6-day Route of Emotions: from Lençóis to Jericoacoara trip

Departure from São Luís do Maranhão at 8.30 am

Welcome to your Brazil adventure in Route of Emotions! At 8:30 a.m., the group will leave São Luís, the capital of Maranhão, towards the town of Barreirinhas. The 260 km drive takes over four hours, so get comfy and enjoy the ride.

When you arrive, you’ll have time to settle into your accommodation, grab a bite, and rest for a bit. Around 3:30 p.m., the group will hop in a car to cross the Preguiças River and finally reach Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. The drive, which includes crossing a bridge, takes about 40 to 50 minutes.

At this time of day, the sun isn’t as bright, which makes it perfect for a light hike in the sand dunes and swimming in Lagoa Azul, one of the most beloved rainwater lagoons in Lençóis.

After the sunset – an experience in itself, get your cameras ready –, while everyone is graced by the beautiful view of the dunes, local snacks and a charcuterie board will be served.

The stars begin to brighten the dark sky by 7 p.m., creating a mesmerizing spectacle impossible to see in big cities. The view is jaw-dropping – you can perfectly see the sparkly streak of the Milky Way cutting through the atmosphere in a beautiful canvas of dark blue and glimmer white. It might just bring tears to your eyes.

This is a once in a lifetime moment for many people, so make sure to savor every second of it before it’s time to go back to Barreirinhas, at 8 p.m.ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

• São Luís → Barreirinhas: 4 hours – 260 km (car)
• Barreirinhas → Lençóis Maranhenses → Barreirinhas: Around 2 hours  in total (car)

After eating a delicious breakfast at the inn, it’s time to sail across Preguiças River again. At 8.30 a.m. there will be a transfer from the hotel/Port of Barreirinhas. During the journey, make sure to admire the gorgeous scenery of native vegetation, including a fascinating mix of palm trees and mangroves.

In a few minutes, the group will arrive in Vassouras, a must-see area in Lençóis Maranhenses where you can explore the beach, cool off in the lagoons and interact with little capuchin monkeys that roam free around the village (don’t feed the monkeys).

Following the right side of Preguiças River, you’ll pass by three fisherman villages – Espadarte, Morro do Boi and Moitas –, where more beautiful beaches and sand dunes await. The goal is reaching the fourth village, Mandacaru, where Preguiças Lighthouse is located.

By visiting the lighthouse, travelers are gifted with a breathtaking panoramic view of white sand, lush green vegetation, the river and the Atlantic Ocean.

On a speedboat, our tour will take us to Atins Beach, a freshwater beach in Lençóis Maranhenses. When it’s time for lunch (not included), talk to the staff and ask for recommendations on the best restaurants in the region. All of them serve amazing Brazilian food, made fresh every day with high quality, local ingredients.

Free time to enjoy the beach until we return to Barreirinhas at 3 p.m.ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

• Preguiças River route (30 km – speedboat): Barreirinhas → Vassouras → Mandacaru → Praia do Atins → Barreirinhas

The third day of Route of Emotions begins a little later, at 9 a.m. – enough time to sleep some more and thoroughly enjoy your breakfast!

On a 4×4 vehicle, we’ll drive to Parnaíba, a watercourse between the states of Maranhão and Piauí. Before we get there, the group will stop one last time in Lençóis Maranhenses, more precisely in the town of Paulino Neves. Take the chance to capture lots of pictures and appreciate the view!

Arrival in Parnaíba is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., but we’ll leave for Porto dos Tatus, in Piauí, a couple of hours later. This is our starting point to see some natural attractions, including the water channels of the Parnaíba Delta, the sand dunes at Morro do Meio, and flocks of scarlet ibises – stunning birds with bright red feathers.

In the late afternoon, when the sun sets, the birds fly to their nests to rest for the night, creating a wonderful show that can make any wildlife lover’s day.

The group transfers back to Porto dos Tatus and the accommodation shortly after.ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

• Barreirinhas → Parnaíba: 180 km, the total duration is about 3 hours (car) Parnaíba → Porto dos Tatus → Parnaíba: The total duration is around 50 minutes (car)

At 9 a.m., don’t forget to eat a hearty breakfast before our car drives you to Coreaú River, in Ceará. We’ll arrive in Ilha do Amor (Love Island) and then get a second vehicle to Tatajuba, a beautiful beach where we can hang hammocks in the sea for a relaxing time.

Once we’re done with lunch (not included), you’ll get back on the ferry and sail to Guriú Beach, where clear sand, blue-green sea, coconut plantations and mangroves share the same space. Travelers also have the chance to observe seahorses during an optional activity.

We’ll get to Jericoacoara, one of Brazil’s most exquisite destinations, in time to watch the sunset – an almost mandatory ritual among residents and visitors. During the evening, feel free to explore the village’s gastronomy and nightlife.

• Piauí to Ceará route (210 km, various stops): Parnaíba → Coreaú River → Ilha do Amor → Tatajuba → Guriú Beach → Jericoacoara (4×4 vehicle + boat)

Day five of the Route of Emotions is all about exploring Jericoacoara! At 9 a.m., the group will jump on a dune buggy to follow down the sandy path towards Pedra Furada, an arched rock formation with a hole in the middle – all naturally sculpted by the wind and the sea.

After some time to meet the place and take pictures, you’ll drive across the dunes of Jericoacoara National Park until reaching Lagoa do Paraíso, a jaw-dropping, crystal-clear lagoon, followed right after by Lagoa Azul, another mesmerizing natural pool. You’ll have enough time to cool off, grab a drink and have lunch (not included).

In the mid-afternoon, it’s time to visit more Jericoacoara postcards. Buraco Azul, Barrinha and Praia do Preá are dream-like scenarios blessed by translucent waters, white sand, palm trees and infinite blue sky. After a day full of adventures and breathtaking landscapes, take a moment to enjoy your last sunset in this paradise before the trip comes to an end.

Our last stop is Vila de Jericoacoara, where you can enjoy the evening in restaurants, bars and the arts and crafts fair.ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

• Jericoacoara itinerary (54 km): Pedra Furada → Lagoa Paraíso → Lagoa Azul → Buraco Azul → Barrinha → Vila de Jericoacoara (dune buggy)

All good things come to an end. On the last day of the Route of Emotions, make sure to savor every bite of your breakfast and admire Jericoacoara’s beauty before it’s time to leave.

Later on, our staff will safely take you to Fortaleza, capital of Ceará. The transfer can be arranged up to 6 hours before your flight, as the journey can take place between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. (lunch not included).ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

• Jericoacoara → Fortaleza: 304 km – 4 hours

Departure time is flexible and can be arranged between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.