Knowing one of the most desired destinations in our country is not as expensive as many think. The Lençóis Maranhenses, 4 hours by bus from São Luís, offer beautiful landscapes and many attractions – including in addition to the dune and green lakes.
And, if you do following our tips, planning a trip to the Maranhenses Lençóis gets easy and fits in your pocket.
The idea is to gather all the necessary information so that you can plan a trip there. Starting from the basics.
Where are the Lençóis Maranhenses and how to get there
Okay, the basics of the same. As the name obviously indicates, this Brazilian postcard is in Maranhão. 260 kilometers and four hours of road separate Barreirinhas, the main entrance door of Lençóis, of São Luís, state capital.
Thus, the most common way to arrive through the São Luís International Airport, which receives flights from various parts of Brazil.
See also: How to get to Lençóis Maranhenses
From São Luís, you have the option of taking a bus or private transfer to Barreirinhas, the city closest to the Lençóis Maranhenses. The bus journey costs on average R$40 to R$50 and takes about 4 hours, while a private transfer can cost between R$250 to R$300 per person and takes about 3 hours .
In addition, there are direct bus options from other cities, such as Fortaleza and Teresina, to Barreirinhas.
Once in Barreirinhas, you will find several tourism companies that offer transfer services to Lençóis Maranhenses.
And there is more news on the horizon: the government of Maranhão announced the resumption of direct flights between São Luís and Galeão Airport, in Rio de Janeiro, and between São Luís and Imperatriz, in addition to a new flight connecting São Paulo to Barreirinhas . This means that it will soon be possible to reach the Lençóis Maranhenses directly from São Paulo, which will make it even easier to access this special corner of Brazil!
Another possible route, but less common, involves reaching the other side, also passing through Jericoacoara and the Parnaíba Delta.
See also:
Where to stay in Barreirinhas
What to do in Barreirinhas
Full Roadmap by the Route of Eose
Where to stay in Lençóis Maranhenses
As may have been clear, Barreirinhas is the “capital” of Lençóis Maranhenses. This is the destination of most tourists who want to know the wonders of the park and it is there that you will find the greatest hotel offer.
If you don’t want to research a lot and make a point of having some infrastructure, this is the place for you.
Luckily, it is not difficult to find economic options there. You can find double rooms from R$ 300.
More comfortable hotels come out at R$ 350/R$ 500. Prices rise in the high season (and on weekends and holidays), but fall at other times.
There are other hosting options. There are also those who stay in Atins and Santo Amaro, two smaller municipalities and that are also around the Park, having easy access to the Lençóis. In them, you will find a more rustic experience, but also more quiet and without the tourist hyper-exploitation faced by Barreirinhas.
View selection of hotels to stay in Lençóis Maranhenses:
Find Hotels near Park
When does it cost to travel to Lençóis Maranhenses?
Passage and accommodation are the biggest expenses when it comes to know Lençóis Maranhenses. Then comes the tours, which cost between R$ 100 and R$ 400. You can hire everyone in advance here.
There are four basic tours: visit the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, which yields at least two days in the itinerary and two different tours, get to know the beach of Caburé and take the Voadeira tour along the Preguiças River and also get out of the Formiga river. In addition, many people go to Atins to eat the shrimp of Luzia.
These are the updated values for your trip to Lençóis Maranhenses in 2023/2024:
- Tours: : :
- Speedboat ride on the Rio Preguiças: R$ 100
- Blue Lagoon Circuit: R$ 100
- Lagoa Bonita Circuit: R$ 100
- Atins Circuit / Canto do Atins: R$ 150
- Quadcycle tour from Barreirinhas to Caburé: R$ 400 per quadricycle for up to 2 people
- Boia Cross in Lençóis Maranhenses: R$ 90
- Monomotor fly by: R$ 600 per person
- Food: The cost of feeding may vary, but here are some averages:
- Dish made: R$ 20,00
- Small pizza (4 pieces): R$ 25,00
- Acça , 300ml: R$ 10,00
- Tapioca: R$ 10,00
- Mineral water bottle 500ml: R$ 4,00
- Considering a mid-level trip, the food expenditure would be between R$ 80 – R$ 120 per day
- Accommodation : The rates in Barreirinhas and Santo Amaro are around R$ 300 for the couple, that is, R$ 150 per person. Considering 3 days and 2 nights, the total amount spent on accommodation would be R$ 600, therefore R$ 300 per person.
