Picture vast white sand dunes cascading into crystal-clear lagoons, a winding black river, and lush, dense forest. Lençóis Maranhenses National Park offers this and more, with its lunar-like landscape shifting with the seasons. As rain fills the lagoons, they transform the desert into an oasis, and when the water recedes, vibrant flowers bloom in the shallow pools.
Lençóis is one of Brazil’s best-kept secrets. Tucked away in the northeast, the park remains relatively untouched due to its remote location. The nearest airport is in São Luís, but many travelers also arrive from Jericoacoara. If you’re planning to visit both places, check out this 9-day itinerary for these two magical destinations.
The closest towns are Barreirinhas and Santo Amaro, while inside the park itself lies a small village called Atins. For recommendations on where to stay and hotel options, click here.
Tours and Activities in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
The park offers an array of day trips, half-day tours, treks, and ATV adventures. It’s divided into two parts: Grande Lençóis (Big Lençóis) and Pequenos Lençóis (Small Lençóis). Grande Lençóis is vast, and tours there are usually done in safari vehicles. In Pequenos Lençóis, self-driven ATV tours let you explore the landscape up close. Both areas boast the same stunning combination of dunes and lagoons.
Self-Driven ATV Tour in Pequenos Lençóis
Drive your own ATV through the golden dunes of Pequenos Lençóis. These tours are ideal for adventure seekers, and each vehicle fits two people, making it fun to switch places and enjoy the view from the back seat. The smaller size of this area makes it easier to navigate, and the lagoons here are beautifully transparent.
Dune Tours Around Grande Lençóis:
Grande Lençóis is the larger part of the park, known for its white dunes and bigger lagoons. Tours here are done in safari vehicles, and we recommend sticking with these. Some agencies offer ATV tours with a driver in this section, but the distances are long, and hours on an ATV can be exhausting
We recommend sticking with the safari vehicle tours for this section.
Lagoa Azul Half-Day Tour:
This tour takes you to three picturesque lagoons, with Lagoa Azul being the main attraction. After a short ride, it’s just a 5-10 minute walk to each lagoon, making it a relaxing way to enjoy the scenery and cool off in the water.
Difficulty: Easy, suitable for all ages. Those with knee issues should take it slow.
Departure: From Barreirinhas; morning tours at 9-10 am, afternoon tours at 2-3 pm.
Price: R$85-100
Lagoa Bonita Half-Day Tour:
Famous for its incredible sunset views, Lagoa Bonita is located at the base of a 50-meter-high sand dune. Although we missed the tour due to cloudy weather, it’s highly recommended on clear days.
Departure: From Barreirinhas; tours leave around 9-10 am and 2-3 pm.
Price: R$85-100
Difficulty: Easy, but climbing the dune may be tough for some.
Flight Over Lençóis Maranhenses (Sobrevoo):
A 30-minute flight over the park offers a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the sand dunes and lagoons. The plane is small, fitting up to four people (including the pilot), and you can choose between two flight routes—one focusing on the dunes and lagoons, and another that also includes the river and forest.
The flight was smooth despite my motion sickness, and the view was well worth the cost.
- Details: Pick-up from your hotel is included, but flights depend on weather conditions.
- Price: R$350-400 per person. (minimum of 2 people). The plane accommodates 3 people.
Agencies:
- Voar Fotografia Area (R$380) | +55 98 8264-2945;
- AvaTurismo (R$400) | +55 98 8287-1854
Day Tour on the Preguiças River:
This boat tour along the Preguiças River includes stops at Vassouras (to spot monkeys), Mandacaru (to visit the Preguiças Lighthouse), and the beach at Caburé. Lunch is included, and you can rent an ATV to explore the area on your own.
- Details: Pick-up at 8 am, return before sunset.
- Price: R$80 for the tour; ATV rental R$50 (fits two people).
Trekking Through Lençóis Maranhenses National Park:
For those who want a deeper connection with the park, a 3-4 day trek offers the chance to explore the dunes, lagoons, wildlife, and local villages on foot.
When to Visit Lençóis Maranhenses
Timing your visit to Lençóis is key because the landscape changes dramatically with the seasons. During the rainy season, the lagoons fill up, creating the park’s iconic views. During the dry season, blooming flowers take over the shallow ponds.
Rainy Season: January/February to May
Dry Season: May to December
Best Time to Visit Lençóis Maranhenses
The best time to visit is between April and September, when the lagoons are full but the rains have slowed. July and August are peak months, while September is ideal for kitesurfing. We visited in March—the lagoons were full, but we did have to deal with some muddy roads and occasional rain.
How to Get to Lençóis Maranhenses
Reaching Lençóis can be a bit challenging and pricey due to the domestic flight required, but its remote location is what keeps it pristine and less crowded with tourists.
The closest airport is São Luís, about a 4-hour drive from the park. The ride costs around R$70 in a comfy van with a food stop.
Many visitors combine Lençóis with Jericoacoara, about 7-8 hours away. The ride from Jeri costs around R$200-250 per person in a shared jeep. Check out this 9-day itinerary for the best way to combine both.
Jericoacoara
Recommended Route:
Fly to Fortaleza → Transfer to Jericoacoara (5 hours) → Stay in Jericoacoara → Transfer to Lençóis (8 hours to Barreirinhas) → Stay in Barreirinhas → Transfer to São Luís (4 hours) → Fly from São Luís. Or vice versa.
