Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is in northeastern Brazil, in Maranhão state. You can easily get there from São Luís, which has the closest airport, Marechal Cunha Machado International Airport (SLZ).
São Luis is a hub with many flights from cities like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Salvador. The city is well-connected with frequent flights. You can also fly to other international airports nearby. Some options include Fortaleza (FOR), Belém (BEL), and Natal (NAT). From there, you can take a connecting flight to São Luís.
To get to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, you must travel from São Luís to one of the entry points. These entry points include Barreirinhas, Atins, and Santo Amaro. Once you arrive at one of these entry points, you can start your adventure exploring the park.
Below, you will find various transportation options between São Luís and these entry points.
If you are booking a Lençóis Maranhenses tour with PlanetaEXO, our team can assist you in booking private transfers to the locations.
How to get to Barreirinhas from São Luís?
Barreirinhas is the primary gateway to Lençóis Maranhenses and the starting point for many tours. Located about 260 km east of São Luís, here’s how you can reach Barreirinhas:
By Bus
The bus ride takes about 4 to 5 hours with tickets starting at R$60. You can check the timetables and book tickets online on clickbus operated by Expresso Guanabara.
By Car
By renting a car for about R$150 per day you can take the 4-hour drive yourself. Rental agencies like Unidas, Movida, and Hertz offer a variety of options directly from São Luis airport.
By Shared Van
For a cost-effective and convenient transport option from your hotel or airport, consider the shared van service. Frank Tour (WhatsApp +55 98 8417-3434) company offers this service at R$90 per person for daily tours.
- From São Luís to Barreirinhas: Departures at 06:00 AM, 02:00 PM, and 04:00 PM.
- From Barreirinhas to São Luís: Departures at 03:30 AM, 08:00 AM, and 03:00 PM.
They can arrange the pickup and drop off from anywhere in São Luis or Barreirinhas.
By Taxi / Private Transfer
For greater flexibility, consider a private transfer. Pricing details are as follows:
- Car (4 seats): R$820 each way (night hours include an additional R$120)
- Van (15 seats): R$2.058 each way
By Plane
Azul Airlines operates flights to Barrerinhas Municipal Airport (BRB) on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The starting price for one-way tickets is roughly R$1.100 when booked ahead of time. Please note that flight schedules are subject to change, which may affect your travel plans. We recommend checking Google Flights or the Azul Airlines website for the most recent updates.
Those with a larger budget can book private plane charters for groups of up to five people for around R$8.250. This option provides more flexibility for travellers.
How to get to Atins from São Luís?
Atins is a charming fishing village situated in the northern region of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in Brazil. To get to Atins, you need to go to Barreirinhas first. From there, you can reach Atins by choosing one of the following options:
By Boat
From Barreirinhas you’ll take a boat on the Preguiças River. The trip lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes and provides stunning views of the river and surrounding landscapes. Here’s information on the daily boat service:
- Shared Boat Transfer: K-BEÇA TURISMO (WhatsApp +55 98 8827-7715) offers daily departures from Atins to Barreirinhas at 07:00 a.m. and from Barreirinhas to Atins at 12:30 p.m. and costs R$ 80,00 per person.
- Private Boat Transfer: If you are looking for more flexibility, PlanetaEXO can offer private transfers between Barreirinhas and Atins for R$800.
By 4×4 Vehicle
Another option is to drive from Barreirinhas in a 4×4 vehicle. Although the route can be bumpy, it takes around an hour and is an exciting way to see the park. Here is information on the daily transfer service:
- Shared Transfer: Monalisa Atins (WhatsApp at +55 98 9101-0124) 4×4 offers rides between Barreirinhas and Atins for R$120 per person. Departures are at 09:00 a.m. from Barreirinhas and at 05:00 a.m. and 02:00 p.m. from Atins.
- Private Transfer: Looking for more flexibility, PlanetaEXO can provide private transportation between Barreirinhas and Atins for R$850.
How to get to Santo Amaro from São Luís?
Santo Amaro provides a quieter alternative to Barreirinhas, located approximately 237 km southeast of São Luís. It serves as the endpoint for many of our Lençois Maranhenses treks. Here are the various options on how to get to Santo Amaro from São Luís:
By Car
The drive to Santo Amaro takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes. Rental agencies such as Unidas, Movida, and Hertz offer various options directly from the São Luís airport. Since there are no rental agencies in Santo Amaro, you’ll have to get the car back to São Luís yourself.
By Shared Van
For a budget-friendly choice, consider a shared van for the 3.5-hour trip to or from Santo Amaro. Paperinho da Van (WhatsApp +55 98 8468-4146) has daily departures. Here are their schedules:
- From São Luis to Santo Amaro: Departures at 04:00 AM and 01:00 PM
- From Santo Amaro to São Luis: Departures at 05:00 AM and 01:00 PM
They offer flexible pickup and drop-off services from any location in São Luis or Santo Amaro.
By Taxi or Private Transfer
For those seeking greater flexibility, booking a private transfer is an option. Costs are as follows:
- Car with 4 seats – R$882 each way (night hours have an additional R$125)
- Van with 15 seats – R$2.117
How to get to Barreirinhas from Jericoacoara?
There are several transportation options available for travelling from Jericoacoara to Lençóis Maranhenses, with Barreirinhas as your destination. You can choose from cars, planes, shared vans, or taxis. Here’s how you can make the journey:
By Car
The drive from Jericoacoara to Barreirinhas is about 388 km and typically takes around 7 hours. You can rent a car from companies like Localiza. Prices start at R$160 per day. You can pick up the car in Jericoacoara and drop it off in São Luís.
By Plane
You can find weekly flights to Barreirinhas Municipal Airport (BRB). Azul Airlines operates these flights three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The starting price for a one-way ticket is about R$3.000 if you book in advance. Flight schedules can change, so it’s a good idea to check Google Flights or the airline’s website for the latest information.
If you need more flexibility and have a higher budget, private charter flights are available. These flights cost around R$10.470 for a group of up to five people and take about 70 minutes.
By Shared Van
The transfer to Barreirinhas takes 7 hours and 30 minutes. We recommend the following van service from Jericoacoara:
- Rotacombo (WhatsApp: +55 86 9993-0111) offers services on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, departing between 09:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. starting at R$510.
By Taxi Private Transfer
Instead of a shared van, you can also book a private transfer from Jericoacoara to Barreirinhas, one-way or round trip, operating daily at times to be arranged. Rates (one-way) are as follows: up to 4 people for R$2.200, and up to 15 people for R$5.495.
Ready to Discover Brazil’s Sand Dunes?
Now that you know how to get to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, let PlanetaEXO guide you through the rest of your adventure. Join one of our treks through the majestic dunes and serene lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses, enriched by vibrant cultural encounters. Discover more and book your trekking adventure on our Lençóis Maranhenses tours page.
Please note that these are just suggestions and may change. PlanetaEXO has no commercial ties with these recommended companies, many of which primarily speak Portuguese—consider using Google Translate. Always confirm details before planning your trip; last updated on May 3, 2024.
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