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Tourism in Piauí is a rich and diverse experience, offering everything from natural beauty to a vast historical and cultural heritage. Despite being a lesser-known state compared to other destinations in the Northeast, Piauí has a lot to offer visitors looking for something unique and authentic.

It is the only northeastern state whose capital, Teresina, is not bathed by the sea.

But unlike the rest of the Northeast, its territory began to be occupied by the hinterland.

In fact, the state of Piauí has the smallest coastline in the region – 66 kilometres.

The colonisation of Piauí (‘river of piaus’ in Tupi, a reference to an abundant fish in the state) came about through the action of explorers who, in the 17th century, set out from Bahia and Pernambuco in search of new pastures.

The city of Oeiras bears witness to this period.

Other towns sprang up, and the Parnaíba River, the second largest in the Northeast, was the link between them, helping to prosper present-day cities such as Floriano, Amarante and Teresina, the capital since 1852.

The Parnaíba, affectionately known as the Old Monk, rises in the Serra das Mangabeiras, on the border with Tocantins and Bahia, and runs for 1480 kilometres until it reaches the Atlantic.

The point where it empties forms the Parnaíba delta, the largest in the Americas and one of the most interesting stretches of the Brazilian coastline.

The hot, arid lands of the Piauí hinterland hold magnificent surprises, such as the rock formation of the Sete Cidades National Park and the glistening walls of the Serra das Confusões National Park.

The greatest gem, however, is the collection of rock inscriptions in the Serra da Capivara National Park, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1991.

The friendly city of Teresina is one of the gateways to the attractions of Piauí.

Access via Petrolina, in Pernambuco, is recommended to go to São Raimundo Nonato, a support point for visitors to the Serra da Capivara and Serra das Confusões. You can also get there via the Parnaíba delta.

Piauí

1. Main Tourist Destinations

1. Serra da Capivara National Park

• Description: This park is one of the largest and most important archaeological sites in the world, with more than a thousand catalogued sites and countless cave paintings dating back up to 50,000 years. In addition to its historical importance, the park offers stunning landscapes with unique rock formations.
• Activities: Trails, observation of cave paintings, visit to the Museum of the American Man.

2. Parnaíba Delta

• Description: The Parnaíba Delta is one of the only open sea deltas in the world, a veritable labyrinth of rivers, canals, islands and igarapés that form a unique landscape.
• The Parnaíba Delta is one of the only open sea deltas in the world.
• Activities: Boat trips, observing the local fauna (caimans, monkeys, birds), visiting the dunes and lagoons.

3. Beaches on the Piaui coast

• Barra Grande Beach: Known for its perfect winds for kitesurfing, it’s also a peaceful refuge with charming inns and calm seas.
• Praia de Luís Correia: Popular with tourists, it offers infrastructure for visitors, with bars, restaurants and calm waters.
• Praia do Coqueiro: Ideal for those looking for a quiet spot with coconut trees and crystal-clear waters.

4. Poty River Canyon

• Description: Known as the ‘Brazilian Grand Canyon’, the Rio Poty Canyon is an impressive rock formation with dramatic landscapes, ideal for adventurers and nature lovers.
• Activities: Hiking, climbing, abseiling and photography.

5. Sete Cidades National Park

• Description: The park is famous for its rock formations sculpted by the action of wind and rain, which form curious and mysterious figures. There are also records of rock inscriptions.
• Activities: Hiking, exploring the rocky ‘cities’ and observing rock inscriptions.

6. Oeiras

• Description: Piauí’s first capital, Oeiras, is a historic city with a well-preserved centre, full of colonial churches and historic buildings dating back to the colonial period.
• Activities: Visit the historic centre, churches, museums and take part in traditional religious festivals.

7. Meeting of the Rivers (Teresina)

• Description: In Teresina, the point where the Parnaíba and Poti rivers meet is one of the city’s main landmarks, with an environmental park that offers trails and viewpoints.
• Activities: Hiking, photography and enjoying the local cuisine in riverside restaurants.

8. Urubu Waterfall

• Description: Located in Esperantina, this is one of the largest waterfalls in Piauí, surrounded by lush vegetation. It’s a great destination for those who enjoy ecotourism.
• Activities: Bathing in the waterfall, picnics and hiking trails.

2. Culture and Festivities

1. June Festivals: The June festivals in Piauí are vibrant, with quadrilhas, bonfires and typical foods, and are one of the most important celebrations in the state.
2. Pedro II Winter Festival: Held in the city of Pedro II, this festival combines music, handicrafts and jewellery, making it a great cultural attraction.
3. Holy Week in Oeiras: Known as the ‘Capital of Faith’, Oeiras holds one of the most traditional Holy Week celebrations in the Northeast, with processions and religious rituals.

3. Gastronomy

Piauí’s cuisine is one of the state’s great attractions, with dishes such as:

1. Paçoca de Carne de Sol: Shredded sun-dried meat mixed with manioc flour and spices.
2. Capote: Guinea fowl prepared in a variety of ways, and is a local delicacy.
3. Baião de Dois: A typical dish from the north-east, with rice, beans and meat, very popular in Piauí.
4. Cajuína: Traditional non-alcoholic drink made from cashew nuts, sweet and refreshing.

4. Travel Tips

• Best Time to Visit: The dry season, between June and December, is the best time to visit Piauí, especially to enjoy the beaches and hiking trails.
• Accessibility: The state is accessible via Teresina airport and from there by motorways linking the main cities and tourist attractions.
• Infrastructure: Although the main cities have good infrastructure, some more remote attractions may require additional planning, such as accommodation in simpler places and long journeys.

Piauí offers a combination of history, culture and nature, making it an unmissable destination for those looking to discover an authentic Brazil full of surprises.

Videos ‘Tourist attractions in Piauí’

TOURIST PUBLICATIONS ABOUT PIAUÍ

• The cultural routes of Teresina.
• The rocks sculpted by nature in the Parque Nacional de Sete Cidades.
• The Serra da Capivara National Park, guardian of the largest collection of cave paintings in the world.
• The rock formations in Serra das Confusões.
• The mangroves, dunes and beaches formed by the delta of the Parnaiba river.
• Barra Grande in Piauí has with prominence for the practice of Kitesurf.
• Oeiras in Piauí has an option for religious and historical tourism.
• A Ilha das Canárias é uma das mais bonitas do delta do Parnaíba
• Poti River canyon reveals beauty of mountain range located between Piauí and Ceará.
• The Parnaíba Delta forms the only open sea delta in all of America.
• Serra da Capivara National Park has largest collection of cave paintings.
• Guia de Turismo e Viagem de Oeiras e São Raimundo Nonato.
• Sete Cidades has geological monuments and a rare archaeological heritage.
• Luís Correia has the best coastline of Piauí
• Serra das Confusões National Park
• Main Tourist Sites of Piauí
• Cappadocia Piauiense

Tourist guide to Piauí and northeast Brazil