The Surreal Scenery of Lençois Maranhenses

2025 Groups

Sep 7 - 15
Sep 15 - 24

Duration

7 & 9 Days

Difficulty Level

Challenging

This exclusive itinerary will take you on an unforgettable journey through breathtaking landscapes, from the stunning dunes and lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park to the vibrant colonial capital of Maranhão, São Luís, and charming fishing villages along the way.

You’ll ride by the dunes in 4×4 vehicles, crossing small creeks and sandy trails—an adventure full of excitement and incredible rewards!

The best time to visit is from June to October. We offer two departures dates in September and possibly more options coming soon.
We can also cater to private groups by request. Please send us an email.

Included

Pricing

Package A – 7 nights (September 7th – 15th)

SGL Room – $3,000
DBL Room $2,760

Package B – 9 nights (Sep 15th – Sep 24th)

SGL Room $3,500
DBL Room $3,000

**Prices are per person. Triples and Quad rooms are available upon request, please ask for a quote **

A 30% deposit of the total trip cost will be required at time of booking.

The final balance will be requested 60 days prior to departure.
Cancellations up to 55 days no penalty.
Cancellations 54-35 days before trip start are subject to a 50% cancellation fee.

Cancellations 34 days or less before the trip start are subject to 100% cancellation fee (no refund).

Your trip will be confirmed when minimum numbers are reached, at latest 65 days before departure.

If the trip is canceled by us before this date, a full refund will be issued minus any bank charges.

*** Please Note: All prices are subject to change and are based on availability. ***
***Visa requirements for Brazil are the client’s responsibility ***

Please refer to our General T&C for a full description of our policies

Activies

Explore the magnificent dunes and hidden lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses, each spot more breathtaking than the last.

Cruise along the Preguiça River, stopping in charming villages to meet locals, browse artisanal markets, and savor authentic flavors.

Chase unforgettable sunsets over the dunes and gaze at a sky bursting with stars—nature’s own masterpiece.

Wake up to a magical sunrise and enjoy breakfast on the dunes, surrounded by golden sand and endless horizons around you. Like being in a movie !

Indulge in fresh, organic, and local cuisine, a variety of seafood, authentic dishes and flavors.

Adventure, beauty, and culture come together in an experience you’ll never forget!

Accommodations

Atins – Pousada Irmão Atins
Barreirinhas – Pousada d’Areia
Santo Amaro – Pousada Água Doce

Important information

The Lençois Maranhenses is a wonderful destination for adventure lovers.
We suggest you should be moderately fit and healthy to enjoy this trip better.
You’ll be riding 4X4 vehicles going through rough bumpy roads, crossing creeks and some obstacles, climbing dunes and walking moderate distances on soft sand, which requires some level of endurance.
Travel Insurance is strongly suggested.

Tour Plan

Day 1. Welcome to São Luís!

Arrive and settle into the Brisamar Hotel (transfers not included). The day is yours! Explore at your own pace or join an optional city tour to discover São Luís’ colonial charm, vibrant culture, and stunning architecture. Prefer to relax? Enjoy the beach w/ a cold coconut water and fresh seafood, and the city’s laid-back vibe.

(City tour not included but highly recommended!)

Day 2 - São Luís / Barreirinhas / Atins

Your day begins with a 7:30 AM departure from São Luís, traveling by van to Barreirinhas (260 km, approximately 4 hours on a paved road). We’ll make a stop for a snack (not included) and a bathroom break.

Upon arrival in Barreirinhas, we’ll stop by the agency’s office for itinerary instructions before boarding a speedboat down the scenic Preguiças River. Along the way, we’ll stop at some scenic places like Vassouras, where you can visit the first stretch of dunes and lagoons of Pequenos Lençóis Maranhenses and enjoy lunch (not included).

Next, we’ll hop on a motor boat to visit Mandacaru, the oldest riverside village in the region. Here, we’ll climb to the top of the Preguiças Lighthouse, with breathtaking panoramic views of the entire area, shop for local handmade arts and crafts, and enjoy a delicious cold drink.

From there, we’ll head to a special spot near Atins to witness the spectacular flight of the Guarás birds, a mesmerizing natural show as they paint the sky in shades of red.

As the day winds down, we’ll head to the Atins port and transfer to our lodge in a 4×4 vehicle.

The evening is yours to try the local cuisine of fresh seafood, a cold caipirinha, and enjoy a beautiful sunset by the beach.