Thus, the average daily budget per person would be approximately R$ 330 to R$ 370. This value may vary depending on the tours chosen and the style of accommodation and food you prefer.
See also: Where to eat in Barreirinhas
There are bank branches and almost all establishments accept cards. It is worth taking some money in kind just so as not to get tight.
As in other small towns and the countryside, it is not uncommon for the summary money of banks on some dates. For example, on the fifth working day of each month, when a huge queue forms at the door of the banks and everyone wants to withdraw the salary. It happened to us.
What to do in the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park was created in 1981, to protect the area that became the great postcard of Maranhão. And it’s huge: it’s 1550 km2.
As it is difficult to understand the greatness of the numbers, it goes a simple comparison: the city of São Paulo has 1523 km2. Therefore, the park of Maranhão is larger than the capital of São Paulo. And it has 2/3 of its area formed by dunes. Desert face, but neighbor of the Amazon.
As it is only allowed to enter the National Park with authorized guides, the tours sold by the agencies obey the circuits already pre-established, unless you hire a private guide who does the tours in a personalized way.
The tours are done on adapted pickup trucks, the so-called gardeners, who catch you in your hotel. To get to the park from Barreirinhas, you need to cross the river Preguiças de balsa. Then take dirt road.
The distance depends on the tour you chose. Regardless, expect to find many curves, an irregular road with several flooded stretches, in which the vehicle passes in the water. Irrenilongs and mosquitoes accompany you along the trip, which is not exactly comfortable, but it is fun.
Read also: How is the view to the National Park of Lençóis Maranhenses
Circuits in Barreirinhas
The two main circuits to visit the Lençóis Maranhenses from Barreirinhas are the Blue Lagoon and the Lagoa Bonita. If possible, do both, since they are very different from each other.
– Blue Lagoon Circuit
On the first day of the trip, we say the most traditional circuit, which leads to the lagoons to Lagoa Azul, the Esmeralda Lagoon and the Fish Lagoon. You can hire the tour here.
This circuit is closer to the city and is the most popular. This means that in high season, it can also be quite full.
The tour lasts half a day and the trip to the parking place takes the car lasts 45 minutes. Then it is to walk for another two kilometers. There are evenings in the morning and afternoon. If possible, opt for the second round, since seeing the sun setting on the dunes is a spectacle apart.
Motorized vehicles and alcoholic beverages are not allowed within the Lençóis Maranhenses National National Park, as well as street vendors.
That is, there you will not find a little sale to buy items of last need. Therefore, take some bottles of water (all vehicles have a cooler to keep them cold) and do not forget the sunscreen, sunglasses, repellent and, of course, the camera.
Circuit Lagoa Bonita
On the last day in Barreirinhas, we went back to the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park to visit the Lagoa Bonita.
According to our guide, this lagoon is further away, about an hour and a half of dirt road, but it would be worth it, since the view from there was spectacular. He didn’t lied. Because of the distance, this tour is usually a little more expensive.
It includes a climb to a very high point of the park, in which it is possible to have an incredible view of the region. For this, you even have to rely on the help of a rope.
This tour also includes smaller ponds than the path of the Blue Lagoon, and is considered one of the most beautiful in the park. You can hire the tour here.
There are simple but friendly restaurants, right at the point where the vehicles stop. Some guides allow the group to choose whether to eat there or prefer to go back to town.
If you decide to eat there, remember to take money, after all the debit machines are not yet ubiquitous in the middle of the Lençóis Maranhenses.
Circuits in Santo Amaro
Although it does not have the convenient tourist structure of Barreirinhas, Santo Amaro is reputed to have close to you some of the most stunning landscapes of the Lençóis Maranhenses.
The Lagoa da Andorinha and Lagoa da Gaivota are the closest tours of the city and, therefore, are among the most popular among travelers who venture there. Both circuits have the advantage of not requiring much walking, since the gardeners can get very close to the ponds.
