3-day Lençóis Maranhenses Trek

The nearest airport to Lençóis Maranhenses is located in São Luis.

You have multiple options to reach Barreirinhas. You can book a private transfer when finalizing your booking on our platform. Alternatively, more budget-friendly options like shared vans and buses are available, which you can book directly. For more details, please refer to our blog post on how to get to Lençóis Maranhenses.

We offer the convenience of booking a private transfer via our platform. Additionally, there are shared vans that depart at 4:00 am and 1:00 pm every day, which you can book directly. More information is available on our blog.

If you’re traveling with additional luggage that you won’t need during the hike, our partner has you covered. They provide a luggage transfer service from Barreirinhas to Santo Amaro at a cost of R$50 per piece. If you plan to return to Barreirinhas after the trek, our partner also offers luggage storage for R$30 per item. Please note that payments for these services must be made directly in cash on-site.

As a solo traveler, you have multiple ways to book your adventure. You can opt for a “Guaranteed” departure date listed on our website. If those dates don’t align with your schedule, you have the option to start a new group by picking a date of your choice. We recommend doing this as early as possible to enhance the likelihood of your chosen departure being confirmed. When booking, select the “Pay Deposit” method, where you’ll be required to pay a 20% deposit based on a single rate. This will secure your departure, and the remaining balance will be determined by the final group size, invoiced 7 days before your trip starts. Should you decide to cancel due to changes in the group size affecting the cost, a 5% fee will be deducted to cover credit card processing expenses.

Yes, you can book a private group. To do so, please fill out the inquiry form on our platform, and we’ll get back to you with the details.

While most of our guides are not fluent in English, we do our best to accommodate English-speaking guides for international groups. If a bilingual guide is essential for you, we offer the option to book a translator at a cost of R$550 per day.

Mineral water, soft drinks and beer are not included in the package. You can buy them and pay directly to the families where you will be staying.  We recommend that you bring cash, preferably small change.

Our support points offer simple, home-cooked meals that typically include rice, beans, pasta, and a variety of animal proteins like free-range chicken, goat, pork, fish, duck, etc. The availability of these items may vary based on local conditions.

Absolutely! We can cater to various dietary restrictions such as vegetarian diets and food allergies. Please inform us of your needs at the time of booking so we can make the necessary arrangements.

During a trek in Lençóis Maranhenses, the accommodations in the oases are rustic and integrated with nature, aiming to offer an authentic experience. Visitors stay in the homes of local families who reside in the oases. The accommodations are simple and include shared bathrooms. Guests sleep in hammocks, which are placed under covered structures and come with blankets for added comfort. Some of the homes also have beds available that can be arranged on-site and paid for directly to the host.

Most of the journey is on foot, as it’s a hiking tour. However, we do include all necessary transfers from your accommodation in Barreirinhas to the starting point and one at the end to Santo Amaro. Please note that transfers from Santo Amaro to São Luis or back to Barreirinhas are not included in the package.

To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable hike, please consider packing the following items:

• UV-Protective Clothing: For sun protection.
• Hat: To shield your face from the sun.
• Sunglasses: For eye protection.
• Sunscreen: SPF 30 or higher is recommended.
• Rain Gear: A lightweight rain cover for unexpected showers.
• Backpack: A 30L, 40L, or 60L backpack to carry your essentials.
• Trekking Pole: For added stability on uneven terrain.
• Hydration: A 1.5L water bottle or a large hydration pack.
• Swimsuit: For enjoying the lagoons.
• Headlamp: For better visibility in low-light conditions.
• Snacks: Pack cereal bars, nuts, and fruits for quick energy.
• Footwear: Consider sandals like Papetes or Hawaiian flip-flops.
• Socks: For added comfort during the trek.
• Beach Towel: Compact and quick-drying is best.
• Personal Care Items: Basic hygiene products.
• Medications: Any personal prescriptions or over-the-counter meds you may need.

Packing Tips:

• Avoid heavy items like laptops, excessive clothing, and bulky toiletries. Less is more! 
• Aim for a backpack weight around 4kg for optimal comfort.

The best time to visit Lençóis Maranhenses in Brazil largely depends on what you’re looking to experience. Here are some general guidelines:

Lagoon Season: June-September
Best for full lagoons but expect crowds.

Less Crowded: October-November
Fewer tourists; some lagoons may be dry.

Budget-Friendly: December-February
Lower prices, fewer lagoons, and more rain.

Read more in our blog, when is the best time to visit Lençois Maranhenses

We aim to provide a personalized experience by assigning one guide for every 8 people. If your group exceeds this number, we will add a second guide at no additional cost.

Yes, the day usually starts early to avoid the strong sun. Most days offer free time from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, allowing you to explore the surroundings of your accommodation, read a book or take a nap at one of the hammocks.

The trek can be physically demanding, involving moderate to long distances over challenging terrains like sand dunes and freshwater lagoon

There is no strict maximum number of participants. Group sizes are defined based on demand and the specific date of the crossing. In some cases, there may be up to 20 or more people interested in the same departure. When this happens, the group may be split into smaller subgroups depending on the availability of guides and operational capacity at the time.

To ensure safety, comfort, and a high-quality experience for all travelers, we follow a guide-to-participant ratio as a general rule:

Up to 8 participants: 1 guide
9 to 16 participants: 2 guides
17 to 24 participants: 3 guides

And so on, we add one guide for every additional 8 people

This structure allows us to maintain a good pace, provide more personalised attention, and better manage any logistical challenges that may arise along the route.

Even when the group is divided, all participants follow the same trail, with the same itinerary and overnight stops. The separation is purely logistical to maintain the quality of the experience. You’ll still be able to connect with fellow travelers at lunch breaks, rest stops, and in the accommodations at the end of each day.

No, the itinerary cannot be done in reverse, for several important reasons. While the idea might seem feasible at first glance, there are natural and operational factors that significantly impact the experience when done in this direction.

Firstly, the wind direction and the position of the dunes play a key role. Walking against the wind and climbing dunes from their steeper side makes the trek much more tiring and uncomfortable. Secondly, the sun exposure throughout the day also becomes less favorable in the reverse direction, increasing fatigue and reducing the enjoyment of the landscapes.

From a logistical point of view, local transport and support infrastructure are also better aligned with the route starting in Barreirinhas and ending in Santo Amaro. Attempting the reverse route would require complex adjustments and often result in a subpar experience.

We design our itineraries with the traveler’s well-being in mind. That’s why we choose to operate the trek in the direction that offers the best balance of comfort, safety, scenic appreciation, and logistics.