Complete guide to visiting Lençóis Maranhenses: Tips and essential itinerary

I’ll give you a heads-up: visiting Lençóis Maranhenses isn’t for everyone.

If you're planning a trip to Lençóis, in Brazil, be prepared — after spending a few days there, you’ll fall head over heels for the place. The beauty of the dunes and lagoons, the warmth of the locals, and the rustic charm of the area will captivate you. You’ll return home only to find yourself gazing out the window, daydreaming, “I wish I were in Lençóis.” As every holiday approaches, you’ll wonder, “Is it worth going back to Lençóis?” Every beach you visit will inevitably be compared to Lençóis (which, mind you, isn’t even a beach!). Every sunset you see will pale in comparison to those you witnessed there. At least, that’s what happened to me.

So, if you’re ready to deal with that post-trip longing, go ahead and visit Lencois Maranhenses!

In this post, I’ll share everything you need to know to turn your dream of visiting Lençóis Maranhenses into reality. Come along with me!

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All our posts about traveling in Brazil, be sure to check them out before planing a trip to my home country:

• Brazilian Amazon - How to visit the Amazon Rainforest
• What to do in Alter do Chão: Exploring amazonian beaches and rainforests in Brazil
• What to do in Chapada dos Guimaraes, Mato Grosso
• The best tours to do in Bonito, Brazil, in 4 days
• Ultimate Guide to Bonito: Exploring the Southern Brazilian Pantanal's Hidden Paradise
• Bonito, Brazil with kids: When is the right age to visit?
• Complete guide to visiting Lençóis Maranhenses: Tips and essential itinerary
• What to do in Pirenópolis: ecotourism and history in the interior of Goiás

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What is the best time to visit Lençóis Maranhenses?

The best time to visit Lençóis Maranhenses is between May and September, when the lagoons are full and ideal for swimming.

I’ve been lucky enough to visit Lençóis Maranhenses twice, both times in July (and I plan on going back many more times — I just need the time and money, lol). The landscape was stunning, and the lagoons were perfect for swimming.

However, this period of full lagoons is also the high season. While the lagoons themselves aren’t usually crowded — there are so many of them and so much space that it doesn’t feel busy — the towns, especially Barreirinhas, can get quite crowded. Hotels and restaurants tend to fill up quickly. So, my advice is to book your accommodations in advance and be prepared for a bit of patience and flexibility when you’re in town.

If you’d rather avoid the crowds and get better prices, May and September are great months to visit.

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How to Get to Lençóis Maranhenses

Getting to Lençóis Maranhenses isn’t as complicated as it might seem, but it does require some time and planning.

The closest airport to Lençóis Maranhenses is Sao Luis Airport (SLZ), located in the capital of Maranhão State, which is connected to the main airports in Brazil, such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Salvador and Recife. From São Luís, you’ll need to travel by land to the towns that serve as gateways to the park. There are two main options:

Bus: From what I researched when I traveled, there are daily departures from the São Luís bus station to Barreirinhas . The journey takes about 5 hours.

Group or private transfers: Both times I visited Lençóis, I opted for the convenience of a transfer. The first time, the guesthouse we stayed at in São Luís (Pousada Portas da Amazônia) arranged a private car transfer to Barreirinhas. The second time, we took a minibus to Santo Amaro. The trip to either of these towns takes around 4 hours, with a stop along the way for snacks and bathroom breaks.

It is also possible to get to Lençóis from Parnaíba Airport, in Piauí, which is approximately 180km away.

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Where to Stay in Lençois Maranhenses

Unlike many popular tourist spots, Lençóis Maranhenses still holds on to its simple charm — there are no big resorts or lively party scenes here. Deciding where to stay is an important part of planning your trip, and it can really shape your experience.

There are three main towns that serve as a base for exploring the region: Barreirinhas, Atins and Santo Amaro. Each offers its own unique vibe and a variety of accommodation options.

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Barreirinhas: the main tourist hub

Barreirinhas is the largest town in the region and offers the best infrastructure. You’ll find no shortage of guesthouses, along with several restaurant options and shops. While they might not be fancy, they’ll certainly meet all your needs.

The first time I visited Lençóis, I stayed five nights at Pousada Toca dos Aventureirosa guesthouse located on the banks of the Preguiças River, which had excellent rooms, including those for families (we were traveling in two adults and two kids). It’s walkable to the center of town, but since it’s a bit of a hike, the guesthouse provides transportation throughout the day.