Important Tip: Avoid night transfers. While it might save on accommodation costs and let you sleep during the ride, it’s not the safest option. Roads can be dark, rainy, and hazardous. Drivers often go long stretches without proper rest, which can be risky.
Prices and Agencies:
Jeri to Lençóis: R$200-250
Unitur Vigens +55 88 9746-4536
Lençóis to São Luís: R$70
Faiker +55 98 8884-6587
Where to Stay in Lençóis Maranhenses
Barreirinhas and Santo Amaro are the two main towns near the park. Barreirinhas is larger with better tourist infrastructure, while Santo Amaro is quieter and less developed.
You could also stay in Atins, a small village inside the park that’s popular with kite surfers. It’s a bit of a throwback with limited internet and cell reception. Water and power can be scarce, but if you’re looking to truly unplug, Atins is a little slice of paradise.
We stayed at Porto Preguiças Resort in Barreirinhas, which turned out to be the perfect choice.
This place was a great pick since the town itself doesn’t have much going on, and the weather can be hit or miss. The resort is right by the Rio Preguiças, and the setting is absolutely charming. Rooms are spacious wooden cabanas with hammocks at the entrance.
Expect some insects in the showers and maybe some frogs, lizards, or butterflies in the area. The rooms are spread out, so there’s no wifi in them—only at the reception.
The highlight here is definitely the pool area. There’s a lagoon pool with sand at the bottom, a regular pool (a bit boring, honestly), and a black pool with river water (not really our thing). We spent most of our time at the lagoon pool and loved it. If it rains, there’s also a games area and a basic gym. And yes, there are free ceramic classes!
Don’t miss the fantastic breakfast—think endless fruit, natural juices, bread, pastries, and cakes. While vegan options are a bit limited, I brought along an artichoke dip that came in handy. After breakfast, the hotel’s restaurant is open until evening.
I visited Lençóis with my younger sister during her backpacking trip through South America. We spent 4 nights and 3 days at Porto Preguiças Resort. Here’s a breakdown of our trip and the costs:
Day 1: Leaving Jericoacoara and Arriving at Barreirinhas
Our transfer from Jericoacoara left at noon, and we arrived at the hotel around 8 pm. During the ride, we stopped for lunch and to get cash since there’s no ATM in Jericoacoara. The transfer cost was R$210 each for six people, and we had to cover our luggage to avoid any mishaps.
We got to the resort and spent the evening relaxing in the lobby before calling it a night.
Day 2: Relaxation Time by the Pool
We woke up early to enjoy the hotel’s amazing breakfast at Porto Preguiças Resort. The weather was rainy, so we took the day to relax after our buggy trip and van ride. We participated in a free ceramic “class” offered by the hotel and enjoyed the pools when the rain stopped.
In the evening, we took a taxi to town and had an Italian dinner at La Terrazza Pizzaria. While the vegan options were limited, we enjoyed a Pizza Marinara and some excellent pesto pasta.
Day 3: Blue Lagoon half-day tour
We took a half-day tour to Lagoa Azul and visited three beautiful lagoons. The only hiccup was on the way back when our safari car got stuck in a muddy “lake.” We ended up with dirty water inside the car, which was quite unpleasant. Despite this, the tour was amazing, and we loved the lagoons.
We spent the rest of the day at the pool and had a great açaí bowl at Eco Açaí in town that evening.
Day 4: Day Tour Gone Bad
Feeling better, we decided to go on an ATV ride in Pequenos Lençóis. Unfortunately, we ended up on a customized tour in Grande Lençóis, where we didn’t get to drive the ATV ourselves and were packed with other passengers. It turned into a nightmare.
We paid R$400 for two people and endured hours of uncomfortable riding on the ATV. We swam in one lagoon and had lunch in the village of Atins, but the guide failed to check the timing for the river-sea encounter, and the waterfall visit was also missed.
The ride back was dreadful. We encountered dangerous conditions, including black puddles and a stench. We were exhausted by the time we got back to the hotel around 7 pm, and my back and neck were sore.
Day 5: Flight Over the Park and Check-Out
We got up early and decided to take a 30-minute flight over the park after consulting with the flight agency. It was the best way to end our trip, offering an unforgettable view of the stunning landscape.
We checked out and took a transfer van to São Luís, about a 4-hour drive away, which cost R$70 per person. We spent the night in São Luís as our flight the next day was at 6 am.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Lençóis Maranhenses
The main expense is the domestic flight, but other than that, pousadas and food are much more affordable in this area.
Cost Breakdown (per person):
- Transfer Jericoacoara-Barreirinhas: R$210
- Accommodation (4 nights): R$600
- Food: R$400
- Transfer São Luís airport: R$70
- Flight São Luís-Manaus: R$500
Total Costs for 3 Days, 4 Nights: R$1800 per person
Final Thoughts
Visiting Lençóis Maranhenses is a bit of a splurge, mainly due to the flight costs. However, the stunning scenery, unique experiences, and the tranquil escape make it worth every penny. Plan ahead, and you’ll be rewarded with one of Brazil’s most breathtaking landscapes.
