Dunes and lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – Arrival in São Luís
Today your Lençóis Maranhenses adventure begins with an overnight stay in the state capital – São Luís. A private driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation in the city centre – a local, family-run pousada, full of character. São Luís was originally founded by the French, however little evidence of this remains as you wander the streets – other than a few street names and some of the restaurants nearby. The city is now better known for having Portuguese influence and was given UNESCO status, declaring the city a cultural heritage site. Spend the evening strolling the cobbled streets of the historic centre.
Day 2 – Travel to Barreirinhas: the gateway to Lençóis Maranhenses
This morning you will be collected for the four-hour drive to Barreirinhas – one of the the gateways to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. On arrival, you will check into your hotel where you will stay for the next three nights. The resort you’ll be staying in is set on the banks of the Preguiças River, surrounded by lush gardens and tropical vegetation, as well as two inviting swimming pools to enjoy. Spend the rest of the day strolling in the beautiful gardens and walking paths, paddleboarding on the river, or relaxing by the water and end the evening with a delicious dinner at the on-site restaurant.
Day 3 – Lençóis Maranhenses National Park 4×4 tour
Today we have arranged a jeep tour for you to explore the dunes in Lençóis Maranhenses. Often described as a ‘desert with lagoons’ the park is famous for its huge rolling dunes dotted with crystal-clear freshwater lagoons, which form during the rainy season. After fun-filled, off-road adventures this afternoon, you’ll be taken back to your hotel for a relaxing evening and a restful night’s sleep.
Day 4 – Rio Preguiças and Caburé
Today we will arrange a boat tour in the national park, where you will wind through vast mangroves, dunes and small fishing villages. This is a chance to view the dunes from a different perspective, cruising along the lush green banks of the Preguiças River. The river’s name means ‘laziness’ in Portuguese, so you know you’re in for a calm, relaxing ride on the tranquil waters. The tour will end with a visit to the local fishing village of Caburé, where a lovely white sandy beach awaits – the perfect lunch spot with many beach restaurants serving delicious local delights. After spending some time here, you’ll hop back in the boat and head back to Barreirinhas for the afternoon.
Day 5 – Departure from Lençóis Maranhenses
After breakfast the following day, you’ll be collected from your hotel and transferred to Sao Luis airport. From here, you can catch a domestic flight to the next destination on your Brazilian itinerary.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Alternative Lencois Maranhenses: Santo Amaro and Atins
Experience a different side of Lencois Maranhenses National Park, with a visit to more remote regions of Santo Amaro and Atins. After spending a night in São Luís, you’ll be collected and transferred to the village of Santo Amaro, ideally located on the outskirts of the national park. There is a much more relaxed vibe here, and you’ll see far fewer crowds than in neighbouring Barreirinhas. You will explore the dunes and small settlements within the park by 4×4 and enjoy a dip in one of the many lagoons. After two nights in San Amaro, you’ll depart towards the coast and Atins. The final part of your journey will be by 4×4, along a sandy track to your accommodation in Atins. Atins is a small village nestled between the Preguiças River and the Atlantic Ocean – so you almost feel as if you’re at the edge of the world. The area is peaceful and secluded and a great base for exploring more of Lencois Maranhenses National Park.
