1.Witness the magic of the "Revoada dos Guarás" in the Parnaíba River Delta
If you find yourself in Parnaíba, even if just for one night, the best way to spend your time is to see the Revoada dos Guarás or “Flight of Scarlet Ibises.”
Every evening, just before sunset, Hundreds of Scarlet Ibises return home to a small island in the Parnaíba Delta. The vibrant color of the ibises’ red feathers pops against the light blue sky as they soar above in a V formation.
The whole show lasts about 20 minutes but every second is a spectacular presentation of nature.
The scarlet ibis are not born with their red feathers. Their feathers turn scarlet red from the food they eat.
Their diet mostly consists of crabs and crustaceans that they dig for in the mud using their long bills. Scarlet Ibis are native to South America and the Revoada dos Guarás is one of the most unique ways to see them in their natural habitat.
For information about boat tours to see the Flight of the Scarlet Ibises check out the following tour sites:
TIP: For the best lighting during the Flight of the Ibises, ask your boat driver to park to the left of the island. This will ensure the setting sun shines onto the birds from when you first see them in the sky to when they land. If you are too far to the right, the birds will be slightly shadowed in your photos.
2. Go Kite Surfing at Macapá Beach in Parnaíba
120 miles west of Brazil’s premier kite surfing destination, Jericoacoara, is Macapá Beach. Compared to Jericoacoara’s hip enclave, Macapá Beach is a sleepy, rural beach town.
For half of the year, the Macapá beach is only frequented by locals and Brazilian families traveling from inland Piauí for a beach day. But between August and January, like in Jericoacoara, Macapá blooms into a renowned kitesurfing destination for foreigners.
Macapá Beach is famed as a “flat water” spot for kitesurfing. A lagoon forms during high tides, which is great for beginners.
Best of all, Macapá Beach is a considerably cheaper kitesurfing destination than Jericoacoara. Here a two hour lesson for a beginner costs about R$460. If you are going to be in town for multiple days, inquire about class packages for cheaper rates.
If you aren’t dead set on visiting Macapá during its peak kitesurfing months, visiting during the shoulder seasons rewards you with favorable beach weather and deserted beaches.
Kitesurfing schools in Macapá Beach:
3. Spend a day boating around the Parnaíba River Delta
The Parnaíba River Delta is a unique place in Brazil. As you travel by boat through the Baía das Canárias (Canary Bay) and Baía do Caju (Caju Bay), it may seem like several northern Brazil ecosystems have converged.
Imagine, parts of the Amazon Rainforest, the dunes of Lençois Maranhenses, and the mangrove marshes of Belém combining to create 775,000 acres of tropical rainforest, towering dunes, amazing wildlife, and refreshing river waters.
This is the Parnaíba River Delta. It is the third largest in the world and the “largest open sea delta” in North and South America. The Delta sits between the states of Piauí and Maranhão.
Highlights of the Parnaíba River Delta tour include the enormous dune called Dunas da Caída do Morro, navigating narrow canals in mangrove forests as tall as pine trees, docking at remote river sandbars, local crabs and shrimp for lunch on the water, and visiting Morro do Meio.
During a tour of Delta, it is common to see a variety of wildlife including howler monkeys, capybaras, iguanas, snakes, turtles, and jacarés. You will also notice dozens of locals casting nets from small canoes trying to catch shrimp, crabs, and fish.
What to expect during this full-day tour:
- Most tours leave from Porto dos Tatus (Tatus Port) in Ilha Grande, Piauí
- Tours range from a half day to a full day – full-day tours will explore both the Piauí and Maranhão sides of the Delta
- You can book a single seat on a large 80-person catamaran or choose a more intimate experience on a small boat with fewer than 8 people
- If doing a full-day tour, there is a stop included for lunch at Ilha das Canárias (Canary Island) at a restaurant like Restaurante da Doca
- There will be several opportunities for swimming in the river and ocean and to explore the dunes
A Parnaíba River Delta boat tour is the perfect way to spend the morning and early afternoon before seeing the Revoada dos Guarás. Tour agencies often have a special package that combines these tours.
If you have a full day to dedicate to the Paraníba River Delta, I strongly encourage adding the Revoada dos Guarás to your Delta tour.
Tour agencies for the Parnaíba River Delta:
If you decide to visit the Delta last minute, you may be able to reserve a small boat at the port upon arrival.
4. Seek out adventure with an ATV ride through the Lençóis Piauienses
This is one of my favorite things to do in Parnaíba – take ATVs for a whirl through the Lençóis Piauienses.
Found between the cities of Parnaíba and Luís Correia, the Lençóis Piauienses are a shrunken version of the more famous Lençóis Maranhenses in Maranhão. “Lençóis” translates to “sheets” and is a reference to how, from above, the dunes look like slightly rumpled bedsheets.
