Item: Horseback Riding Lençóis Maranhenses Tour
Rating: 5
Author: lucasribeiro

Tour type

Horseback Riding
Departure from

Santa Amoro
Arrival on

Atins
Accomodation

Hammocks and Tents
Language

Portuguese, English
Group Size

10 people

Price From R$6.075,00 price per person

Hassle-Free Booking
Handpicked Local Partners
Sustainable Travel
Book with Flexibility

About the adventure

Did you ever wonder how special it would be to cross Brazilian sand dunes on a horse? Take the chance and enjoy this three-day Horseback Riding Lençóis Maranhenses Tour! Admire the untouched beauty of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park as you traverse through the remarkable dunes past serene lagoons, reaching quaint oases.

Horseback Riding Lençóis Maranhenses — .

Ride through untouched parts of the park enjoying the incredible views and getting to know marvellous lagoons. Between rhythmic trots and relaxed gallops, you can enjoy a refreshing swim in one of the many crystal-clear lagoons. Staying at welcoming local families enriches your experience with typical, home-cooked meals and gives you the opportunity to connect with the regional culture besides nature. We can also offer you trekking experiences with our 2-day trek or the 4-day Lençois Maranhenses hike, which guarantees an equally unique experience.

The tour seamlessly combines the thrill of horseback riding with an authentic adventure crafted for both experienced riders and beginners, ensuring everyone has fun with safety. It’s a unique way to explore this paradise in the northeast of Brazil. Ready to live this adventure?

Highlights of the adventure

Unspoiled Natural Beauty
Authentic Local Interaction
Thrilling Horseback Rides
Memorable Sunset and Star-gazing Experiences

Day 1 :

Santo Amaro / Queimada dos Britos Community

📍Departure from Santo Amaro at 8 a.m.

On the first day of our 3-day Horseback Riding Lençóis Maranhenses Tour, we pick you up from your lodge at 8 a.m. by 4×4. We then head to the edge of the Park, where the horses will be waiting. By 9 a.m., we’ll begin an incredible horseback ride between Lagoa das Emendadas and Queimada dos Brito, guided by Neto, a native of the oasis. He will lead us to his home for a delicious traditional lunch prepared by his wife, featuring goat or lamb in coconut milk. As we enjoy the meal, Neto will share fascinating stories about the region.

Horse riding in the rivers of the Lençóis Maranhenses region — .

After lunch, we’ll relax in hammocks before continuing our ride through the Queimada dos Brito community. At 3 p.m., we saddle up again to ride through more dunes, past picturesque lagoons, and even cross the Rio Negro River. As the day wraps up, we’ll catch a stunning sunset over the dunes.

We’ll arrive at Mr. Mansur’s house and his family, where we’ll spend the first two nights. This stay offers a unique opportunity to experience the daily life of a typical family in the Lençóis Maranhenses hinterlands. They’ll prepare a delightful dinner, and you’ll sleep in a cozy room. Get excited for another day of adventure on our Horseback Riding Lençóis Maranhenses Tour!

Local village in the heart of the Maranhenses region — Rediscovering The World

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Homestay

Day 02 :

Queimada / Baixa Grande Community

Kick off your day early with a tasty breakfast featuring coffee, eggs, tapioca, and fruits. By morning, you’ll be on a thrilling horseback ride through untouched parts of the park, enjoying the incredible views of the dunes and giant lagoons, including the stunning Black Lagoon and Emerald Lagoon. During the ride, we’ll have time to swim and relax before noon.

Sunrise on horseback in the Lencois Maranhenses desert — .

Come noon, our Horseback Riding Lençóis Maranhenses Tour takes us to Dona Regina’s house in the Baixa Grande Oasis. Mr. Raimundo will prepare a fresh, organic lunch with Tambaqui fish he raised in the pond himself. In the afternoon, we’ll head to Dona Dete’s house for a delicious dinner with duck in brown sauce.

Horseback Riding Lençois Maranhenses Tour — .

To end the day, we’ll celebrate with beers and caipirinhas while listening to stories from Mr. Moacir, born in Baixa Grande, who turned 60 in 2023.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Homestay

Day 03 :

Baixa Grande / Atins

Start the last day of your Horseback Riding Lençóis Maranhenses Tour with a delightful outdoor breakfast, savouring hot coffee and refreshing natural juices. On the last day starts of the crossing, after breakfast, it’s time to prepare for the final horseback ride. The route at Baixa Grande and heads towards the Bonzinho waterfall, where travellers can enjoy the last lagoons and stunning landscapes of the low dunes near the beach. You’ll have the chance to take long gallops on the edges of the Rio Negro and along the beaches of the Lençóis Maranhenses, offering postcard-worthy views.

