3-day Lençóis Maranhenses Tour from Santo Amaro
Planeta Exo
TripsBrazilLençóis Maranhenses

3-day Lençóis Maranhenses Tour from Santo Amaro

Brazil
2 Nights·3 Days
Lençóis Maranhenses4x4 & Overland ExpeditionsComfort Adventures

Overview

Experience the serene beauty of Lençóis Maranhenses with a 3-day trip starting from Santo Amaro. Situated right at the edge of the dunes in the park's quieter eastern sector, this small village provides a uniquely peaceful atmosphere far away from the typical crowds, allowing for a deep connection with nature. With short and easy tours, it's a great option for travelers on a tight schedule.

The journey highlights the mesmerizing contrast between the white sand dunes and the crystal-clear rainwater lagoons. During the tour, you will visit some of the park's most breathtaking spots, including Lagoa do Junco, Lagoa do Reflexo, and Lagoa Verde.

  • Full itinerary: 4x4 rides across the dunes and swimming in iconic lagoons.
  • Visits to some of the park's most photographed lagoons (Lagoa do Junco, Ponta Verde, and Lagoa do Reflexo).
  • Easy, scenic walks on the dunes, perfect for travelers looking for relaxation.
  • Uncrowded spots with gorgeous views of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in Santo Amaro.
  • Activities led by highly qualified guides.
  • Round-trip transfer from São Luís in comfortable vehicles.

  • Flexible tour: extend your trip by adding more days to this adventure. Contact us for more information.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Santo Amaro / Lagoa do Junco

  • DrivingSão Luís → Santo Amaro · 245 km (4 hrs)
  • 4x4 transferSanto Amaro → Lagoa do Junco trailhead · 30–40 min
  • HikingShort walk over dunes · ~1 hr · 2 km
  • SwimmingLagoa do Junco · ~2 hrs

Departure from São Luís, Maranhão: PlanetaEXO's local partner will pick you up at your accommodation in São Luís at 8 AM. The road transfer to Santo Amaro takes about 4 hours, with a short break for snacks along the way. The final stretch into the village is only accessible by 4×4.

After check-in at the inn and lunch on your own, the group meets at 3 PM for a 4×4 ride to the Lagoa do Junco trailhead. From there, a short walk over the dunes leads to the lagoon.

Lagoa do Junco is a freshwater pool with clear blue-green water, framed by white dunes. Swimming masks are available on request. The group stays at the lagoon through sunset before returning to the inn for the night.

Lençóis Maranhenses works like a desert—there is no shade on the dunes. Sunscreen, a hat, and at least 1.5 L of water are essential.

Meals included: Breakfast

Aerial top-down view of a lone swimmer floating in shallow, crystal-clear water over a rocky seabed in the Lençóis Maranhenses Santo Amaro region, the figure tiny against the vast green-tinted shallows
An open-top 4x4 vehicle carrying a group of visitors along a sandy track beside a shallow lagoon, with vegetated dunes rising under a blue sky in Lençóis Maranhenses Santo Amaro
A crescent-shaped turquoise lagoon nestled against a sweeping white sand dune under a partly cloudy blue sky in Lençóis Maranhenses Santo Amaro, with the shallow shoreline fading from clear aqua to deep teal
A traveller lies back on a white sand dune in Lençóis Maranhenses Santo Amaro, photographing a large orange sun setting over the horizon with their smartphone
A three-storey colonial building covered in blue-and-white Portuguese azulejo tiles on a cobblestone street in Santo Amaro, with colourful neighbouring facades, parked cars, and locals going about their day at golden hour

Day 2

Ponta Verde / Lagoa do Reflexo

  • HikingPonta Verde circuit · ~3 hrs · 5 km
  • SwimmingLagoa do Reflexo · ~2 hrs
  • Lunch stopPonta Verde village restaurant · ~1.5 hrs

The group sets off around 9 AM toward Ponta Verde, a small fishing village near some of the most beloved lagoons in Lençóis Maranhenses. Unlike the open dune crossings further west, the Ponta Verde circuit passes through vegetated dunes with cashew trees and mirim bushes (a wild guava-like berry).

Lagoa do Reflexo is the main stop—a wide, mirror-like lagoon known for the way it reflects the sky on still days. There is time to swim, rest in the shade, and take photographs before walking on to Ponta Verde for lunch.

After lunch at a restaurant overlooking Lagoa Verde (not included), the group returns to the lagoons and stays through sunset before heading back to the inn.

Meals included: Breakfast

Aerial view of Lençóis Maranhenses Santo Amaro, showing sweeping white sand dunes dotted with turquoise and emerald rainwater lagoons stretching to the horizon, with a single person standing at the water's edge under a blue sky
White sand dunes and shallow rainwater lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses Santo Amaro viewed through a 4x4 vehicle window, with the side mirror reflecting cloudy sky
Silhouette of a woman walking across rippled sand dunes at sunset in Lençóis Maranhenses Santo Amaro, with a shallow lagoon and orange-glowing sky behind her
Rustic driftwood fence and gate at the entrance to Rancho Canoas restaurant and camping in Lençóis Maranhenses Santo Amaro, with thatched-roof huts, flowering shrubs, and guides in blue shirts gathering inside
Wide freshwater lagoon flanked by rippled white sand dunes under a clear blue sky in Lençóis Maranhenses Santo Amaro, with scattered green vegetation on the far dune ridge

Day 3

Departure

  • DriveSanto Amaro → São Luís · 245 km (4 hrs)
  • DepartureSanto Amaro → São Luís airport or hotel · 9 AM start · ~1 PM arrival

Say goodbye to Lençóis before transferring back to the city in the morning. PlanetaEXO's local partner will drive you back to the airport or your hotel in São Luís at 9 AM, with expected arrival in the capital around 1 PM. The 4×4 stretch covers the first part of the route before connecting to the paved highway. We recommend booking onward flights from São Luís for late evening or the following day (in case of road delays).

Meals included: Breakfast

A person sitting alone on a white sand dune in Lençóis Maranhenses Santo Amaro, watching the sun set over a still lagoon fringed with grasses and distant tree line
Vast white sand dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses Santo Amaro stretch to the horizon, with several turquoise and green rainwater lagoons nestled between the dune ridges under a broad blue sky

What is Included

  • Meals: Daily breakfast at the pousada
  • Transfers: Private round-trip São Luís ⇄ Santo Amaro
  • Activities & tours: 4x4 tours to Lagoa do Junco and the Ponta Verde / Lagoa do Reflexo circuits
  • Guide: Multilingual guide on request (English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese)

Not included

  • Flights
  • Accommodation in São Luís
  • Accommodation in Santo Amaro (available for separate purchase)
  • Meals: lunches and dinners
  • Drinks
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, etc.) and tips
  • Any services not previously mentioned

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$ 450/ per person