LENÇÓIS MARANHENSES
Getting around Lençóis Maranhenses
Getting around Lençóis Maranhenses may not be the easiest task. It will not be possible to do everything yourself and it will be mandatory to hire at least one transport service during the trip, either to reach the base cities or to visit the dunes and lagoons. The procedure is simpler than it seems at first. The region has everything that is necessary for tourists to visit as many attractions as possible. It will not always be fast or cheap, but there everything is settled and the destination makes up for all the routes.
To get to know the dunes and lagoons of the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, you will need a vehicle with four-wheel drive and snorkel, as well as a lot of experience in dunes, sand and water. The most common among tourists — and highly recommended — is to hire agencies and guides accredited by ICMBio to make tours, whether in group or private. Although you are allowed to enter the National Park by motorbike on your own, it is highly not recommended. For those who want the experience of driving in the National Park, it will be necessary to contact the ICMBio de Barreirinhas and request authorization for the driver and vehicle. It is not easy and that is why almost no one takes chances.
It is worth mentioning that there are rules to be followed within the National Park, such as not going through the dune field. It is important to consult the ICMBio before going to walk within the law and not to get fines. For those who want to ride on the sand, but are not in a 4x4, the request is to take an ATV ride. The vehicle is prohibited in the National Park, where the Great Lençóis are located, however it is allowed inside the Small Lençóis, between Barreirinhas and Caburé.
See more about the tours around Lençóis Maranhenses.
Although 4x4 tours are the most popular in Lençóis Maranhenses, walking is also a good option for getting around. Some lagoons are close to the lodging bases and can be visited on foot, as in Santo Amaro and Atins. With an hour of walking, you will already be cooling off in a beautiful pool between the dunes. There are also places within the National Park where you can reach just by walking. This is the case of Lagoa das Emendadas, in Santo Amaro, and also of the villages of Queimada dos Britos and Barra Grande, isolated in the middle of Lençóis Maranhenses and accessible by foot crossing, which takes three to five days to complete.
In addition to 4x4 vehicles, in Lençóis Maranhenses it is also possible to take motorboat routes. The region is surrounded by rivers that connect villages, beaches and dunes. The main route is through the Preguiças River, which connects Barreirinhas to Vassouras, Mandacaru, Caburé and Atins, but there are other possible routes by water, such as the trip to Lagoa das Américas, in Santo Amaro. Transportation by the river is faster and more efficient, especially for those who want to go from Barreirinhas to Atins.
To get around cities and towns, there is no need for a car. Everything can be done on foot. Atins and Santo Amaro are very small and the ideal is just to avoid accommodation that is too far from the center (some are very isolated and make it difficult to get around). In the case of Barreirinhas, give preference to accommodations located close to Avenida Beira Rio, which marks the main point of the city. To get around the accommodation bases, there are several options.
