Palma Hostel

Top choice in São Luís


Long overdue in the historical center, this bright and well-run hostel is the perfect base for budget travelers. It offers spotless colorful dorms with single beds – no bunks – and neat private rooms with good bathrooms. The fantastic common areas have plenty of comfy seating, and there are elegant decorative touches throughout. Breakfast is served in the courtyard.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby São Luís attractions

3. Mercado das Tulhas

0.12 MILES

This 19th-century market building now trades in an interesting variety of typical Maranhão crafts and foods, from dried prawns and Brazil nuts to an…

4. Museo do Reggae Maranhão

0.12 MILES

A small, bright museum covering the history of reggae music in Maranhão. In addition to displays dedicated to the local artists and promoters who bought…

5. Centro Cultural Vale Maranhão

0.13 MILES

This hip new cultural center in a stylishly renovated colonial mansion in the heart of the historical center features rotating exhibitions of high-quality…

6. Museu de Artes Visuais

0.13 MILES

There’s a fine collection of old azulejos (decorative ceramic tiles), engravings, sculptures and paintings at the Visual Arts Museum, which has been…

7. Teatro Arthur Acevedo

0.14 MILES

São Luís's grand neoclassical theater was constructed in 1817 by two homesick Portuguese merchants who missed the dramatic spectacles of Lisbon. It's the…

8. Igreja da Sé

0.15 MILES

São Luís' 17th-century cathedral looks along Av Dom Pedro II from its top end. Inside are ceiling frescoes decorated with babaçu (palm) motifs and a fine…