How to Get to Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil

If you’re planning a trip to my home country and wondering how to get to Lençóis Maranhenses, wonder no more. I will tell you everything in this guide.

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Brazil’s northeast Atlantic coast. This protected area is known for its vast desert-like landscape of tall, white dunes and seasonal, crystal-clear rainwater lagoons, which create a unique and stunning scenery.

I spent one week in this famous Brazilian national park last year and had an unforgettable time! I got mesmerised by its otherworldly landscape, and it, effortlessly, became one of my favourite destinations in the world.

Getting to Lençóis Maranhenses isn’t easy, particularly when travelling from abroad, but I can guarantee it’s completely worthy! Below you’ll find the best options. 

Where is Lençóis Maranhenses National Park?

Lençóis Maranhenses is located in northeastern Brazil, on the east coast of the state of Maranhão, approximately 250 km (155 mi) from its capital, São Luís. 

The park encompasses an area of 380,000 acres bordered by 80 km (49,7 mi) of beaches along the Atlantic Ocean. Inland, it is bordered by several rivers, including Preguiças and Parnaíba, which carry sand into the park from the continent’s interior.

Despite its desert appearance, the area receives about 1,200 millimetres (47 in) of rain per year, mostly between January and June. The rain creates lagoons of various colours, shapes, sizes and depths with temperatures between 27.5 °C (81.5 °F) and 32 °C (90 °F) and rare beauty.

Where to stay in the Lençóis Maranhenses

Before reaching the epic dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses, you need to decide where you will be based: Barreirinhas, Atins or Santo Amaro.

Barreirinhas, a developed city with around 65.000 inhabitants, is the main getaway to the park and the most popular option. You can find many accommodation and restaurant options, stores, several tours and a bustling nightlife. 

Barreirinhas is the perfect option for first-timers, party-goers and those spending up to four days in the Lençóis Maranhenses. There’s an array of tours departing from Barreirinhas, including visiting the lagoons in Atins and Santo Amaro.

Atins, a small fishing village located 1h30min boat ride from Barreirinhas, is a much quieter base to stay.

Here you can escape from the hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in a relaxed vibe, typical of those places removed from the hurried world of civilisation. 

Atins is the best option for beach lovers, kitesurfers, and those looking for unique accommodation  (there are some boutique hotels to die for). The village is closer to the park, but most tours are to the lagoons, except the birdwatching one. 

Santo Amaro, a city with approximately 14.000 inhabitants, is much smaller, less developed, and quieter than Barreirinhas. The main advantage of choosing this base is that it’s only a 10-min drive to the Lençóis Maranhenses.  

If you’re travelling with kids and/or the elderly, Santo Amaro is your choice!

How to Get to Lençóis Maranhenses

The easiest way to get to Lençóis Maranhenses is to fly to São Luís, the closest major airport, and then travel by land to Barreirinhas, Atins or Santo Amaro.

Marechal Cunha Machado International Airport (SLZ), a relatively small airport, easy to get in and out of, is located 15 km from the historic centre of São Luís.

If you ask me if you should spend some time in the city before heading to Lençóis Maranhenses, my answer is For sure. I spent three nights in São Luís, and I loved it! I highly recommend it, especially if you go in June/beginning of July, when they have the Saint John’s festivities. 

Once in São Luís, let’s check the options.

From São Luís to Lençóis Maranhenses 

If you decide to stay a few days in Maranhão’s capital, you can get to Lençóis Maranhenses by bus, van or private transfer.

• To Barreirinhas (the main getaway to the park)

Buses from São Luís to Barreirinhas depart from the Terminal Rodoviário de São Luís, which can be reached by bus, taxi or Uber.

The travel time is approximately 05 hours and costs an average of R$75 (US$14.50). Check the schedule and book on the Viação Guanabara website. 

Shared transfers are more popular and include pick-up from your hotel in São Luís/airport and drop-off in Barreirinhas. The price is a bit higher, but it’s much easier and more convenient.

I booked my shared transfer with GetYourGuide and was very happy with its service. The van was comfy, I met other travellers, and I was dropped off in front of my hotel. Check prices and availability here.

If you’re travelling with family or friends, I suggest a private transfer. 

• To Atins (beach & relaxed vibe)

You need to follow the instructions above to Barreirinhas, then take a 1h30min boat to Atins, or book a 4×4 with a local agency.

