4-day Lençóis Maranhenses Tour from Atins

Departure from São Luis at 8 a.m.

The adventure in Lençóis Maranhenses begins at 8 a.m. Our staff will pick you up in São Luís, capital of Maranhão, and head to Barreirinhas, a town in the north of the state, about 260 km (161 miles) away.

Halfway through the car ride, about two hours in, the group will stop in Morros to stretch our legs and grab a bite (meal not included). You won’t stay long in this charming little town, but you can still enjoy the fresh air, the picturesque architecture and the beauty of the tress while you’re there. 

After going back on the road, the group will get to Barreirinhas in a couple of hours. Sailing down the Preguiças River on a speedboat, you’ll see palm trees and mangroves adorning the riverbanks. It’s a gorgeous sight, so get your camera ready!

On the right side of the river is Vassouras, a fisherman village nestled right in the middle of the dark waters of Preguiças River, the vibrant green vegetation and sparkly white sand. This is the first official stop, where you’ll get to enjoy refreshing coconut water, walk around the dunes and bathe in the rainwater lagoons. Little marmoset monkeys tend to play and interact with humans, which makes the experience even more exciting!

Continuing the journey, the group will pass by other fisherman villages, more sand dunes and freshwater beaches until we reach Mandacaru, where famous Preguiças Lighthouse lives. The 114-feet lighthouse is run by The Brazilian Navy since 1940 and welcomes visitors all day. This is our second stop!

Finally, the speedboat will get everyone to Port of Atins. A car will be waiting to take the group to the inn where we’ll spend the night in Atins, the hotspot village of Lençóis Maranhenses.

After a delicious breakfast, you’ll be free to enjoy the beach near the inn. Atins Beach (Praia de Atins) is calm and not very crowded, perfect for a lazy morning. On the white, fluffy sand, you can get a tan, take a nap or a relaxing walk. Make sure to also enjoy the crystal clear water by swimming or simply letting the waves soothe you. The sky is intensely blue and often colored by dozens of kiteboarding kites.

At 3 p.m., the group will jump in 4×4 cars to get to Canto do Atins, the entry point to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, where Rio Preguiças meets the Atlantic Ocean. This is, without a doubt, one of the most treasured places of Lençóis Maranhenses in Atins. The dunes’ beauty is otherworldly, and the contrast of the white sand with the blue-green lagoons is a feast for the eyes. Take your time to swim, contemplate the view, and share this wonderful moment with friends and family.

In the late afternoon, you can choose to have dinner in Restaurante do Senhor Antônio or Restaurante da Dona Luzia, two of the most beloved restaurants in Canto do Atins. The funny thing is that the owners are siblings and serve pretty much the same food. They usually recommend their signature dish – grilled shrimp with a secret sauce –, but the menu has many others Brazilian dishes you should definitely try. Please notice: this meal is not included in the price of the trip. 

After dinner, explore the village, admire the starry sky or rest at the inn.

Our third day starts at 9 a.m. In 4×4 vehicles, we’ll ride to Ponta do Mangue village to visit some of the most beautiful lagoons in Lençóis Maranhenses (Atins). You’ll likely encounter Lagoa da Esmeralda, Lagoa da Gorjeta and Lagoa Tropical, but since the lagoons are formed by rainwater, you might see new ones that aren’t even named yet. Either way, diving into those crystal clear waters and then resting on the sand is always an unforgettable experience.

The group will then go back to the village to have lunch. The local cuisine is mostly based on fish and chicken recipes, but there are other delicious options with meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes. This meal in not included in the tour – make sure to talk to our staff so they can get your reservations at the restaurant.

Take your time to eat and explore Ponta do Mangue. The return to Atins is scheduled at 2 p.m. Free afternoon and evening.

The fourth day of your Lençóis Maranhenses Atins Tour starts will a hearty breakfast. This is your final chance to enjoy Brazilian flavors, so savor every bite! Your morning will be free to finish packing and revel in the last moments of this beautiful experience. 

At 1 p.m., our staff will take you to Port of Atins. You’ll get aboard a speedboat to Barreirinhas and then return to São Luís (4-hour car ride).

🏁 Arrival in São Luis around 5:30 p.m.