The question of how many days in Lençóis Maranhenses is key to planning your adventure. The time you spend here depends on how many days you can dedicate to exploring its lagoons, dunes, remote villages, and unique desert scenery.
You should plan to spend between 2 and 7 days in Lençóis Maranhenses, depending on your availability and the level of immersion you’re looking for. This destination offers multiple opportunities for connection with nature, culture, and adventure. Whether trekking across vast dune fields, relaxing by freshwater lagoons, or engaging with local communities in remote oases, each day reveals a new side of this extraordinary region.
A short 2-day stay offers a quick introduction to the dunes and lagoons. In 3 to 4 days, you can enjoy more immersive treks or relaxed tours starting from Santo Amaro or Atins.
For full immersion, 5 or more days allow you to reach remote oases, cross the park on foot, and even combine Lençóis Maranhenses with other destinations like the Parnaíba Delta or Jericoacoara in Ceará. When asking yourself how many days to spend in Lençóis Maranhenses, consider both travel logistics and the type of experience you want.
Created in 1981, the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park covers 1,550 km² along 70 km of Atlantic coastline, spanning the municipalities of Barreirinhas, Santo Amaro, and Primeira Cruz. In 2024, it earned UNESCO World Heritage status, recognized for its rare combination of coastal dunes, seasonal lagoons, and ecosystems.
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At PlanetaEXO, we specialize in ecotourism in Brazil and offer curated travel packages in Lençóis Maranhenses. This guide will help you understand what’s possible depending on how many days you have.
What Determines How Long You Should Stay in Lençóis Maranhenses?
Logistics and Access
Lençóis Maranhenses is remote, with three main gateways: Barreirinhas, Santo Amaro, and Atins. Reaching the park requires a transfer from São Luís, taking 4 to 6 hours depending on your final destination and transport type. Options include shared vans with fixed schedules or private transfers for more flexibility.
Travelers heading to Atins will need an additional boat or 4×4 leg from Barreirinhas, which may influence how many days you’ll want to allocate for your trip.
Photo: Gabriel Boieras
Season and Weather
The best time to visit is from May to September, when the lagoons are full and ideal for swimming. From October to December, as the lagoons dry up, the landscape shifts to wide open sand fields, offering striking scenery for photography, sunset views, and exploring areas that are harder to reach during the rainy season.
With daytime temperatures ranging from 28°C (82.4°F) to 34°C (93.2°F)year-round, and strong sun with little shade, both the weather and the environment will influence how long you should stay in Lençóis Maranhenses and what kind of experience you’ll have.
Your Travel Style and Pace
Whether you dream of multi-day treks sleeping in hammocks at remote oases, camping among the dunes, or enjoying comfortable inns in Santo Amaro, Barreirinhas, or Atins, there’s an itinerary for every style. Some routes cover up to 70 km on foot, offering full immersion into the park’s dunes and lagoons.
Others include short hikes combined with 4×4 rides, ideal for those seeking less physical effort without missing the region’s natural beauty and cultural richness. Along the way, you’ll also have the chance to visit traditional villages, meet local families, and experience the everyday life and culture of the communities that call Lençóis Maranhenses home.
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Best Lençóis Maranhenses Tours
If you’re still deciding how many days you should stay and which itinerary matches your style, comparing available tours can help. At PlanetaEXO, we offer a diverse selection of experiences, from 2-day trekking adventures to full 5-day crossings and multi-destination journeys like the Route of Emotions.
Each trip is designed in collaboration with local guides and communities, ensuring a meaningful balance of sustainability, cultural connection, and authentic adventure.
Explore the highlights below and choose the itinerary that best fits your schedule, fitness level, and travel goals.
| # of Days | Tour Name | Highlights |
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2 days
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2-Day Lençóis Maranhenses Desert Trip | Approx. 30 km of trekking over 2 days, with an overnight stay at a native home in Baixa Grande. Physically demanding route with lagoon swim stops and sunset dune views. Starts in Barreirinhas and ends in Santo Amaro. |
| 2-Day Trek from Atins | Approx. 12 km over 2 days, starting from Atins and ending at Baixa Grande. Low-difficulty trek is ideal for beginners, with ocean views, hammock accommodation, and morning lagoon swims. | |
| 3 days
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3-Day Lençóis Maranhenses Trek | Approx. 30 km over 3 days, with nights at Baixa Grande and Queimada dos Britos. Moderate trek with sunrise and sunset hikes, wildlife observation, and cultural immersion. Starts and ends in Santo Amaro. |
| Horseback Riding Tour | Approx. 30 km covered on horseback over 3 days, crossing dunes with swim stops. Less physically demanding, no riding experience needed. Includes two nights in Santo Amaro. Starts and ends in Santo Amaro. | |
| 3-Day Tour from Santo Amaro | Base yourself in Santo Amaro with short hikes and 4×4 transfers. Visits Lagoa da Gaivota and Lagoa das Andorinhas. Ideal for families or those preferring shorter walks and private-room accommodation. | |
| 4 days | 4-Day Lençóis Maranhenses Trekking | Approx. 48 km over 4 days, crossing Baixa Grande, Queimada dos Britos, and Lagoa Verde area. Designed for travelers with good fitness seeking remote oases and longer hiking sections. Starts in Barreirinhas and ends in Santo Amaro. |
| 4-Day Tour from Atins | Stay in Atins and combine boat and 4×4 excursions with short hikes to lagoons like Lagoa Verde and Canto do Atins. Ideal for light adventure with fixed accommodation. Starts and ends in Atins. | |
| 5 days | 5-Day Lençóis Maranhenses Hike | Approx. 70 km crossing dunes, oases, and lagoons over 5 days. Full trekking immersion with overnights in native homes, extended walks, and cultural exchange. Starts in Barreirinhas and ends in Santo Amaro. |
| 6 days | Route of Emotions | Lençóis, Delta & Jericoacoara. Adventure through dunes, rivers, and beaches. Includes boat safaris, mangroves, and lagoon swims. Starts in São Luís and ends in Jericoacoara or São Luís. |
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Ready to Plan Your Trip?
Now that you know how many days to spend in Lençóis Maranhenses and the types of tours available, check PlanetaEXO’s personalized packages. We’re here to help you make the most of your journey.
Looking forward to exploring the Lençóis Maranhenses? Send us a message for expert advice and tailored recommendations. Let’s design an unforgettable adventure for you!
