4-day Lençóis Maranhenses Tour from Atins

PlanetaEXO’s local partner picks you up in São Luís, the capital of Maranhão, at 8 AM and drives north to Barreirinhas, about 260 km away. Roughly 2 hours in, the group stops in Morros to stretch and grab a bite (not included). Barreirinhas is another 2 hours on, and from there you board a speedboat down the Preguiças River.

The first official stop is Vassouras, a fishing village set between the river’s dark water, green vegetation, and white sand. There is time for coconut water, a walk on the dunes, and a swim in the rainwater lagoons. Marmosets live around the village and tend to approach visitors.

The boat continues past more fishing villages and freshwater beaches to Mandacaru and its Preguiças lighthouse, run by the Brazilian Navy since 1940, which is the second stop. The last leg reaches the Port of Atins, where a car takes the group to the pousada for the night.

The morning is yours. Atins Beach is calm and rarely crowded, which makes it a good place to do very little: sunbathe, swim, or walk the sand. The sky above it is usually full of kites, since the wind here draws kiteboarders through most of the year.

Mid-afternoon, the group rides 4x4s to Canto do Atins, the entry point to the national park, where the Preguiças River meets the Atlantic. The contrast of white sand against the blue-green lagoons is the reason most people come.

Later, eat at Restaurante do Sr. Antônio or Restaurante da Dona Luzia, two well-loved spots in Canto do Atins run by siblings. Their signature grilled shrimp with a secret sauce is the usual recommendation (meal is not included). Afterwards, explore the village, look at the stars, or head back to the pousada.

Meals included: Breakfast

The day starts at 9 AM. with a 4×4 ride to Ponta do Mangue, a village next to some of the finest lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses in Atins. You will most likely find Lagoa da Esmeralda, Lagoa da Gorjeta, Lagoa Tropical, and possibly others that have no name yet, since each rainy season rewrites which hollows hold water.

The group returns to the village for lunch (not included). Return to Atins is scheduled for 2 PM leaving the afternoon and evening free.

Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy your last breakfast at Lençóis Maranhenses in Atins and use the free morning to pack and say goodbye to the village.

At 1 PM, our local partner takes you to the Port of Atins, where you board the speedboat back to Barreirinhas and then head back to São Luís (approx. 4-hour drive), arriving around 5:30 PM.

Meals included: Breakfast