Caxias
Introduction
Caxias is a municipality in the state of Maranhão, in Brazil's Northeast region. If your travels take you across Maranhão, this is one of the state's cities, set within the Northeast, a part of Brazil with its own distinct character.
Before you go
Caxias preserves architecture inherited from the 19th and early 20th centuries in the Portuguese style, though a good part of its historical heritage has been lost over the years. The city is known as the "land of crystalline waters", set in a region with a very rich water table and plenty of vegetation.
Plan around the rain. Caxias has a rainy period, and its dry spell is known locally as brobró — a reference to the last syllable of the dry months: September, October, November and December.
Getting there
You can reach the city by road, principally along the BR-316 highway, which links São Luís, the capital of Maranhão, with Teresina, the capital of Piauí. Several state highways also serve the city: the MA-034 connects it to Coelho Neto and Buriti Bravo, the MA-127 to São João do Sóter, and the MA-349 to Aldeias Altas. If you arrive by bus, you'll come in at the Terminal Rodoviário Nachor Carvalho.Getting around
Getting around Caxias means planning around road-based transport. Local public transport is provided by minibuses operating under a consortium autonomous transport system, and this network is the backbone of shared mobility in the city, with routes oriented toward the centre and the neighbourhoods. There is no metro, tram, or urban rail network, so do not expect one. Walking is a realistic option for short trips in and around the centre, though for anything beyond a short distance the minibuses or a taxi are the more practical choice.
For intercity travel, the Terminal Rodoviário Nachor Carvalho is the city's bus terminal and the natural arrival and departure point. Caxias is intersected mainly by the BR-316 highway, which links São Luís to Teresina, and several state highways connect it to other parts of Maranhão: MA-034 to Coelho Neto and Buriti Bravo, MA-127 to São João do Sóter, and MA-349 to Aldeias Altas. No airport serving Caxias or airport-to-city transfer is documented either, so plan to arrive by road, most likely via the BR-316 corridor.
Where to stay
Lodging in Caxias is concentrated in the centre, where you'll find the widest choice of places to stay within easy reach of the historic core, markets and restaurants. Staying central also puts you close to the main transport links, which is useful if you plan to explore the surrounding region.
Food & drink
No food or drink listings are available for this destination in the source material, so there is nothing to recommend here.What to see and do
Start at the Morro do Alecrim, the hill that gives you a panoramic view over the city, and where you can also see the Balaída Ruins, the remains of an old police barracks that housed Portuguese troops in the early 19th century. Praça Magalhães de Almeida and the train station are other landmarks worth seeking out as you move around town. Caxias holds a remarkable concentration of architectural monuments: the Palace of Comendador Alderico Silva, the Episcopal Palace, the Cultural Center, the Balaiada Memorial, and a series of churches — the Mother Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição and São José, the Church of Nossa do Rosário dos Pretos, the Church of São Benedito, the Cathedral Church of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios and the Church of Nossa Senhora de Nazaré. For something more relaxed, head to Balneário Veneza.Three days in Caxias
Day one: Start in Caxias, a city in Maranhão in the Northeast of Brazil. Portuguese is the language you will hear. Begin at Praça Magalhães de Almeida, then walk to the Morro do Alecrim for views over the city. In the afternoon, visit the Balaída Ruins. The weather in September and October is warm and dry, so carry water.
Day two: Take a day trip to Coelho Neto, Buriti Bravo, São João do Sóter or Aldeias Altas. If you prefer to stay in Caxias, explore the centre on foot. The Terminal Rodoviário Nachor Carvalho is where you catch buses to these places. November and December are warm and wet, so plan around the rain.
Day three: Travel further afield. São Luís, the capital of Maranhão, and Teresina in Piauí are both reachable by road. Several buses leave from the Terminal Rodoviário Nachor Carvalho. For lodging, staying in Caxias keeps you close to the terminal. Walking is the best way to see the centre before you leave.