-
São Luis
-
Saõ Luis
-
Inns
-
English, Portuguese
-
10
- Hassle-Free Booking
- Handpicked Local Partners
- Sustainable Travel
- Book with Flexibility
About the adventure
Join us in an unforgettable trip to Lençóis Maranhenses, starting from Santo Amaro, a charming village near the entrance of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park! This tour offers the perfect balance of excitement and peacefulness, ideal for families and couples seeking easy walks across the largest dune field in South America.
Experience the thrill of discovery without the intensity of a full trek, making it a relaxing yet adventurous way to explore Lençóis Maranhenses in Santo Amaro. The journey is seamless, with a transfer from São Luís (capital of the state of Maranhão) to the village itself.
You’ll surely be amazed by the beauty of the rainwater lagoons and white send dunes. Far from tourist crowds, this otherworldly place offers an intimate connection with nature unlike anywhere else.
Can’t get enough of Lençóis Maranhenses? Turn this 3-day tour into an extended vacation! You can fully customize your tour and add more days to the schedule. Contact us!
And if you’re looking for more experiences, check all of our Lençóis Maranhenses Tours!
Highlights of the adventure
- Discover Santo Amaro, a secluded village that allows for amazing experiences in Lençóis Maranhenses
- Uncrowded destinations with gorgeous views
- Short walks and 4x4 car tours, perfect for families and couples
- Hassle-free transfers from São Luís to Santo Amaro
Day by day
📍Departure from São Luís at 8 a.m.
A car will pick you up at 8 a.m. in São Luís, capital of the state of Maranhão. The ride to Lançóis Maranhenses in Santo Amaro takes about 4 hours, with a quick snack break halfway through.
Upon arriving at your chosen inn, you’ll have a moment to settle in and explore all the accommodations, but don’t get too comfortable – your adventure will start soon! At 3 p.m., the group will jump in a 4×4 car and ride to Lagoa do Junco.
Getting to the lagoon requires some walking, but no need to worry: the hike is easy and takes place over the white sand dunes. Santo Amaro is near the entrance of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, which allows for wonderful views that seem straight from a movie scene. Don’t forget your camera – you’ll definitely want to capture the moment!
Lagoa do Junco is a breathtaking lagoon with blue-green waters, a sanctuary of tranquility and natural wonders. Swimming is a must – ask our guides for diving masks if needed! –, but you can also relax in the sand and take lots of pictures.
Keep in mind: Lençóis Maranhenses is a lot like a desert – despite the large bodies of water, of course –, which means there’s no place to hide from the sun, just infinite sand dunes. To prevent heat strokes and dehydration, make sure to use sunscreen, wear hats or caps and drink water.
The group will stay at Lagoa do Junco until the sun sets. The view is so impressing it might bring tears to your eyes. After all, there’s nothing more emotional than seeing nature in its purest form.
You’ll start hiking at 9 a.m. towards Ponta Verde, a small village near some of the most beautiful lagoons in Lençóis Maranhenses in Santo Amaro. Regardless of the sand, the trail is covered in vegetation. Ponta Verde is rich when it comes to local plants and fruits, like cashew (from cashew nuts) and mirim (a guava-like berry).
The group will have some time to bathe in Lagoa do Reflexo, a large lagoon with crystal-clear waters that seems to reflect the sky – hence the name, which means “reflection lagoon”. Take your time to swim, get lots of photos to update your social media and fully immerse yourself in this gorgeous scenario.
At lunchtime, we’ll eat in a restaurant in Ponta Verde that overlooks Lagoa Verde, a gorgeous greenish lagoon in Barreirinhas. We recommend fried or grilled shrimp and moqueca de siri (crab stew), but the menu also includes other incredible options of Brazilian food.
Once everyone’s got their bellies full, we’ll go back to the lagoons and stay there until the sun sets.
Hammocks
Get ready to return to São Luís at 9 a.m. Our staff will safely drive you back in a 4×4 vehicle – enjoy the view while you can!
🏁Arrival in São Luís around 1 pm
What is included?
- Round-trip transfers between São Luís and Santo Amaro
- 4x4 vehicle tours around Lençóis Maranhenses (Lagoa do Junco and Ponta Verde)
- Multilingual guides (Portuguese, English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese)
What is not included?
- Flights to São Luís
- Meals not previously mentioned
- Personal expenses
- Accommodation (available for separate purchase)
Frequently Asked Questions
The best time to visit Lençóis Maranhenses is May to September, when the lagoons are full and perfect for swimming. This is when the park’s unforgettable scenery of turquoise lagoons and white dunes appears at its best.