Other options I had shortlisted include Encantes do Nordeste, with its charming chalets and a beautiful pool, and Portal do Sol, also by the river but a bit farther from the center.

If you're more into resorts, the best option is Porto Preguicas Resort. But let me tell you, while a pool sounds great after a day of adventure, I personally think staying at a resort isn’t really necessary when you’ve got the entire Lençóis Maranhenses at your fingertips.

The downside of staying in Barreirinhas is the distance from the entrance to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. You’ll need to take a ferry across the Preguiças River — be prepared for long lines, especially at the end of the day — and drive about thirty minutes on dirt roads to reach the park entrance.

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Atins: for a rustic-chic coastal experience

Atins is a small fishing village by the sea with a laid-back, rustic atmosphere. It's precisely this authentic charm that has made it a favorite among the trendier crowd, which, of course, tends to drive up prices (read: it’s expensive).

Atins is also a fantastic spot for kitesurfing, so if that's your thing, you’ll love it here.

Some of the top accommodation options include Vila Aty Lodge, Pousada Eureka and Pousada Lagoa do Vento. If you’re looking for the exclusivity of a private villa, Casa Buriti is a great choice, with excellent reviews across the platforms.

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Santo Amaro: close to the most beautiful lagoons

Lastly, there's Santo Amaro, which has a much simpler structure compared to Barreirinhas, but offers unbeatable access to some of the most stunning lagoons in Lençóis Maranhenses . Santo Amaro is located right next to the park, so within less than five minutes, you can be soaking in the beauty of the region's best lagoons.

Both times I visited Santo Amaro, I stayed at Pousada Quintal de Areias, a small and charming inn with only four rooms and exceptional service.

Other great options include Pousada Rancho das Dunas and the beautiful Villa Malie.

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Main attractions and things to do in Lençóis Maranhenses

I’ve been lucky enough to visit Lençóis twice. The first time, I spent a week between Barreirinhas and Santo Amaro; the second time, I spent four days in Santo Amaro. Without a doubt, it’s my favorite “beach” destination in Brazil, and truly one of the most unique places in the world.

I put “beach” in quotes because, obviously, Lençóis Maranhenses isn’t a beach. But it has that same Brazilian beachy vibe — summer vacation, sun, heat, water, sand. In short, it offers everything you’d expect from the best beaches in the Brazilian northeast coast, with one major advantage: crystal-clear freshwater!

I absolutely loved swimming in the lagoons. A dip in them is a thousand times better than any beach.

Plus, the lagoons are usually shallow with no currents, making Lençóis Maranhenses an excellent option for traveling with kids.

Honestly, after visiting Lençóis, I only keep going to beaches because, living in São Paulo, I can’t exactly spend the weekend there...

But beyond the lagoons, there are plenty of activities for all kinds of travelers, whether you're looking for adventure or just want to relax and soak in the scenery. Check it out:

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Dunes and Lagoons

Let’s be honest, the main reason you’re coming to Lençóis Maranhenses is to enjoy the lagoons and dunes, right?

There are so many lagoons, countless really, and while I can only recommend a few, you’re sure to discover others that are just as stunning.

Don’t get too caught up in the names of the lagoons. Trust your guide — they’ll know which ones are the best to visit at that time. Depending on the season, and even the specific year, one lagoon may be better than the one I visited, or the one your friend raved about, or the one where that Instagram influencer took the perfect shot.

Still, here are some suggestions:

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Lagoons accessible from Barreirinhas:

• Lagoa Azul: One of the most popular, with incredibly clear waters, perfect for swimming and relaxing. Don’t miss the climb up the dune surrounding the lagoon — the view from the top is absolutely breathtaking!

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• Lagoa Bonita: The climb up the wooden staircase to the top of the dune is a little adventure in itself, and the view from there is one of the most spectacular in all of Lençóis. I even have a photo of my daughters from this spot hanging in my living room!

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• Lagoa do Peixe: A quieter spot, perfect for those looking for a bit more tranquility.

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Lagoons accessible from Santo Amaro:

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• Lagoa da Gaivota: One of the largest and most impressive lagoons in the region, with easy access and typically visited on a half-day tour.

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• Lagoa das Emendadas : Another great option for a half-day tour. The walk takes you through several smaller lagoons and dunes, each more beautiful than the last.

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• Circuito Betania : One of my personal favorites. This is a full-day tour through gorgeous lagoons, with a stop for lunch in a local village.

