If you happen to’re in search of an incredible Brazilian journey vacation spot that’s off the overwhelmed path, look no additional than Lençóis Maranhenses. This unimaginable space is positioned within the northeast of Brazil and is made up of white sand dunes and crystal-clear blue lagoons. It’s positively price including to your journey bucket checklist as this is likely one of the greatest locations to go to in Brazil! On this weblog publish, we are going to present an in depth 7-day Lençóis Maranhenses itinerary. From the place to remain to one of the best issues to do in, this Lençóis Maranhenses journey information will make it easier to plan a incredible journey to this Brazilian gem!

Table of Contents

Different journey guides you may discover helpful…

South America: the last word journey information
One of the best issues to do in Lençóis Maranhenses
An eco-friendly information to visiting the Amazon rainforest
One of the best out of doors adventures to go on in Argentina
20 of one of the best issues to do in Argentina
One of the best issues to do in Central America
One of the best issues to do in Costa Rica
Prime issues to do in Nicaragua
One of the best issues to do in Mexico

Lençóis Maranheses is a nationwide park positioned within the state of Maranhão, within the northeastern area of Brazil. The park is made up of huge sand dunes (lençóis) and freshwater lagoons (maranhenses). It’s a very distinctive place you received’t discover anyplace else on this planet!

This place will not be the best to get to, however I’ve highlighted learn how to get to Lençóis Maranheses on this weblog publish so travellers from close to and much can expertise this pure surprise for themselves.

One of the best time to go to Lençóis Maranhenses is from late June to September when the rains have stopped, and the lagoons are filled with water. Nonetheless, needless to say that is additionally the busiest time of 12 months, so it’s greatest to e-book your lodging and excursions upfront. It’s excessive on Brazilians’ and worldwide travellers’ bucket lists because it’s among the best locations to go to in Brazil.

Earlier than studying on, listed here are some businesses I’d suggest reserving excursions listed on this itinerary with:

Caetes Turismo (Barreirinhas)
G.I Concet Viagens (Barreirinhas)
Nativus (for Atins)
Atins Dunas Tour (Atins)

And in relation to lodging and the place to remain, there are suggestions on the place to remain in Lençóis Maranhenses all through the itinerary.

So with out additional ado, right here is your detailed Lençóis Maranheses journey information for a 7-day itinerary.

A 7-day Lençóis Maranheses itinerary…

Day 1: São Luis and Barreirinhas

Catch a morning flight to São Luis so you’ll be able to benefit from this primary day of travelling; you’ll wish to benefit from your time to discover among the best locations to go to in Brazil!

After arriving within the metropolis of São Luís, make your strategy to the bus station to catch a bus headed to Barreirinhas. The journey will take roughly 4 hours. When you arrive in Barreirinhas, verify into your lodge and loosen up for the remainder of the day.

There are various motels and pousadas (guesthouses) to select from in Barreirinhas, however I like to recommend selecting a lodge barely exterior of city and by the river as this can be a a lot quieter space and lots of the pousadas have decks and pontoons you’ll be able to loosen up on whereas having fun with the river views.

If you happen to haven’t booked a tour on-line or with a tour company already, communicate to reception and ask them to e-book tomorrow’s tour. They’ll then verify what time pick-up is for tomorrow morning (normally round 8-9 am).

I stayed at Pousada Boa Vista and would 100% suggest staying there for the primary a part of your Lençois Maranhenses itinerary. It’s nice by way of affordability. The rooms are easy however have aircon (you’ll need this after an extended day within the solar!), and the meals is scrumptious. The employees are additionally extremely pleasant and useful.

Different pousadas you possibly can keep at:

Day 2: Take a tour of Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up out of your lodge in a 4×4 in your tour round two of the most important lagoons within the Nationwide Park: Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita. This tour, although probably the most touristy, remains to be among the best issues to do in Lençóis Maranheses. No Lençóis Maranhenses journey information can be full with out this tour!

Each of those are proper on the fringe of the park, so they’re straightforward to get to on foot when you get to the doorway into the dunes. However attending to the doorway of the lagoons is an entire totally different story! Be ready for a day of river crossings, dune bashing and off-roading in a jeep, as that is the one strategy to get round right here (it’s a part of the enjoyable!).

The primary cease in your tour will likely be at Lagoa Azul, which is legendary for its beautiful blue waters. You’ll have a while to loosen up right here and dip into the refreshing waters. You’ll additionally get swarmed by little fish who will nibble at your toes (it’s ticklish, however don’t fear, they received’t chunk).

