Nestled in the northeast of Brazil, Jericoacoara and Lençóis Maranhenses are two of Brazil’s most captivating destinations.
Though both are relatively isolated (the nearest airports are about 4 hours away), their unique beauty makes the journey well worth the effort.
There’s an 8-hour car ride between the two destinations, but in Brazil, that’s considered a short distance, so it’s definitely worthwhile combining the two into one trip.
My suggestion? Combine the stunning landscapes of Jericoacoara with the breathtaking sand dunes and lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses in a seamless 9-day adventure.
The Ultimate Itinerary for Your Trip to Jericoacoara and Lençóis Maranhenses
Jericoacoara: Overview:
Jericoacoara, often simply called “Jeri,” is a charming village renowned for its stunning lagoons and majestic sand dunes. Beyond its natural beauty, Jericoacoara offers a unique, laid-back vibe that has captivated travelers for years.
- Location: City of Jijoca de Jericoacoara, State of Ceará Closest
- Airport: Fortaleza Airport (Pinto Martins International Airport)
- Distance to Airport: Approximately 5 hours by car
- Price: R$ 150 for a comfortable jeep ride accommodating 4-6 people
Agency: MWTur +55 (88) 9 9708-9447
READ: Jericoacoara’s Turquoise Lagoons
Lençóis Maranhenses (Barreirinhas): Overview:
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is renowned for its striking landscapes of white sand dunes, crystalline lagoons, a black river, and lush forests. The park’s remote location has helped preserve its natural charm, making it a must-see destination.
- Location: Town of Barreirinhas, State of Maranhão Closest
- Airport: São Luís Airport (Marechal Cunha Machado International Airport)
- Distance to Airport: Approximately 4 hours by van
- Price: R$ 70 for a comfortable van accommodating 10 people
Agency: Faiker +55 98 8884-6587
How to Get to Lençóis Maranhenses (Barreirinhas) from Jericoacoara
The best way to reach Lençóis Maranhenses is by transfer. Opting for a transfer is more efficient than flying because you would still need to arrange another transfer from the airport, which essentially takes the same amount of time.
Time: 7-8 hours with a stop for food.
Price: 210-250 for a comfortable jeep of 4-6 people.
Best Rout combining Lencois and Jericoacoara:
Flight to Fortaleza → Transfer to Jericoacoara (5 hours) → 3-4 days in Jericoacoara → Transfer to Barreirinhas (7-8 hours, including a stop for food) → 3-4 days in Lençóis Maranhenses → Transfer to São Luís (4 hours) → Flight from São Luís to your next destination
Of course, you can also take this route in reverse.
What Not to Do: Avoid making Jericoacoara your base and taking a day trip to Lençóis Maranhenses. The round trip involves two 8-hour rides, plus transfers to and from airports, which can be very tiring.
Important tips for transfer rides:
Avoid Night Rides. Yes, leaving at night will save you money on accommodation and you will sleep throughout the ride, but driving at night can be risky due to dark, often rain-soaked roads ( we almost spun out of control because of the rain).
Plus, from personal conversations I’ve had with drivers, they do not sleep properly before these long rides and sometimes would drive 20 hours straight.
Transfer Jeri to Barreirinhas:
Prices: R$ 200-250
Agency: Unitur Vigens +55 88 9746-4536
Itinerary: Jericoacoara & Lençóis Maranhenses
This itinerary splits your time evenly between Jericoacoara (Jeri) and Lençóis Maranhenses.
You can adjust the duration in each place but I would recommend adding more days to Jeri rather than Lençóis.
The nearest towns to Lencois, Barreirinhas or Santo Amaro, are not as developed so after you’re done sightseeing there’s really not much to do in these towns. Jeri, on the other hand, is much more lively and has great restaurants, bars, and parties.
So, if you have to choose where to spend a weekend, Jeri is definitely the better option.
If you have any questions about planning your trip or adjusting your itinerary, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram or Facebook.
Day 1 – Flight to Fortaleza and Arrival at Jeri
Take a flight to Fortaleza Airport and get a transfer to your pousada/hotel in Jericoacoara (Jeri).
Day 2 – Jeri – Beach Day
Getting to Jeri is quite a journey so take some time to relax at the dune black beach.
Don’t miss the sunset from the big dune—it’s an unforgettable view.
Day 3 – Jeri – West Side Tour
Take a buggy tour to the west side of Jericoacoara. Enjoy dune rides, mangrove photo ops, ziplining, and sliding from the top of a dune into a lagoon. More about this tour here.
Day 4 – Jeri – East Side Tour
Explore the east side of Jeri by buggy. Visit Pedra Furada (the rock with the hole), Árvore da Preguiça (the lazy tree), several lagoons, and the stunning Buraco Azul (the blue hole). More about this tour here.
For more about this tour click here.
Day 5 – Transfer from Jeri to Barreirinhas
Check out from your hotel and begin your an 8-hour ride to Barreirinhas. Remember to pack snacks and travel essentials for comfort.
Check into your pousada and grab dinner before restinggoing to bed early to save some energy for the next day.
Day 6 – Lençóis – Half-Day Lagoon Tour
Begin your day with a Brazilian breakfast before heading out on a tour to the lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park.
Morning tours typically depart around 9 am and afternoon tours around 2 pm. If you’re short on time, consider taking both: the morning tour to Lagoa Azul and the afternoon tour to Lagoa Bonita, where you can enjoy the sunset.
The agency will drop you off in the town center for lunch between tours.
After your lagoon tour, take some time to explore the town center and pick up any necessities for your full-day tour the following day.
Day 7 – Lençóis – ATV Tour
Have a good breakfast and prepare for a day of exciting ATV riding through the amazing Pequenos Lencois park.
Make sure to bring a hat and cover your arms since you’ll be riding the ATV all day long with no shade. Enjoy swimming in the lagoons and have lunch at the village of Atins.
Make sure to grab an acai bowl at Eco Açai Bar on the way back to your hotel to regain your strength after riding under the sun all day long.
Day 8 – Lençóis – Boat Tour
For your last full day, take another day tour, this time a more relaxed one, on a boat floating on the black river Rio Preguicas.
This tour takes stops at Vassouras where you can spot some monkeys, at the village of Mandacaru where you’ll see the Preguicas Light Tower and at the beach of Caburé. During the stop for lunch, you can rent an ATV and drive around the area.
On your way back make sure to eat in one of the best Italian restaurants in the area- La Terrazza Pizzaria.
Day 9 – Flight Over the Park and Departure
If you agree to spend some more money, take a 30-minute flight over the park for a bird’s-eye view of the breathtaking landscape. It costs us R$400 and was totally worth it!
Finally, check out and take your 4-hour transfer to São Luís Airport for your departure.
For more about Jericoacoara itinerary click here and for more about Lençóis itinerary click here.