From October to December, lagoons begin to dry and the landscape changes. Between January and April, the rains return, refilling the park, though trails can be muddy and visits more adventurous.
👉 Read our blog post about the best time to visit Lençóis Maranhenses
All visitors arrive first at São Luís (SLZ), the capital of Maranhão. The airport has international status but no regular overseas routes. International travelers connect through Brazilian hubs like São Paulo, Brasília, Recife, or Fortaleza before flying to São Luís.
From São Luís, it is about a 5-hour drive to Santo Amaro, with the final stretch accessible only by 4×4. The village lies right at the edge of the dunes, allowing direct walks into the park and access to quieter lagoons with fewer visitors.
If you choose to stay in the cities around the park, Barreirinhas has the largest selection of hotels and pousadas, making it the most convenient base for first-time visitors. Santo Amaro is quieter, with smaller inns and simple guesthouses right next to the dunes.
Atins offers a rustic beach atmosphere, with boutique inns and eco-lodges popular among kitesurfers and adventurous travelers. Staying in one of these bases allows you to return each night to your accommodation after daily tours in the park.
👉 Explore our full E-book with essential tips for your travel to Lençóis Maranhenses
2 days let you see a glimpse of Lençóis Maranhenses, but you can feel rushed. With 3 days, you can balance visits to lagoons, oases, and villages with time to rest between tours.
For combining different bases, 4-7 days are recommended. This allows deeper exploration and a more complete experience of the park. More days also allow you to connect Lençóis with other destinations through the famous Rota das Emoções, linking Maranhão with the Delta do Parnaíba and Jericoacoara.
To ensure your experience is smooth and comfortable, we’ve prepared a checklist with everything you need to bring:
Clothing and Accessories
- Shirts and pants: Lightweight, quick-drying clothes (long sleeves with UV protection).
- Socks: Bring extra pairs for comfort during consecutive days.
- Hat or cap: Essential for sun protection. A wide-brimmed hat is a bonus.
- Sunglasses with UV protection: To protect your eyes from the intense sunlight.
- Swimwear: To enjoy the lagoons.
- Sandals or trail shoes: Papete sandals or flip-flops are ideal.
- Light rain jacket: Especially from February to June.
- Microfiber towel: Ideal for quick drying.
- Eco-Friendly Sunscreen and Lip Balm with SPF: Protect yourself from the sun without harming the local environment!
- Earplugs: For a peaceful rest at the accommodations.
- Scarf: For sun and sand protection.
Travel Essentials
- Cash: Bring physical cash, as the communities do not accept cards.
- Medications: Don’t forget any regular medications, such as for allergies or pain.
- Sunscreen: We recommend SPF 30 or higher.
- Insect repellent: Essential for areas with rivers or vegetation.
Equipment
- Small backpack (up to 30L): To carry your essentials during the trek.
- Lantern or flashlight: Ideal for any need for light at night.
- Waist bag or fanny pack: For carrying items you need quickly
- Light rain cover: for you and your backpack.
- Snacks: Cereal bars, nuts, and fruits to recharge your energy.
- Hydration: A 1.5L water bottle or a hydration pack.
- Personal hygiene: Shampoo, soap, and basic hygiene items (biodegradable).
- Powerbank: To charge your devices if needed, as electricity is limited in the accommodations.
Packing Tips
- Avoid heavy items like laptops or excess clothing. Less is more!
- The ideal backpack weight is around 4kg (about 8.8 lb).
-
Spectacular experience
By Tamarafrom CanadaSeptember 9, 2025Spectacular experience! Great communication, professional and seamlessly organized from the transfers from & back to Sao Luis to the tour of the stunning Lençóis Maranhenses! Our tour guide Oscar was phenomenal, so personable & interesting. Spectacular experience! Great communication, professional and seamlessly organized from the transfers from & back to Sao Luis to the tour of the stunning Lençóis Maranhenses! Our tour guide Oscar was phenomenal, so personable & interesting. A wealth of information, it’s obvious he takes great pride as a guide and he’s a wealth of information! Feel very fortunate to have had him for our tour. Our dune drivers were amazing at navigating and showing us the best of the dunes and lagoons. The lunch experience with the locals was great and the food was some of the tastiest we’ve had in Brazil! All in all the tour was top notch and we highly recommend! Thanks to all involved 👏🏼 …read more read lessDate of Experience: September 09, 2025 -
We made 3 days trekking from…
By Enricofrom ItalyJuly 27, 2025We made 3 days trekking from barreirinhas to santo amaro. We slept in a guest house in the oasis on the hammocks. We loved the experience, we saw a lot of unforgettable landscapes. The guides We made 3 days trekking from barreirinhas to santo amaro. We slept in a guest house in the oasis on the hammocks. We loved the experience, we saw a lot of unforgettable landscapes. The guides were very friendly and helpful. …read more read lessDate of Experience: July 27, 2025 -
Excellent agency for visits to Lençóis Maranhenses
By Mariangelafrom BrazilJuly 11, 2024
The entire itinerary is followed punctually. The guides and drivers are excellent—kind, responsible, and very knowledgeable about the area. The vehicles are quite comfortable and always stocked with water and fruit. We had a wonderful The entire itinerary is followed punctually. The guides and drivers are excellent—kind, responsible, and very knowledgeable about the area. The vehicles are quite comfortable and always stocked with water and fruit. We had a wonderful picnic with a sunset. I always recommend this agency to my friends who want to visit Lençóis Maranhenses. …read more read less -
Highly recommend this private tour agency, great experience!