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• Ponta Verde : Another full-day tour, with stops at several lagoons along the way.

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• Rancharia : One of the longest tours, featuring a boat ride through a lagoon surrounded by stunning vegetation with the most incredible color palette I’ve ever seen.

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What are the tours like through the dunes and lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses?

All tours in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park are guided and take place in off-road vehicles specially adapted for driving on the dunes . You can book these tours online in advance or when you arrive in the town where you're staying — there are agencies in all of them offering similar options. In general, the tours are quite similar, with the main differences being the group size (shared or private) and the level of comfort provided by the tour operator.

Half-day tours typically run from 9 am to 12 pm, or depart at 14:30 pm and return just after sunset, which is around 18 pm (with slight variations depending on the time of year). Full-day tours usually start at 9 am and also return after sunset.

In Santo Amaro, we did all the tours with Junior Bolota, an excellent local guide, you can reach him at +55-98-8506-4490 (whatsapp).

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Night tour of the dunes

From any of the base towns for visiting Lençóis Maranhenses, you can book a night tour of the dunes, offering the chance to gaze at one of the most stunning night skies in Brazil.

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Quad bike tour

On our first trip to Lençóis, we did a quad bike tour through the "Pequenos Lençóis", an area just outside the National Park that is equally beautiful.

This is a full-day tour departing from Barreirinhas, with several stops for swimming, photo ops, and lunch along the way. Each quad can accommodate up to two people, and no prior experience is needed—the guides provide instructions on how to operate the vehicles on the spot. I admit I was a bit nervous, especially since I had my 8-year-old daughter riding on the back, but it turned out to be an amazing adventure and one of the highlights of the trip for her. Of course, only people aged 18 and over are allowed to drive the ATVs.

You’ll find similar quad tours available in Santo Amaro and Atins as well.

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River Tubing Tour on the Formigas River

Tired of visiting dune after lagoon, after dune after lagoon? Okay, maybe it’s hard to get tired of them, but sometimes a change of pace is nice, right?

The river tubing tour along the Formigas River offers just that—a refreshing change of scenery and a different dynamic during your visit to Lençóis Maranhenses.

We did this tour from Barreirinhas on our first visit to Lençóis.

You’ll float down the river on large individual inner tubes (which are essentially tire tubes!), gently carried by the current. As you drift along, you’ll pass through mangroves, palm trees, forests, and small riverside communities.

While I wouldn’t call it a must-do tour, it was a delightful, off-the-beaten-path experience that brought us closer to nature and the local way of life.

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Day trip to Atins

We visited Atins on a day trip from Barreirinhas. With only a week in Lençóis, we chose not to stay in Atins, opting to focus on just two towns as our base.

It turned out to be a perfect day! We started with a lagoon visit in the morning, then arrived in Atins around lunchtime, where we had time to enjoy a delicious meal and relax on the beach, watching the kite surfers in action. On the way back, we stopped at another lagoon for a quick dip.

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Flight of the scarlet ibises (Revoada dos Guarás)

One of the most awe-inspiring tours in Lençóis Maranhenses is the Revoada dos Guarás, or the "flight of the scarlet ibises," where you can witness hundreds of these stunning birds with bright red feathers flying in unison at sunset.

Although the main base for this tour is Barreirinhas, we did it from Santo Amaro during our second visit. Our guide took us to the small town of Primeira Cruz, where we boarded a boat to the river’s mouth. After some time enjoying the beach, we headed to the spot where the scarlet ibises gather to roost for the night.

The tide was low when we visited, so we were a bit far from the trees where the birds were nesting, but it was still an unforgettable experience. If you happen to visit during high tide and get closer to the trees, I have no doubt it’ll be one of the highlights of your trip.

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Flight over the Lençóis Maranhenses

For a completely different and unforgettable perspective, a flight over the Lençóis Maranhenses is one of the most breathtaking experiences you can have. Unfortunately, it didn’t fit our budget, but if you can make it happen, definitely include this tour in your itinerary and let me know if it wasn’t the cherry on top of your Lençóis Maranhenses adventure!

You can take this flight by helicopter from Santo Amaro or by plane or helicopter from Barreirinhas.

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Suggested itineraries

I’ve visited Lençóis Maranhenses twice — once for 7 days and another time for 5. Below are the itineraries I followed, as well as a suggestion for a 10-day trip to the region.