The remainder of the morning will likely be spent exploring the close by dunes and taking refreshing till the jeeps come again to choose you up at round 11:30 am to whisp you off to lunch. Lunch is at a neighborhood restaurant the place you’ll have the prospect to attempt a few of the conventional dishes of Maranhão and take a well-needed break from the warmth.

After lunch (and fairly a little bit of time for digesting!), you’ll get again in your jeep and head to Lagoa Bonita. Lagoa Bonita is likely one of the largest and extra touristy lagoons within the park (there could possibly be properly over 100 jeeps there at sundown directly) BUT that is one of the best a part of the park to be at for sundown, which is why most excursions end right here within the afternoon. It’s a must-do on any Lençois Maranhenses itinerary. The dunes are countless, and most of the people are lazy to make it previous the primary two lagoons, so all it’s good to do is stroll slightly additional and get a dune all to your self.

Phrase of warning: don’t be too removed from the doorway to observe the sundown as you don’t wish to be caught on the again “race to your jeep” rush as quickly because the solar goes down. The very best viewpoint is sort of actually on the prime of the steps of the doorway anyway, so it’s the place to be to soak up the sundown. There aren’t many phrases that may describe the sundown from Lagoa Bonita (however the picture under can). The explanation this tour is unmissable is due to this! Watching the solar go down over Lagoa Bonita is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Lençóis Maranheses and, in all probability, among the best issues to do in Brazil.

Day 3: Boat Tour down Rio Preguiça & arrive in Atins

Time to kill two birds with one stone: attending to your subsequent vacation spot on this Lençois Maranhenses itinerary, the city of Atins, the place you’ll be staying the subsequent couple of nights, and taking the boat tour down Rio Preguiça. You possibly can take your baggage with you, the boat can maintain the suitcases!

There’s additionally an possibility of packing a smaller backpack or suitcase to take with you for the subsequent couple of nights and leaving your bigger suitcase in your lodge should you plan to return to Barreirinhas (ask them if they provide this).

The boat tour takes round three hours in complete and can drop you off proper at your lodge in Atins. On tour, you’ll see a few of the mangroves and get to know slightly bit extra concerning the river ecosystem, in addition to see a few of the animals that stay there. You’ll additionally cease within the two native fishing villages of Caburé and Mandacaru, the place you’ll be able to discover a bit, climb as much as the highest of the lighthouse, purchase some souvenirs or attempt some açai!

The final cease on the boat tour will likely be Atins. Your lodge can have organised a 4×4 or quad to choose you and your baggage up. There are not any roads in Atins, the whole lot is simply sand, so the one strategy to get round is by quad or jeep.

Atins is sort of a small village, however there’s sufficient to maintain you busy for the subsequent couple of days. There are a number of eating places, a few bars and some memento outlets. There’s additionally a wonderful seashore which is nice for swimming, sunbathing or stress-free with a e-book. It’s additionally proper on the sting of the nationwide park so you’ll be able to discover {that a} bit too!

For the remainder of the afternoon, I might suggest both having a relaxing one and heading all the way down to the seashore to take a seat again on a chair and watch the kitesurfers till sundown or occurring a sundown horse driving tour! Sempre Atins is the one firm that runs these excursions, and the worth for the sundown tour is R$540 per individual. I’ve included this experience in my greatest issues to do in Lençóis Maranheses weblog (which you’ll learn right here), because it’s actually EPIC.

The place to remain in Atins:

Day 4: Exploring Canto de Atins

If you happen to’re feeling lively, e-book your self onto a mid-morning quad bike tour to discover the dunes on this aspect of the park, or should you really feel like hitting the water, you’ll be able to e-book your self onto a kite-surfing lesson. Vila Guara presents classes for inexperienced persons and likewise lends out tools for extra skilled kitesurfers.

Alternatively, if the previous couple of days of your Lençois Maranhenses itinerary have caught up with you, you possibly can all the time take the morning to your self to have a late breakfast by the seashore and end up a sunlounger in one of many seashore cabanas to lie on for the remainder of the morning. Atins seashore actually looks like slightly piece of paradise, and stress-free on the seashore with an açai bowl in hand is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Lençóis Maranheses should you ask me.

After your chosen morning exercise, take a second to have some lunch; there are a lot of seashore huts dotted alongside the bay and decide one which takes your fancy. Charme Beach Bar is the stylish place to be should you’re in search of a little bit of a buzz, however all of the eating places down the seashore serve up recent seafood if that’s what you’re craving.