Alternatively, you can book a tour to Atins and ask to be dropped off there (this was what I did).

• To Santo Amaro (the closest base to Lençois Maranhenses)

If you decide to go to Santo Amaro, you will need to take a minibus from São Luís, but they don’t go as often as they do to Barreirinhas. Check prices and availability with Mirotur or Rota das Dunas de Santo Amaro via WhatsApp (98)98913-2232.

If you prefer a private transfer, check rates and availability here. If you want to travel from Barreirinhas to Santo Amaro, you can book this shared transfer and this one to return to São Luís.

Alternatively, you can rent a car and drive to Barreirinhas or Santo Amaro. The paved roads are in good condition, but watch the potholes on your way to later, though. Once you reach one of these two bases, your car won’t be needed. Hence, private cars aren’t allowed in the national park.

From São Paulo

The economic centre and largest city in Brazil, São Paulo, has great connectivity with Europe, the USA, the Middle East and other South American countries.

With three airports, it won’t be hard to find a flight from São Paulo to São Luís with one of the Brazilian airline companies: GOL, Latam and Azul. Although most direct flights depart from Guarulhos (GRU), the main hub in Brazil, you can also connect via flights from Congonhas (CGH), which is more central.

During my research, I found only one direct flight from Congonhas, departing at 10h30 and arriving at 14h00. So, you can book the outbound flight from CGH and the inbound to GRU. Don’t book flights from Viracopos (VCP), as this airport is over two hours from the city of São Paulo.

P.S: Domestic flights in Brazil aren’t cheap. Expect to find flights to São Luís between R$500 (US$48) and R$2,100 (US$407).

• Find the best airline deals on Skyscanner, the site I trust and recommend.

From Rio de Janeiro

If you decided to fly to Rio instead of São Paulo, what I’d do if I were you, you would find only a few direct flights from Rio to São Luis, which take around 03h30min.

Even though the city is one of the main getaways to Brazil and has two airports, Rio is not as well-connected as São Paulo. Your journey will be longer because your flight will likely make a stop in Salvador, Belo Horizonte, or Brasília. Still, it’s totally worth spending some days in the so-called “Cidade Maravilhosa”. 

When I went to Lençóis Maranhão, I flew from London to Rio (GIG), then to São Luís with a connection in Salvador. I arrived at São Luís Airport in the afternoon after spending almost 24h travelling… I was so tired, but very happy!

From Salvador

There’s only one direct flight from Salvador to São Luís, departing at 14h35 and arriving at 16h40, and two direct flights from São Luís to Salvador, departing at 03h00 and 11h40, with GOL.

You can find other connected flights with Latam, Azul and GOL. But if you’re visiting Bahia, your best bet to get from Salvador to Lençóis Maranhenses will be a direct flight from Salvador to São Luís, followed by a shared transfer from São Luís to Barreirinhas.

• You may also like: Full Guide to Morro de São Paulo, Brazil

From Europe

To get to Lençóis Maranhenses from Europe, you will most likely need to fly first to Rio, São Paulo or Salvador. 

There are direct flights from the major European capitals, such as London, Amsterdam, Rome and Berlin, to Rio and São Paulo, but you can also find flights from Lisbon, Madrid and Paris to Salvador. 

TAP Portugal is the only airline offering flights from Europe to São Luís, from where you can easily reach the Lençóis Maranhenses, but the flights aren’t direct, though. 

It might be cheaper and easier to fly to Rio and São Paulo, or even Salvador, and spend some days in one of these three fantastic cities before travelling to the Lençóis Maranhenses.

From the USA

Similar to Europe, you won’t find direct flights from the USA to São Luís. However, there are several direct flights from Miami, Atlanta, New York and Chicago to Rio and São Paulo.

Once you get to these Brazilian hubs, you can follow the directions above to travel to Maranhão.

The Lençóis Maranhenses isn’t easily accessible, but it can be a trip of a lifetime, especially if you visit other famous Brazilian destinations, such as Rio, Ilha Grande, Foz do Iguaçu or Boipeba Island. 

Regardless of each other’s destination, you will add to your itinerary, I wish you a fantastic time in Brazil.

Safe travels and have fun in the Lençóis Maranhenses.

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