Parnaíba

Brazil

View from Salt Rock Beach Parnaíba is a city in Piauí. Most tourists pass by here for visiting the river delta, or on their way between Lençois Maranhenses and Jericoacoara. However, Parnaíba has its own charm, including nearby beaches, and could be worth a couple of days.

The northern part of the center, near the bridge and Praça Nossa Senhora das Graças, is quite pleasant with well preserved colonial buildings.

  • Salt Rock Beach.

Salt Rock Beach.

Take an evening stroll along Avenida São Sebastião, from the Balão (roundabout, also known by its restaurant, O Mirante.) towards the center. Dozens of snack bars. There is a cinema around the corner from Hotel Delta, showing the most mainstream from Hollywood.

Local handicraft specialties are made from a certain palm tree´s leaves.

  • Flor de Liz, Avenida São Sebastião. Grilled meats and pizzas. Dishes for 2 at around R$ 25.
  • Sabor e Arte. Pleasant environment, most of the art is for sale. Many dishes around R$ 25.
  • Biola, Praça Santo Antônio, Center. Wide selection of burgers and sandwiches.
  • Restaurante Popular de Parnaíba. Must be the cheapest place to eat in all of Brazil. R$1 for a full plate of food..

Flor de Liz, Avenida São Sebastião. Grilled meats and pizzas. Dishes for 2 at around R$ 25.

Sabor e Arte. Pleasant environment, most of the art is for sale. Many dishes around R$ 25.

Biola, Praça Santo Antônio, Center. Wide selection of burgers and sandwiches.

Restaurante Popular de Parnaíba. Must be the cheapest place to eat in all of Brazil. R$1 for a full plate of food..

  • The liveliest area is Beira Rio, 1 km north of the center, with several restaurants-come-bars.
  • Pride Solutions. Gay
  • Trilhu´s. Bar on the outside, club further in. One forró stage and one electronica room. Small draught beer R$ 2.

The liveliest area is Beira Rio, 1 km north of the center, with several restaurants-come-bars.

Pride Solutions. Gay

Trilhu´s. Bar on the outside, club further in. One forró stage and one electronica room. Small draught beer R$ 2.

  • There is an hourly bus (packed on Sundays) to the beach Pedra do Sal, about 15 km north of town. Many shacks selling drinks and fried fish.
  • Tours to the delta of the river Parnaíba leave daily at around 9 AM from Porto de Tatus (Sometimes referred to as Morro de Mariana), around 15 km northwest of town (Taxi from center R$ 25), returning around 3 PM. Several agencies arrange these at R$ 45, including pick up at your hotel. If you want to stay a night in the delta, Ilha das Canárias is an option, Ilha do Caju another, and Ilha dos Poldros a third.
  • Minibuses leave every half hour or so from Praça Santo Antônio for Luís Correia and the beach of Atalaia, R$ 2, 30 minutes.

There is an hourly bus (packed on Sundays) to the beach Pedra do Sal, about 15 km north of town. Many shacks selling drinks and fried fish.