Day 3 -Atins / Canto do Atins

Enjoy a delicious breakfast with a variety of organic fruits and juices, a local tapioca, and freshly baked cakes and bread. Enjoy a relaxing morning, visiting the beautiful beaches of Atins. If you’re in a mood for more adventure, we offer some optional fun activities (ask us for prices and availability):
Quad biking to explore the Atins lagoons
Horseback riding along scenic trails
Kayaking through the lush mangroves
A walk to Ponta da Brasília, where you can reach the mouth of the Preguiças River, where the river meets the sea, such a beautiful sight !

After a delicious lunch (not included), around 3pm, we’ll hop into 4×4 trucks and set off to explore the best seasonal lagoons of the Canto do Atins circuit. You’ll enjoy a refreshing swim, walk around the amazing dunes, ending the day with a breathtaking sunset over the dunes. A really one of a kind experience, like being in a movie!

Return to the lodge in the evening, with free time to enjoy a cold drink and the village’s laid-back atmosphere and cuisine.

Day 4 - Atins / Tapuio / Barreirinhas

After having a great breakfast of eggs, tapioca, a variety of organic fruits and juices, we’ll check out from the hotel around 9am and head to the Atins port and board a motorboat toward the Tapuio village, a scenic 1.5-hour journey along the river.

We’ll visit a traditional Casa de Farinha. Our host, Jose Maria and his family, will guide us through the entire process of making Farinha D’água—from harvesting cassava to tasting the freshly made flour, you’ll get to taste the final product !

We’ll hop on the boat again to return to Barreirinhas, where you’ll have time for lunch at one of the riverfront restaurants (not included). The afternoon is free—relax at the lodge or explore the local artisan shops for unique souvenirs.

For those seeking an unforgettable experience, an optional scenic flight over the Lençóis Maranhenses is highly recommended! This is an add on to this trip, 1000% worthy ! Ask us for more details!

The evening is yours to enjoy Barreirinhas’ vibrant nightlife along the Beira Rio.

Day 5 - Barreirinhas/Breakfast at the dunes/Lagoa Bonita and Lagoa Azul

Today’s one of the highlights of this trip! The day begins early at 3:30am departure from the lodge in a 4×4 truck—bring a light jacket, as the morning can be chilly! We’ll cross the Preguiças River by ferry and head toward either the Lagoa Azul or Lagoa Bonita circuit, depending on which lagoons are at their best this season.

We’ll find the perfect spot to witness the breathtaking sunrise over the Lençóis Maranhenses, a magical moment in the vast dunes. To make it even more special, we’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast of fresh fruits, cake, bread, coffee and organic juices on the sand, surrounded by a stunning, endless landscape. You’ll remember this scene forever, I can assure you.

After this unforgettable experience, we’ll explore the nearby lagoons, with plenty of time to swim, relax, and take incredible photos. At 11 AM, we’ll head to a regional restaurant near the dunes for a well-deserved lunch with many delicious options, from fresh seafood to meats and chicken, all locally sourced (not included). After lunch, rest in hammocks under a tree, this is what vacations are for!

Around 3pm, we’ll set off in 4×4 trucks once again to discover a different region of dunes and lagoons, exploring hidden gems of the park. As the day comes to a close, we’ll climb to the top of a dune to take in a breathtaking sunset, soaking in the beauty of this surreal landscape.

After sunset, we’ll return to Barreirinhas the same way, with the evening free to enjoy at your own pace.

Day 6 - Barreirinhas / Santo Amaro / Lagoa do Junco

After a wholesome breakfast, we’ll checkout and head to Santo Amaro around 9am by van (111km, about 2 hours on a paved road). Upon arrival, check in and enjoy lunch (not included).

Around 2pm, we set off from the pousada on an exciting 4×4 ride to explore the Lagoa do Junco Circuit. Some of the drive will takes us over the dunes, offering breathtaking views—one of the perks of Santo Amaro’s proximity to the National Park. You’ll have free time to swim, relax, and capture stunning photos at the lagoons. On the way back to Santo Amaro, we’ll wait to enjoy another amazing sunset, after all, this is what the Lençois is about ! The evening is yours to enjoy a cold drink and more of the authentic local cuisine.