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4 or 5 day itinerary in Lençóis Maranhenses

If your time in Lençóis Maranhenses is limited, I recommend sticking to one town to avoid wasting time traveling between them. My personal pick was Santo Amaro, but any of the three towns — Barreirinhas, Atins, or Santo Amaro — will offer a great experience. Choose the one that suits your style best.

Day 1: Arrival in Sao Luis do Maranhão and transfer to Santo Amaro.

If you arrive in Santo Amaro before 13 PM, you can take a half-day tour of the lagoons. I’d suggest visiting Lagoa Gaivotas, América, or Emendadas.

If you arrive later, you may still have time for the scarlet ibis flight tour. During our second visit, we arrived just in time for lunch, and by 15 PM, we were off on the ibis tour, which left directly from our inn.

Days 2, 3 and 4: These days are all about exploring the lagoons! We opted for the full-day Ponta Verde, Betânia, and Rancharia circuits. The dynamics of the tours are similar: departing around 3 AM, you’ll visit one or two lagoons in the morning, then enjoy a delicious homemade lunch at a riverside village, followed by another lagoon stop in the afternoon. The day wraps up with a stunning sunset over the dunes.

If you only have 4 days, and your flight isn’t until later, you might still have time for a half-day tour in the morning before heading back to São Luís or your next destination.

Day 5: return to São Luis do Maranhão and flight home.

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7-day itinerary in Lençóis Maranhenses

With a week in Lençóis, it’s possible (and I highly recommend) to split your time between two of the three towns surrounding the park. On my first visit, I chose Barreirinhas and Santo Amaro, but feel free to mix and match based on your preferences!

Day 1: Arrival in Sao Luis do Maranhão and transfer to Barreirinhas.

If you arrive in Barreirinhas before 13 PM, you can join an afternoon tour. That’s exactly what we did on our first trip! We got there just in time to take the tour to Lagoa Bonita, returning to Barreirinhas after sunset, which was absolutely magical.

Day 2: day-trip to Atins

Day 3: ATV tour through Pequenos Lençóis.

Day 4: In the morning, tubing along the Preguiças River, or if you prefer, a half-day tour to a lagoon, like Lagoa Azul. In the afternoon, transfer to Santo Amaro.

Days 5 and 6: exploring Santo Amaro lagoons. For full-day tours, I recommend the Ponta Verde, Betânia, and Rancharia circuits; for half-day options, consider Gaivotas, América, or Emendadas.

Day 7: return to São Luís from Maranhao.

If you have an extra day, I suggest taking another full-day tour of the lagoons in either Barreirinhas or Santo Amaro.

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10-day itinerary in Lençóis Maranhenses

With ten days, you can do everything I’ve suggested for 7 days, plus enjoy an additional 3 days in Atins.

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What to pack for Lençóis Maranhenses

Get ready for the sun and heat: The weather in Lençóis is warm and sunny all year round.

There is no shade on the dunes! On some tours, especially those from Santo Amaro, the guides will provide a beach umbrella and chairs. Be sure to check with your guide to see if these items will be available for you.

Light and comfortable clothing is essential. Opt for sun-protective t-shirts, shorts, and swimwear to keep cool during your adventures.

Leave your shoes and sneakers at the hotel — or even better, at home! The best way to explore the dunes is barefoot, and in the villages, flip-flops are perfect.

Don’t forget to pack a hat or cap, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen. A quick-drying towel is also a good idea for those refreshing dips in the lagoons.

And, as I always recommend, travel light! You don’t need much to enjoy Lençóis; simplicity is part of the charm.

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I hope these tips are helpful, and that you enjoy Lençóis Maranhenses as much as I did. Every dune, every lagoon, and every village has something special to offer. It’s the kind of trip that makes you appreciate the simplicity of nature. If you, like me, love to feel the power of nature in its purest form, Lençóis Maranhenses is the ideal destination.

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All our posts about traveling in Brazil, be sure to check them out before planing a trip to my home country:

• Brazilian Amazon - How to visit the Amazon Rainforest
• What to do in Alter do Chão: Exploring amazonian beaches and rainforests in Brazil
• What to do in Chapada dos Guimaraes, Mato Grosso
• The best tours to do in Bonito, Brazil, in 4 days
• Ultimate Guide to Bonito: Exploring the Southern Brazilian Pantanal's Hidden Paradise
• Bonito, Brazil with kids: When is the right age to visit?
• Complete guide to visiting Lençóis Maranhenses: Tips and essential itinerary
• What to do in Pirenópolis: ecotourism and history in the interior of Goiás

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