Amidst the stretches of rolling white dunes are natural pools or lagoas of fresh water. These pools form during the rainy season from January to June. Prepare to hold on tight as you climb and descend the towering dunes and splash through pools of water.
Unlike in Lençois Maranhense National Park where motorized vehicles like ATVs are prohibited except for locals and guides, tourists can traverse the dunes and hop from natural pool to natural pool driving an ATV in Lençois Piauienses.
Local companies like Quadri Aventuras offer full-day and half-day excursions into the dunes. Helmets are required for all riders.
I recommend booking the afternoon half-day excursion so you can enjoy the amazing sunset from Lençois Piauienses at the end of the tour. There is a place on the ATV to tie down bags and coolers.
5. Enjoy a beach day along Parnaíba's 41 miles of coastline
Piauí has the shortest coastline of any coastal state in Brazil, just 41 miles long.
Despite its modest stretch of seaside, Piauí’s beaches are nature-forward and practically untouched in some areas.
Whether you’re search for a remote beach all to yourself or for charming beach front restaurant close to town, Piauí has options for everyone.
The beaches closest to, and just east of Luis Correia will be more populated with restaurants, hotels, and people. The further away you go, whether east towards Macapá Beach or west towards Pedra do Sol Beach, typically the less infrastructure you’ll encounter on and around the beach.
Beaches west of Luis Correria:
Pedra do Sol Beach (A popular sunset location in Parnaíba)
Feijão Bravo Beach
Parnaíba Beach
Beaches near Luis Correia:
Coqueiro Beach (One of the prettiest beaches closets to Luís Correira
Peito de Moça Beach
Barro Preto Beach
Beaches east of Luis Correia:
Barra Grande Beach (on the other side of the lagoon/Camurupim River from Macapá)
Macapá Beach and Maramar Beach (close to Macapá but has a few beachfront restaurants)
Carnaubinha Beach (near the large Carnaubinha Beach Resort)
6. Day trip to the Seven Cities National Park in Piauí (Parque Nacional de Sete Cidades)
If you have a full day to spare in your itinerary, just 2 hours from Parnaíba is the Seven Cities National Park.
Created in 1961, Seven Cities National Park contains 15,374 acres of unique rock formations, trails, natural pools, caves, and a waterfall. It was the first national park founded in Piauí and just Brazil’s 9th overall. Today there are 74 in the country.
The park’s namesake is attributed to the seven unique rock formations found in the park.
The most famous rock formations are Indian Stone and Turtle Stone ( Pedra do Índio and Pedra da Tartaruga). Over tens of thousands of years, the rocks in the park have been sculpted by wind, rain, and heat.
There is no fee to enter the park but going with an accredited guide is strongly recommended. For more information about the park, check out their Instagram.
Most guides include transportation from downtown Parnaíba to Seven Cities National Park. If you are interested in visiting during your stay in Parnaíba, I recommend looking into the following guides:
7. Explore old town Parnaíba
Five “historical sites” in Parnaíba are honored under Brazil’s National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage and worth checking out if you find yourself in the historical city center of Parnaíba.
1. Porto das Barcas (Ferry Port)
Located on the Igaraçu River, the Porto das Barcas originated in the 18th century and was an important trade and transportation hub.
Today, this area is considered an important remembrance of the city’s history and culture. In recent years, the city has continued to revitalize the Porto das Barcas and artisan shops and boutiques have moved into the area like Arte Artesanato, Loja de Artesanato Mandu Ladino, Galeria Mestre Ageu, and Casa de Turismo.
The Museu do Mar or Sea Museum is also in the Porto das Barcas complex. For events happening in the Porto das Barcas complex view their official Instagram.
2. Praça da Graça (Grace Square)
Just a few steps from the Porto da Barcas is Praça da Graça or Grace Square. This square is the “marco zero” or the founding spot of the city. Two historic churches are part of Grace Square – Igreja do Rosário and Catedral Mãe Da Divina Graça.
3. Praça Santo Antônio (Santo Antônio Square)
Three blocks from Grace Square is another prominent, leafy square in the city – Santo Antônio Square.
4. Estação Ferroviária (Railway Station)
A short walk from the Museum of the Sea (Museu do Mar) is the Museum of the Train (Museu do Trem). In the early 20th century, this was the region’s central train station that connected the coast with central Piaui.
Inside the restored station is an exhibit showcasing objects, photos, and the history of rail in Parnaíba in the 20th century.
5. Avenida Getúlio Vargas (Getúlio Vargas Avenue)
The primary street that runs through the historic section of Parnaíba.
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