There is also the Lagoa da Betânia Circuit and Espigão, another beautiful promenade that includes a lagoon that rises by a river and is surrounded by huge dunes. Another interesting tour is the Lagoa América, which is only accessible by boat.
But the more adventurous will want to venture out on a four-hour hike to get to the Lagoon of the Allamies.
Circuits in Atins
Do you want more adventure? So get ready, because the most isolated region and also, they say, more beautiful in the Park requires a walk of four or five days from Atins.
The Lagoas de Queimada dos Britos and Barra Grande are in a region of Lençóis Maranhenses called the Primitiva Zone, until it is only possible to reach on foot, on a crossing through the National Park. If you have had this experience, leave your report to us.
Here you will find accredited guides for the Atins trails.
7-day itinerary in Lençóis Maranhenses
- Day 1: Arrival in São Luís
Arriving in São Luís, go to know the history and culture of the capital of Maranhão. Stroll through the historic center, admiring the famous colonial houses. A good tip is to hire a free walking tour in the city to optimize time. So you know the city with the guide and only pay what you think is fair to tip.
You can make a completely free reservation here. For the evening, choose one of the many charming restaurants to sample the local cuisine.
- Day 2: Travel to Barreirinhas and Visit to the Blue Lagoon
Take an early transport to Barreirinhas, the gateway to the Lençóis. After settling in, take a stroll to the Blue Lagoon in the early afternoon and enjoy a spectacle of crystal clear waters and bright dunes.
- Day 3: Adventure by the Preguiças River
Board a flyer to navigate the Pre-Slays River. Get to know the small riverside communities and be delighted by the lush nature around. You can make the reservation here.
- Day 4: Exploring the Bonita Lagoon
Prepare to climb the dunes and come across the stunning Lagoa Bonita. The view from the top is breathtaking!
- Day 5: Full Day in Atins and Atins’ Corner
Visit Atins, a fishing village, and savor the famous shrimp of Luzia in Canto do Atins. A day to relax and enjoy the beaches. There are boat transfers from Barrerinhas to Atins.
If you prefer, you can also make a hit back to Santo Amaro.
- Day 6: Challenge of Quadricycle and Cross Cake
Venture on a quad bike ride through the dunes and end with a relaxing buoy ride along the Formiga River. You can reserve your place here.
- Day 7: Overflight by the Sheets and Return to St. Louis
Finally, make an exciting fly of single-engine by Lençóis Maranhenses. Then return to São Luís, taking with him unforgettable memories.
Do I need to rent a car to know Lençóis Maranhenses?
Not a little one. In fact, if you go only to Barreirinhas, I’m telling you that the car is totally dispensable. You will certainly not use it in the city, which is small and can be walked in a matter of minutes.
You also won’t use the vehicle to go to the National Park – only authorized and guided cars can go there. That is, there is no way to escape the tours sold in the agencies.
On the other hand, the car can be useful if you want to assemble a roadmap that involves other destinations, such as Santo Amaro.
If you opt in this, we recommend that you book your vehicle in advance. For this, we use RentCars. They are a comparator that basically includes all the options of rental companies, from the most traditional as the most cheap.
Best time to visit Lençóis Maranhenses?
The dunes will be there all year, as will some lakes. But if you want to see that magazine cover scenery – a lot of dunes separated by numerous greenish lakes, then the right time is between the end of May and the end of August.
It’s just that the rainy season lasts almost the entire first semester. The second semester is dry. That is, going after the rains, which decreases in May, means finding full ponds and blue sky. I went in April and found ponds in half and cloudy skies. It was worth it anyway.
This is an important issue: deep down, the best time to travel is the time you can go. However, it is critical to know how the climate of the region will be, otherwise you can be frustrated when you find the Lençóis without many ponds.
How many days to stay in Lençóis Marenhenses
The worst mistake you can make is to stay short. This is not a trip to make a turnaround or in just two days. To take a look at everything, stay at least four full days.
And you won’t think it’s bad if you have more time – it’s the opportunity to also include Atins and Santo Amaro in the script.
