Barreirinhas is the city considered to be the main gateway to the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park and is home to the majority of tourist agencies.

Barreirinhas offers an excellent base for exploring the wonders of Lençóis Maranhenses, with a variety of activities catering for different interests and levels of adventure.

Although it is also possible to get there via neighbouring Santo Amaro do Maranhão and Primeira Cruz, this is where the tourists are most concentrated.

The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park consists of a vast area of high white sand dunes and lakes and lagoons, also known as the “Brazilian Desert”.

The main access is via the MA-402 motorway, with tarmac in good condition.

The city of Barreirinhas has accommodation and catering facilities and several tourist agencies offer trips to the National Park and other attractions, such as the speedboat trip to the mouth of the Preguiças River and the boia-cross on the Formiga River.

For those seeking more adventure, another access route is via Paulino Neves – MA. This stretch is part of the Rota das Emoções, a tourist route that starts in Ceará, crosses the Piauí coast and ends in Maranhão. On this route you can visit 3 federal conservation units: Parque Nacional de Jericoacoara, Parnaíba Delta Environmental Protection Area and the Lençois Maranhenses National Park.

The access to the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park from Barreirinhas begins with the crossing of the Preguiças River by ferry.

From then on, only 4×4 vehicles equipped with snorkels can make the journey.

Videos – Tourist attractions in Barreirinhas and Lençóis Maranhenses

1. Tourist attractions in Barreirinhas MA

1. Blue Lagoon Circuit
2. Bonita Lagoon Circuit
3. Lagoa da Esperança
4. Atins
5. Lençóis Corner
6. Mouth of the Rio Negro and Lagoa Verde
7. Passeio no Rio Preguiças
8. Beira Rio in Barreirinhas
9. Canoeing on the Formiga River
10. Hikes and Trails
11. Quadricycle rides
12. Queimada dos Britos and Baixa Grande
13. Speedboat ride along the Rio Preguiças

1. Blue Lagoon Circuit

This is the most visited attraction in the Conservation Unit. After 12 kilometres of sandbank trails, the tour continues through the dune field on a trail of approximately 02 kilometres.

Along the way, visitors can visit the Preguiça lagoon, the Esmeralda lagoon, the Blue lagoon and the Peixe lagoon, the only perennial lagoon with water all year round.

This attraction is the only one where access is permitted by horse-drawn vehicle to the limits of the Preguiça lagoon, but only for visitors with walking difficulties and upon communication and obtaining authorisation from the National Park administration.

2. Boni Lagoon Circuitta

Lagoa Bonita is located 15 km from Barreirinhas. The attraction is medium difficult to access, as you have to climb a steep dune about 30 metres high. There is a rope to help you up.

But the effort is rewarded with a beautiful view of both the dune field and the restinga vegetation of the National Park.

After the climb, visitors walk a few hundred metres to the Bonita lagoon. Here you can also visit the Clone Lagoon, named after the location where scenes from Rede Globo’s soap opera ‘O Clone’ were filmed.

3. Lagoa da Esperança

This is the interruption in the course of the Rio Negro caused by its encounter with the dune field. As such, this lagoon is perennial and is not located within the dune field, but on the edge of it.

It is also possible to walk through the dune field. Because it is perennial, this lagoon is ideal for visiting during the dry months, when the lagoons at the other attractions are dry.

The Esperança lagoon forms the geographical boundary between the municipalities of Barreirinhas and Santo Amaro.

4. Atins

The population of Atins is located opposite the mouth of the Preguiças River, outside the National Park, but very close, making it easy to walk along the beach, sandbanks, dunes and fields.

The village of Atins has a simple structure and is sought after by visitors looking for tranquillity and closer contact with nature and the local community.

In Atins you can practise sports such as kitesurfing, windsurfing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, cycling, surfing and more.

5. Canto dos Lençóis

Located inside the National Park, Canto dos Lençóis, formerly called Canto do Atins, is a small village formed by traditional fishermen.

It has a beautiful view of the dune field and is close to the beach. The village has no electricity but there are community restaurants that serve typical food and offer simple accommodation.

It’s a great base from which to start trekking across the dune field to the municipality of Santo Amaro.

6. Foz do Rio Negro and Lagoa Verde

The route to the mouth of the Rio Negro is via the National Park beach, leaving Atins. The meeting of the Rio Negro with the sea is the main attraction, where visitors can bathe in the small waterfalls by the sea.

This attraction is only available when the Rio Negro has water, so find out in advance from the administration or the local reception centre.

On the circuit it is also possible to visit some interdunal lagoons such as the Green Lagoon, which is close to the beach, a 30-minute walk through the dune field, and remains waterlogged for much of the year.