After lunch, it’s time to move again into the dunes to discover the lagoons additional into the Park, known as Canto de Atins. Be sure you e-book onto the tour that takes you to Lagoa do Gaveāo in addition to Lagoa das Sete Mulheres, these are the 2 greatest lagoons to go to in Atins, and no Lençóis Maranheses journey information can be full with out it. This tour will take about 4hrs, and decide time will likely be between 2-2:30 pm.

You’ll spend the remainder of the afternoon swimming within the lagoons, stress-free on the dune or simply taking within the views. You’ll discover this a part of the park is MUCH quieter than the primary tour in Barreirinhas to Lagoa Bonita and Lagoa Azul.

The tour information will drop you again in Atins simply after sundown, the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from a quiet dinner at one of many eating places on the town. If you happen to fancy it, there’s additionally a bar with stay music some nights. Test together with your lodge reception to see what’s occurring throughout your keep (that is normally at Jungle restaurant bar, although!)

Eating places I’d suggest:

Day 5 & 6: In a single day keep in Santo Amaro

After seeing the dunes on each these sides of the park, you have to be considering, “it may possibly’t get higher than this?!” However, let me inform you, it may possibly! Santo Amaro is the furthest village into the park, and it’s the place you’ll discover probably the most stunning dunes, lagoons and seashores. This Lençóis Maranheses itinerary needed to embrace no less than in the future in Santo Amaro! (If you happen to’re staying for longer than seven days, I’d suggest a second evening right here!)

The one strategy to Santo Amaro is by 4×4 from Atins. There are various tour corporations in Atins that supply a switch service to Santo Amaro. Ask your lodge to contact them and e-book this for you. The switch will take about an hour, and the worth is normally round R$120 per individual.

When you arrive in Santo Amaro, verify into your lodge (I like to recommend Vila do Junco) and take a second to settle in and stroll by means of the village (it’s small and received’t take lengthy).

Seize a chunk at one of many native restraunts for lunch, like Pousada Agua Doce or Pousada Cajueiro, earlier than setting off into the dunes to go to Lagoa da Gaivota and Lagoas das Andorrinhas. It is a 3hr tour and, as all the time, takes you to wash in some stunning lagoons earlier than taking you to the highest of the tallest dune to soak up the sundown views. (I hope you’re not sick of this Lençóis Maranheses journey information but!)

For dinner, I like to recommend heading to Rancho das Dunas as they do a incredible seafood moqueca (a conventional Brazilian dish).

Get an early evening, as the subsequent day will likely be an extended day.

On the second half of your in a single day keep in Santo Amaro, you may be doing fairly a little bit of trekking as you head to a particular (and closing) lagoon: Lagoa Emendadas. It is a half-day tour and requires a sure stage of health as you’ll be trekking 2 hours to get to the lagoon and two hours again.

The Lagoa Emendadas is a novel lagoon as a result of it’s one of many solely lagoons within the park that doesn’t dry up through the dry season, and because it’s one of many few excursions that require fairly a little bit of climbing, it’s additionally one of many much less touristy lagoons.

Be sure you take loads of water, sunscreen and bug repellent with you as there are not any amenities on the lagoon itself.

After your time on the Lagoa Emendadas, it’ll be time to begin making your method again to the place you began: Barreirinhas!

Day 7: Sobrevoo over the Nationwide Park and again to São Luis

It wouldn’t be an entire Lençóis Maranheses itinerary with out the enduring sobrevoo (flight) over the Nationwide Park. That is one of the simplest ways to see the size of the dunes and lagoons, get some superb aerial pictures and actually end the journey on a excessive (fairly actually, on this case).

Two corporations function flights over Lençois Maranhenses: AVA Sobrevoos and Voar Fotografia Space. Nonetheless, the best strategy to e-book is thru a tour firm, like G.I Connect and Sunrise Tour.

There are totally different routes you’ll be able to take for this flight, and I’ve written extra about them on this weblog publish that highlights one of the best issues to do in Lençóis Maranheses. Costs for the sobrevoo over the Nationwide Park begin at R$450 for a 30min flight and might take as much as 4 or 6 folks relying on the airplane’s dimension.

After your early morning sobrevoo, it’ll be time to take a look at of your lodge and make your method again to São Luis in your subsequent flight (this can be a flight again house or wherever your subsequent vacation spot in Brazil could also be!).

I hope you loved this Lençóis Maranhenses itinerary and that it impressed you to go to this actually distinctive and magical place! It’s an absolute must-visit and among the best locations to go to in Brazil.

Discovered this Lençóis Maranhenses journey information helpful? Bookmark this web page and share it with your folks!

Wanting past a 7-day Lençois Maranhenses itinerary? This weblog on one of the best issues to do in Lençóis Maranhenses offers you extra inspiration on what to do.