Vargem Grande

Vargem Grande is known for the São Raimundo Nonato pilgrimage, religious festivals, and regional culture. Lagoa Paulo Ramos offers a different focus: an urban spot for recreation and contemplation. This brings together a range of interests—from a culturally focused stay to exploring a place associated with reflection and leisure.

Pilgrimage and Festival Culture

The São Raimundo Nonato pilgrimage in Vargem Grande is considered one of the two best-known Catholic pilgrimages in the state of Maranhão. More than 1,000 riders accompany its procession.

On São Raimundo Day, August 30, the procession heads to Paulica in the morning and the image of the saint returns at the end of the day. The pilgrims’ stop in Paulica includes an outdoor Mass, the laying down of votive offerings, a large camp, and folk culture performances. Visitors interested in religious traditions and communal festivals will find a different focus here than on a visit centered primarily on Lagoa Paulo Ramos.

The Festejo de São Raimundo Nonato dos Mulundus takes place in August. Its program includes Masses, processions, pilgrimages, and cultural performances. The Santuário São Raimundo dos Mulundus is located in Paulica, within the municipality of Vargem Grande. The pilgrimage and the sanctuary can therefore be considered distinct points of interest for exploring the religious culture of the municipality.

Traditions in the Municipality

Quilombo Rampa is also part of the cultural character of the surrounding area. It was founded in 1818. The Festejo de São Bartolomeu takes place there from August 15 to 24; in 2025, the festival marked 207 years of tradition. These place and date details provide a useful guide for anyone particularly interested in local festival traditions. When choosing a vacation rental, you can first consider whether your trip will focus on Vargem Grande itself or also include places elsewhere in the municipality.

Boi Brilho de São João offers another way to experience regional culture and is one of Vargem Grande’s cultural references for Bumba-Meu-Boi. The Festival da Farinha in the Quilombo community of Piqui da Rampa, in turn, features cultural, sporting, and agricultural activities. These include processing farinha and organic products made by the community. The themes thus range from religious festivals to agriculture and community-made products—although these interests need not all be part of the same trip. The Festival da Farinha in the Quilombo community of Piqui da Rampa is held annually on the second Saturday in December.

More Destinations

Find more destination pages for Alto Parnaíba, Escalvado, Cururupu, Atins, Timon, Codó, Praia and São Luís.

For the broader travel overview: Maranhão.