7. Boat trip on the Rio Preguiças

A boat trip on the Preguiças River is essential. The river is surrounded by lush vegetation and leads to small villages and enchanting beaches.

Highlights

• Vila de Mandacaru: Known for its lighthouse, which offers a panoramic view of the region.
• Vila de Vassouras: Where you can see the Pequenos Lençóis and interact with capuchin monkeys.
• Caburé Beach: A narrow peninsula between the river and the sea, ideal for relaxing and enjoying the day.

A journey rich in adventure and unforgettable landscapes.

  An unmissable excursion for those planning to visit the Lençóis Maranhenses is a speedboat trip along the Preguiças River.

During the journey, tourists will be amazed by the state’s rich vegetation, the mangroves and even see some dunes along the way. The first stop is Vassouras, which has small Lençóis and a very varied fauna.

Continuing along the river, the tourist makes another stop in Mandacaru, a town known for the presence of the Preguiças Lighthouse. From the top of the lighthouse, you can get a privileged view of the whole region.

The last stop is Caburé, where you can bathe in the sea and river, go quad biking and even stay overnight.

8. Beira Rio in Barreirinhas

The riverside area in Barreirinhas is a pleasant place to stroll, with restaurants, bars and shops selling local handicrafts. It’s a great place to relax after a day of exploring.

9. Canoeing on the Formiga River

A canoe trip down the Formiga River in Cardosa offers a peaceful and immersive experience in nature, passing through mangroves and observing the local fauna.

10. Walks and Trails

• Trilha das Dunas: Guided hikes through the dunes, where you can explore the unique landscape of Lençóis Maranhenses up close and find hidden lagoons.
• Santo Amaro Trail: A more challenging trail that leads to some of the most beautiful and least visited lagoons in the park.

11. Quad rides

Offer an exciting way to explore the dunes and beaches. The tours usually include visits to nearby lagoons and villages.

12. Queimada dos Britos and Baixa Grande

Located within the dune field of the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, these two patches of restinga vegetation are true oases and a perfect overnight shelter for those looking to trek across the park.

According to the National Park’s zoning, these areas are in the Primitive Zone, where visitation can only take place at minimum impact levels.

It is therefore forbidden to go sightseeing or visit the area in motorised vehicles of any kind. Despite this, around 30 families live there, and they and only they are allowed to travel in motorised vehicles for life-saving reasons and to transport people, food and materials.

This is undoubtedly the unit’s best attraction! The hikes, which last up to five days, take in the beach and the dunes, with swims in the lagoons to cool off. Overnight stays in the communities are a great way to interact with the traditional population.

The oases have the greatest diversity of vegetation and birds in the National Park and have bathing lagoons for much of the year, both inland and in the dune field.

It is compulsory to hire a Visitor Guide to make the journey, as you will be entering the Primitive Zone of the park.

It’s very easy to get lost in the dune field, much of the way there is no mobile phone coverage and many places can go for days without people passing through. You are responsible for your own safety, so don’t venture into the National Park if you’re not sure you’re physically fit enough.

13. Speedboat ride along the Rio Preguiças

The speedboat ride along the Preguiças River is one of the most popular and enchanting activities for those visiting Barreirinhas, the main gateway to the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the region’s rich biodiversity and discover small villages and stunning landscapes along the river. Here are the main details and points of interest of this tour:

Tour Details

• Duration: The speedboat ride along the Preguiças River usually lasts between 4 and 6 hours, depending on the stops and the pace of the group.
• Departure: The speedboats leave from Barreirinhas pier, where you can find several tourist agencies offering the tour.
• Type of Speedboat: The speedboats are fast and comfortable, with capacity for small to medium-sized groups, providing a more intimate and personalised experience.

Main Stops and Points of Interest

1. Vassouras (Little Lençóis)

• Description: The first stop on the tour, Vassouras is known as Pequenos Lençóis because of its small dunes that resemble the larger ones found in the park.
• Activities: Here, visitors can explore the dunes, relax in hammocks and interact with the capuchin monkeys that inhabit the area. There are also stalls selling drinks and snacks.

2. Mandacaru

• Description: A small fishing village famous for its lighthouse, Farol Preguiças (Mandacaru Lighthouse).
• Activities: Climb the 160 steps of the lighthouse for an incredible panoramic view of the river, the dunes and the surrounding forest. The village also offers local handicrafts and small shops.

3. Caburé

• Description: A narrow peninsula that separates the river from the Atlantic Ocean, offering a unique experience with the river on one side and the sea on the other.
• Activities: Relax on the beaches, swim in the river or the sea, have lunch in one of the local restaurants serving typical dishes, and enjoy hammocks by the sea. You can also go quad biking in the nearby dunes.

Tourism and Travel Guide to Barreirinhas in the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park