Discover all the options for getting to Barreirinhas, Atins, and Santo Amaro, the base towns of Lençóis Maranhenses in Brazil
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is located in northeastern Brazil, in the state of Maranhão. You can easily get there from the capital, São Luís, which has the closest international airport, and then head to one of the base cities to start your adventure: Barreirinhas, Atins or Santo Amaro.
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The route is fairly time-consuming, as the final leg requires driving for a few hours to reach your destination. In addition to understanding how to get to Lençóis Maranhenses, it’s important to consider the travel time when planning your trip so you can enjoy every second without facing any unpleasant surprises.
As an ecotourism platform specializing in Lençóis Maranhenses tours, PlanetaEXO has created a comprehensive guide with all the information you need for a smooth transfer. Check it out below!
How to get to São Luís?
Arriving in São Luís, Maranhão, is the first step to traveling to the Lençóis Maranhenses for most national and international visitors.
Marechal Cunha Machado International Airport (SLZ) receives daily flights from some of the largest cities in Brazil, including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belém, Recife, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, and Brasília. Check Google Flights to find the best options.
The only direct international flight — without connecting to any of the cities mentioned above — departs from Lisbon, Portugal, twice a week. The operator is TAP Air Portugal.
How to get to Barreirinhas from São Luís?
Located about 260 km east of São Luís, Barreirinhas is the primary gateway to Lençóis Maranhenses, the city with the best infrastructure, and the starting point for many tours.
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By bus
Operated by Expresso Guanabara and Crisbell, the bus ride from the Center Bus Station of São Luís to Barreirinhas takes 4–5 hours.
You’ll get off at Av. Rodoviário Canequinho or Av. 31 de Março, depending on the itinerary. Both locations offer easy access to the national park.
👉 Read more: When is the best time to visit Lençóis Maranhenses?
By car
Rent a car at São Luís Airport (SLZ) and drive to Barreirinhas for roughly 4 hours. Rental agencies like Unidas, Movida and Localiza are reliable options for rentals.
By shared van
Shared van services are cost-effective and convenient, providing comfort and safety for travelers who just want to sit back and relax.
FrankTur (WhatsApp: +55 98 99167-7766) is an experienced operator that offers daily transfers for a fixed rate (contact them to inquire about prices):
- São Luís → Barreirinhas: Departures at 03:30 AM, 8:00 AM, 02:30 PM, and 05:00 PM.
- Barreirinhas → São Luís: Departures at 06:00 AM, 09:00 AM, 02:00 PM, and 04:30 PM.
By private transfer
For greater flexibility and privacy, consider a private transfer (São Luís ⇌ Barreirinhas, approx. 4h). Pricing details are as follows:
- Car (4 seats): R$ 1.062,50 (day) / R$ 1.187,50 (evening)
- Mini van (6 seats): R$ 1.375 (day) / R$ 1.500 (evening)
- Van (15 seats): R$ 2.500 (general)
Private shuttle services are provided by PlanetaEXO. Contact us for more information!
By plane
Although Barreirinhas Municipal Airport (BRB) is the closest airport to Lençóis Maranhenses, commercial flights have been suspended since March 2025, but it still operates for executive and charter aircrafts.
PlanetaEXO can arrange chartered flights for your best convenience. Contact us for more information!
How to get to Atins from São Luís?
If you want to know how to get to Lençóis Maranhenses, it’s important to understand how to access it via Atins, a peaceful fishing village located in Barreirinhas, in a more isolated part of the national park. Naturally, you need to go to Barreirinhas and then move along to Atins.
By boat
The boat trip from Barreirinhas along the Preguiças River takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The slower pace of the journey is a way to get into the peaceful atmosphere of Atins and appreciate the beautiful natural landscapes.
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Here are a couple of options:
- Shared boat transfer: K-BEÇA TURISMO (WhatsApp: +55 98 8827-7715) offers daily group departures from Atins to Barreirinhas at 07:00 AM and from Barreirinhas to Atins at 12:30 PM. Contact them to inquire about prices
- Private boat transfer: For more privacy and flexibility, contact PlanetaEXO to book your private transfer.
By 4×4 Vehicle
Another option is to drive from Barreirinhas in a 4×4 vehicle. The 1-hour ride can be a little bumpy, but it’s an exciting way to reach the Lençóis Maranhenses and contemplate its natural beauty.