By Gloriafrom BrazilMay 10, 2024
This agency only does private tours and is more upscale, with excellent service and a welcoming atmosphere. They were waiting for us right at the guesthouse in the morning, bringing us bottled water. Two staff This agency only does private tours and is more upscale, with excellent service and a welcoming atmosphere. They were waiting for us right at the guesthouse in the morning, bringing us bottled water. Two staff members (driver + guide) took care of the three of us, and from an experience standpoint, the price is very reasonable. Highly recommended! We visited both lakes, and they took us to completely deserted places to enjoy swimming and hiking. I swam while the guide stayed close by for safety, and they also brought swim rings and chairs for our comfort. The experience was fantastic! 👍👍 My friend booked with another agency, and they were 50 minutes late to pick them up. 😂 This agency is reliable and very service-oriented. If anyone is looking for a travel agency, this one is great. If I go again, I would definitely book with them! 👍👍 Plus, they have English speakers. …read more read less -
Excellent Service
By Anafrom BrazilAugust 12, 2023We did transfers and tours with the company. Everything was great, from punctuality to quality. The cars were good, and the guides were very helpful. It was definitely worth it! -
Excellent!
By Luisfrom BrazilJuly 18, 2024
Excellent company to get to know the Lençóis. Always very attentive to my doubts, with the best predisposition. Thank you very much for the excellent attention. -
Sensational!
By Antoniofrom BrazilOctober 13, 2023
Company and employees out of 10! We were served with a mastery that could be an example for many agencies (look, we traveled all over Brazil). Congratulations! They created our personalized itinerary and in just Company and employees out of 10! We were served with a mastery that could be an example for many agencies (look, we traveled all over Brazil). Congratulations! They created our personalized itinerary and in just a few days we received everything correctly, with unparalleled punctuality, we got to know the most beautiful places in Lençóis Maranhenses. The guides, drivers and transport we took, everything was very good! It was one of the best trips we've ever taken. You can trust and rest assured about the service, you won’t regret it! Congratulations, when we return to Lençóis we will already know who to trust! …read more read less -
Sensational! By Antoniofrom BrazilOctober 13, 2023
Company and employees out of 10! We were served with a mastery that could be an example for many agencies (look, we traveled all over Brazil). Congratulations! They created our personalized itinerary and in just Company and employees out of 10! We were served with a mastery that could be an example for many agencies (look, we traveled all over Brazil). Congratulations! They created our personalized itinerary and in just a few days we received everything correctly, with unparalleled punctuality, we got to know the most beautiful places in Lençóis Maranhenses. The guides, drivers and transport we took, everything was very good! It was one of the best trips we've ever taken. You can trust and rest assured about the service, you won’t regret it! Congratulations, when we return to Lençóis we will already know who to trust! …read more read less
-
Excellent! By Luisfrom BrazilJuly 18, 2024
Excellent company to get to know the Lençóis. Always very attentive to my doubts, with the best predisposition. Thank you very much for the excellent attention.
-
Excellent Service By Anafrom BrazilAugust 12, 2023We did transfers and tours with the company. Everything was great, from punctuality to quality. The cars were good, and the guides were very helpful. It was definitely worth it!
Cancelation Policy
-
If you cancel up to 15 days before the start of the tour or extra services, you will receive a full refund, minus any credit card processing fees.
-
For cancellations made 15 days or less before the start date, a partial refund will be issued. In this case, 40% of the total cost will be retained to cover operational, logistical, and partner cancellation fees.
-
Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the start date are non-refundable.