Traditional house in Lençóis Maranhenses — M Moraes

As we journey on, a car awaits to take the group to Atins, along a scenic route offering incredible views of the Maranhão coast. There’s a stop for lunch at the famous Camarão do Canto de Atins, renowned for its high-quality seafood. Before late afternoon, you will arrive at your lodge in Atins, where you can rest and reminisce about all the adventures experienced during the crossing.

This horseback riding tour through Lençóis Maranhenses can also be done the other way round, starting in Atins and ending in Santo Amaro.

🏁Arrival in Atins around 5:30 pm

Breakfast, Lunch

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand all

When is the best time to visit?

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

How to get to?

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.

👉 Discover the main gateways to Lençóis Maranhenses

Where to stay?

On this horseback adventure, travelers experience a more authentic stay inside the park itself. In the oases like Queimada dos Britos and Baixa Grande, local families host visitors in hammocks, with home-cooked meals and simple facilities.

Camping is also possible on certain routes, offering complete immersion in the dunes under the stars. These options are basic, but they provide an unforgettable connection with the park’s landscapes and its traditional communities.

👉 Explore our full E-book with essential tips for your travel to Lençóis Maranhenses

How many days to spend?

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.

👉 See the ideal trip length for you in Lençóis Maranhenses

What to bring?

To ensure your experience is smooth and comfortable, we’ve prepared a checklist with everything you need to bring:

Clothing and Accessories

Lightweight long pants: Allow for mobility and protect against chafing while riding.
Long-sleeved shirts with UV protection: For added protection from the sun.
Socks: Bring extra pairs for comfort during consecutive days.
Wide-brimmed hat or cap.
Scarf or buff: For protection from sun, sand, and dust.
UV-protective sunglasses: Essential for prolonged sun exposure.
Swimwear: For swimming in lagoons along the route.
Sandals or flip-flops: For when you are not riding.
Closed shoes: Sneakers or light boots for riding.
Lightweight rain jacket: Especially recommended between February and June.
Microfiber towel: Lightweight, compact, and quick-drying.
Sunscreen and lip balm with high SPF: Preferably use biodegradable products.
Insect repellent: Important, especially at dawn and dusk.
Earplugs: To help you rest in shared spaces.

Travel Essentials

Cash: Local communities do not accept cards.
Personal medication: Including medication for ongoing use or emergencies.
Personal hygiene: Shampoo, soap, toothbrush, etc.(biodegradable).
Powerbank: To charge your devices, as access to power is limited.

Equipment

Small backpack (up to 30L): To carry your personal items throughout the day.
Waist bag: Ideal for items you need to access quickly while riding.
Headlamp or flashlight: For use at night or in areas with low light.
Water bottle (minimum 1.5L), or a hydration system.
Light snacks: Cereal bars, nuts, or dried fruit to recharge your batteries.
Light rain cover: For you and your backpack in case of weather changes.

Packing tips

Avoid excess weight. Ideally, your luggage should weigh around 4kg (about 8.8 lb).
If you have extra luggage, consider our partner’s luggage transfer service. They can store your luggage and deliver it to Santo Amaro or Atins. All payments for these services are made in cash.

👉 Read our complete travel guide to Lençóis Maranhenses

Overall Adventure Rating:

5.0

- Based on 1 travel review

Excellent

Very Good

Average

Poor

Terrible

We had an incredible experience with PlanetaEXO.

By Alexandra
from Switzerland
July 18, 2025

We had an incredible expérience with PlanetaEXO. Beatriz and her colleagues organized a fantastic trip for our group in Nordeste : The organization was perfect, the different guides we had were excellent and super nice We had an incredible expérience with PlanetaEXO. Beatriz and her colleagues organized a fantastic trip for our group in Nordeste : The organization was perfect, the different guides we had were excellent and super nice and the horse riding trip in Lençóis was amazing . We have been so lucky ! I would recommend PlanetaEXO at 1000% . It is definitely our best trip ever ! Thank you PlanetaEXO. …read more read less

Date of Experience: July 18, 2025

Horseback Riding Lençóis Maranhenses Tour

Overview

Itinerary

Includes/Excludes

FAQ

Reviews