- Shared Transfer: Monalisa Atins (WhatsApp: +55 98 9101-0124) offers 4×4 rides between Barreirinhas and Atins at 05:00 AM, 09:00 AM, and 02:00 PM. Contact them to inquire about prices.
- Private Transfer: For more privacy and flexibility, contact PlanetaEXO to book your private transfer.
How to get to Santo Amaro from São Luís?
Santo Amaro is the quietest and most remote base city in the national park. Located 237 km southeast of São Luís, it serves as the endpoint for several Lençóis Maranhenses treks. It’s a great alternative for those seeking less tourist activity and total disconnection from the outside world.
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By car
Rent a car at São Luís airport from companies such as Unidas, Movida or Localiza and drive for about 3 hours and 45 minutes to Santo Amaro. Since there are no car rental agencies in the city, you will need to take the vehicle back to the capital.
By shared van
Shared vans are practical options for travelers looking for budget-friendly transfers. With trips lasting 3 hours and 30 minutes, the operator Paperinho da Van (WhatsApp: +55 98 98468-4146) offers daily departures at fixed individual rates (contact them to inquire about prices):
- São Luís → Santo Amaro: Departures at 04:00 AM, 01:00 PM, and 04:00 PM.
- Santo Amaro → São Luís: Departures at 05:00 AM, 09:00 AM, and 02:00 PM.
By private transfer
For those seeking greater flexibility, booking a private transfer (Santo Amaro ⇌ São Luís, approx. 4h) is a great option. Costs are as follows:
- Car (4 seats): R$ 1.125 (day) / R$ 1.250 (evening)
- Mini van (6 seats): R$ 1.437,50 (day) / R$ 1.562,50 (evening)
- Van (15 seats): R$ 2.750 (general)
Private shuttle services are provided by PlanetaEXO. Contact us for more information!
How to get to Barreirinhas from Jericoacoara?
Now that you know how to get to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park from São Luís, it’s time to understand how to access it via Jijoca de Jericoacoara, in the state of Ceará.
Jericoacoara is a paradisiacal village known for its pristine beaches and gorgeous rock formations. It’s part of the Route of Emotions, a 6-day tour that also includes Delta do Parnaíba, in Piauí, and Lençóis Maranhenses.
Due to the natural beauty and considerable proximity between Lençóis and Jericoacoara (382 km), it’s common for travelers to move between both to further enjoy their vacations in the Brazilian Northeast.
By car
The drive from Jericoacoara to Barreirinhas takes around 7 hours. You can rent a car at agencies like Localiza and drop it off in São Luís by the end of your trip.
By shared or private transfer
Rota Combo (WhatsApp: +55 86 99993-0111) is one of the main operators on the Jericoacoara-Barreirinhas route, offering group or private shuttle services at various schedules and individual fixed rates (contact them to inquire about prices).
How to get to Lençóis Maranhenses from Rio and São Paulo
Most foreign tourists land in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo to reach Lençóis Maranhenses, as these are the biggest cities in Brazil.
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From Rio, flights depart from Galeão Airport (GIG) to São Luís (SLZ) three times a week. From São Paulo, flights to the capital of Maranhão depart daily from Viracopos Airport (VCP) and three times a week from Congonhas (CGH) and Guarulhos (GRU). All flights are served by LATAM, GOL or Azul Airlines.
It’s also possible to go by bus, but the trip is quite long. Departing from the Novo Rio Bus Station to São Luís, the journey takes 2 days and 14 hours. From São Paulo, passengers board at the Tietê Bus Station and arrive in Maranhão in 2 days and 18 hours.
Since there are no options to travel straight to the base cities of Lençóis Maranhenses from Rio or São Paulo’s bus stations, tourists still have to take another bus from São Luís to Barreirinhas (an extra 4–5 hours).
Book your Lençóis Maranhenses trip with PlanetaEXO
Understanding how to get to Lençóis Maranhenses is important to organize your trip, but when you travel with us, all you have to worry about is enjoying yourself!
PlanetaEXO is an ecotourism platform specializing in Lençóis Maranhenses tour. Working with the best local operators, we take care of every step of your vacation, including accommodation, tailor-made itineraries, and transfer options. Contact us now!
