big city of São Luis.
Alcantara is definitely worthy to visit!
The way back to Sao Luis was a nightmare because we left our departure to the last minute. We were supposed to leave the peninsula Alcantara by catamaran at 2pm on Sunday and reach the island of São Luis in an hour. We thought about sightseeing for few hours São Luis and eventually catch our late flight at 11pm from São Luis to Belem. Unfortunately things didn't work in that way. We couldn't board the catamaran as the places were limited. We had to take a cab (15B$ each) to reach another harbour - Cujupe to get on the ferry. It all took a few hours and eventually we arrived on the island of São Luis.
The harbour was far away from the old town and the airport. The bus driver was so kind that he drove us directly to the airport. In the end the ferry trip lasted a couple of hours while the bus drive from harbour to the airport was 45min. Finally we arrived at the airport and caught the plane to Belem.
