Mandacaru

The small fishing village of Mandacarú is an attraction in its own right on the banks of the Rio Preguiças. Whoever arrives at the town with its sandy streets is often greeted by the famous song in the voice of Luiz Gonzaga: "Mandacaru when it fulora in the drought, it is a sign that the rain arrives in the sertão", in reference to the species of cactus that gives its name to the locality.

About 1,300 people live in the village located between the beaches of Caburé and Atins, most of whom live off fishing, subsistence agriculture and handicrafts made from buriti straw. A long time ago, Mandacaru became a commercial and port center for transport by sea to the capital São Luís.

Leaving the pier on Avenida Beira Rio, in Barreirinhas, the speedboat ride along the Rio Preguiças to the village takes about an hour.

Photo: Encantes do Nordeste / Reproduction

SLOTH LIGHTHOUSE

Right in the center of Mandacarú, about a five-minute walk from the deck where the boats arrive, is the Preguiças Lighthouse, which has existed since 1909. In 1940, the old iron structure was replaced by a masonry one with a luminous range of 18 nautical miles to assist navigators. The site belongs to the Brazilian Navy and can be visited every day of the week, from 8 am to 12 pm and from 1 pm to 5 pm. There are 160 steps in a spiral staircase that leads to the top of the 40-meter tall structure.

The climb is exciting, but the view makes up for it. From up there, you can see the Rio Preguiças, Praia de Caburé, the mangrove, the boca da barra, Atins, the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park and the entire village of Mandacaru, with its whitewashed houses and handmade clay roofs. There are 360 ​​degrees of views to enjoy the beauty of the river, the dunes, the palm trees, the cashew trees and the mangroves.

On departure or arrival, be sure to drink coconut water at the stalls near the access to the Lighthouse.

TEXTS: Gabriela da Silva - Journalist

Photo: Cristiano Carrozzi/ Amo Viajar Barato/ Reproduction

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