Day 7 - Santo Amaro / Ponta Verde / Mini-Trekking to Lagoa das Emendadas

After a nutritious, homemade breakfast, we set off around 9am on a 4×4 adventure to explore the Ponta Verde region, passing by Lago da Jangada, another stunning and unique landscape. Ponta Verde is a small, charming fishing village known for its warm hospitality and welcoming vibe. The community relies on the waters of Lago do Guapiriba for their livelihood, and the local cuisine is a real treat—especially the delicious Malaysian Shrimp and Blue Crab, when in season.

We’ll take our time to enjoy a refreshing swim in the region’s lagoons, and have some amazing authentic lunch (not included). Around 2pm, we’ll continue by car toward Lagoa das Emendadas. We’ll leave the vehicles and from there, we’ll set on a hike, making stops along the way to swim and relax in the breathtaking blue lagoons.

For a spectacular sunset view, we’ll climb a tall dune, another one for the books! As dusk comes, we’ll begin our return trek, and have the incredible opportunity to witness the starry sky over the Lençóis Maranhenses—on clear nights, you may even spot the Milky Way .

Return to Santo Amaro and enjoy a deserved rest for the evening.

Day 8 - Santo Amaro / Travosa Village (only applies for Package B)sE

After a great breakfast, we’ll go on a scenic hike toward Praia de Santo Amaro. A good portion of the trail takes us over the dunes and along the shores of Lago de Santo Amaro. This is our first opportunity to enjoy the beach in Lençóis Maranhenses, where you can relax, enjoy the stunning scenery, and watch the fisherman at work.

We’ll continue our journey along the beach toward Povoado Travosa, located on the western edge of the National Park. Along the way, you’ll get a glimpse of the well-preserved native life in the region. Once we reach the village, we’ll walk along the tidal flats to meet the local Sarnambi (shellfish) harvest and hear their stories. If conditions allow, we may also spot capuchin monkeys, scarlet ibises, and herons in their natural habitat.

Lunch break and some free relaxing time. If you have a sweet tooth, we highly recommend trying the cocada na telha—a delicious coconut dessert freshly made to order, depending on availability.

We’ll start to head back and enjoy some swimming and unwind. As the sun sets, we begin our trek back to Santo Amaro.

Free night to relax and get some rest.

Day 9 – Santo Amaro / Rancharia / São Luís

We start the day early, leaving the pousada at 8am toward the breathtaking oasis of Rancharia, one of the most stunning spots in Lençóis Maranhenses. Our journey takes us through dunes and forest trails in a 4×4 jeep, followed by a short motorboat ride across a picturesque lake reminiscent of the Pantanal (brazilian swamp)

We’ll arrive at Lagoa da Rancharia, a real oasis formed of pristine lagoons, so you can enjoy the entire morning to swim, relax, and capture amazing photos. A charming, rustic restaurant nearby serves delicious seafood and local authentic dishes for lunch, a real treat (not included).

After a short rest, time to return to Santo Amaro and depart at 4 PM in a van toward São Luís (236 km, approximately 4 hours). Arrival in São Luís is expected around 8 PM.

Drop off at Hotel Beiramar. Free night to enjoy and catch up with all the beautiful sceneries visited!

Day 10 - Departure

11:00 AM – Check out and transfer to the airport. As you depart, take the magic of the Lençois Maranhenses with you— its beauty, its energy, and the unforgettable moments you’ve experienced.

We hope you enjoyed this magical journey and will come back to travel with InnerSol soon! Safe travels, and until next time!

**Please note: Package A is exactly the same as B, minus the Santo Amaro/ Travosa Village day **

Included

Two night stay (first and last) at Brisamar Hotel São Luis with breakfast
Transportation from São Luís to Barreirinhas
Boat ride from Barreirinhas - Atins - Barreirinhas - Guara’s observation
Tour on 4X4 Canto do Atins
Transportation by 4x4 vehicle and boat to Barreirinhas
Cultural tour ( Tapuio and Marcelino)
Tours on 4x4 vehicle to Lagoa Bonita (includes breakfast at the dunes) and Lagoa Azul
Tours on 4x4 vehicle to Lagoa do Junco
Tours on 4x4 vehicle to Ponta Verde and trekking to Lagoa das Esmeraldas
Tours on 4x4 vehicle to Ponta Verde and trekking to Lagoa das Esmeraldas
Tour to the village of Travosa and Santo Amaro beach
Tours on 4x4 vehicle to Lagoa da Rancharia
Transportation to Santo Amaro - Sangue - São Luís
English speaking guide
Bed and breakfast for overnight stays in Barreirinhas, Atins and Santo Amaro with breakfast

Excluded

9 Days

10 Days

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