Lençóis Maranhenses: Santo Amaro and Atins

This itinerary takes the traveler to the heart of Maranhão, where biodiversity, culture, and adventure meet. Between dunes and lagoons, every moment invites us to connect with the environment.

Along the route, trails surrounded by greenery, gentle breezes, and the sounds of nature create a unique sensory experience. Local flavors complement the journey, while the lagoons reflect unique landscapes at sunset.

Each stop has been carefully selected to highlight what is most beautiful about Lençóis Maranhenses. From a refreshing watery breeze in Vassouras to a picnic at dusk in Canto do Atins, providing an immersion in the destination.

Day 1: São Luís - Santo Amaro
Arrival in São Luís, reception and transfer of about 4 hours to Santo Amaro. It includes a snack stop (not included) in the city of Morros or Icatu. Arrival and accommodation for 3 nights, with breakfast.


Day 2: Santo Amaro - Ponta Verde - Santo Amaro
After breakfast, departure from Santo Amaro to the town of Ponta Verde. Most of the route takes place over the dunes, providing beautiful scenery, since Santo Amaro is very close to the access to the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. The route follows trails through the vegetation to the village, known for the fruit trees and native plants that keep it green all year round — the origin of the name Ponta Verde.

Arrival at the village and stop to order lunch (not included), with the suggestion of Malaysian Shrimp or Moqueca de Siri, depending on availability. Then, visit Lagoa do Reflexo, with free time for bathing and photos. Return to the village for lunch and, in the afternoon, continue the tour with a bath in the ponds of the Ponta Verde Circuit.

After sunset, return to Santo Amaro.


DAY 3: Santo Amaro - Rancharia (Lagoa do Bicudo Gordo) - Santo Amaro
After breakfast, departure from the inn in Santo Amaro for the parking authorized by the ICMBio. The route continues through the dunes of the region, passing through several lagoons. At a certain point, a short uphill walk takes place to the boarding point on a boat driven by residents, which crosses the stream to the other bank. 

Arrival at Lagoa do Bicudo Gordo for free time for bathing and photographic records. In Povoado Lavado do Maneco, there is a restaurant run by residents, where it is possible to have lunch (not included), with regional cuisine options. After the break, continue the tour of the lagoons and return to the vehicle. 

The route follows a panoramic route to the point selected to contemplate the sunset, with a return to Santo Amaro.


Day 4: Santo Amaro - Barreirinhas - Preguiças River - Atins
After breakfast, departure from Santo Amaro to Barreirinhas. Upon arrival, board a speedboat for a pleasant navigation along the Preguiças River, following the landscapes formed by mangroves, buritizals, dunes and small riverside communities.

The first stop will be in Vassouras, in the Pequenos Lençóis region, where it will be possible to walk through the dunes and observe the capuchin monkeys that inhabit the place.

Then continue to Mandacaru, a community known as the Preguiças Lighthouse. For those who wish, the climb to the lighthouse provides a panoramic view of the river, dunes, mangroves, and the meeting of the waters with the sea. The navigation continues to Atins, a village with a tranquil atmosphere located between the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park and the Atlantic Ocean.

Disembark and transfer to the inn. Accommodation for 3 nights, with breakfast.


DAY 5: ATINS - Ponta do Mangue - atins
After breakfast at the hotel, departure in a 4x4 vehicle for the Ponta do Mangue Lagoon Circuit tour, visiting the most beautiful lagoons of the season, with stops for swimming and photos.

During the tour, visit the Carminha Restaurant, located in the village of Ponta do Mangue, on the banks of Lagoa do Mário, which offers a beautiful view of the place. It is suggested to try shrimp or grilled fish, typical dishes of the region.

After lunch, time to rest in hammocks and return to Atins in the early afternoon.


DAY 6: Atins - Canto do Atins - Atins
Breakfast at the hotel and free morning for independent activities.

In the afternoon, departure in a 4x4 vehicle for the Canto do Atins Lagoas Circuit tour, visiting the most beautiful lagoons of the season, with stops for swimming and photos. Along the way, visit Cachoeira do Bonzinho.

At dusk, a picnic will be served to contemplate the sunset. Return to Atins after sunset.


Day 7: atins - barreirinhas - São LUÍS
After breakfast, enjoy the morning off to relax or explore the surroundings.

Check-out and transfer to the Port of Atins, boarding a speedboat to Barreirinhas, followed by a land transfer on a journey of about 4 hours to the city of São Luís.