The 15 Lençóis Maranhenses Tours That Earn Their Price

1.Full-day excursion Lencois Marnahenses, Lagoa Azul & Lagoa Bonita combined

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 171 reviews Our pick

Join a Portuguese-speaking guide, often Diego, for a full day across Lençóis Maranhenses by off-road vehicle. Visit Lagoa Azul in the morning, stop for regional food and hammock time, then climb the wooden stairs at Lagoa Bonita for wide views, swimming, and sunset. Private and small-group options are available.

“Je vous recommande cette activité à 100%. Très bonne organisation, Sebastian est très gentil, à l’écoute et réactif. Il nous suit du début de l’activité jusqu’à la fin. Ca a été un réel plaisir de le rencontrer. Il nous a même aidé en dehors de l’activité pour nous chercher un taxi ainsi que me soigner lorsque je me suis faite piquer par un insecte Son service est plus que complet. c’est un 10/10 L’activité en elle même est incroyable, on en prend plein les yeux”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Full Day Tour -2 Lagoons (Azul and Bonita)

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 137 reviews · 8 hours · from $73

Meet your Portuguese-speaking guide at your Barreirinhas hotel for an eight-hour 4x4 trip into Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. You will walk the Bonita and Azul routes, stop for lunch at an oasis restaurant, and watch the sunset from the dunes. Guides Dybala and driver Jhonatan have earned particular praise for their explanations and confident driving.

“the excursion is lovely - a bit adventurous, but it is totally worth it. the price a bit less - the third party agencies take their share, booking directly with them or on the spot lowers the price overall a lot.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Sunset Experience in Bonita Lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 86 reviews · 4 hours · from $44

Leave Barreirinhas around 2 pm for Bonita Lagoon, where a Portuguese-speaking guide leads you to two or three clear-water lagoons, with about 40 minutes to swim at each. Climb the famous staircase, then finish on the region’s highest dune for sunset. Transport and guide are included, and private groups are available.

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Morning tour at Lençóis Maranhenses (Lagoa Azul)

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 45 reviews · 5 hours · from $44

From Barreirinhas, you’ll ride about an hour to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, walk over the dunes, and visit two seasonal lagoons. You’ll have about 30 minutes to swim at each stop. The route uses either the Lagoa Azul or Lagoa da Prata circuit, depending on lagoon depth. Hotel pickup and a Portuguese-speaking guide are included.

“Wspaniała wycieczka. Odbiór prosto z hotelu. Środowisko międzynarodowe, bardzo miłe. Laguny i wydmy są przecudowne. Polecam”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Lagoa Bonita Circuit in Lençóis Maranhenses

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 45 reviews · from $29Best value

Leave Barreirinhas at 2 pm in a 4x4, cross the Rio Preguiças by ferry, and reach the Grandes Lençóis for a sandy circuit through Lagoa do Maçarico, Lagoa do Clone, and Lagoa Bonita. Expect a steep 30-meter climb, a 140-step stairway, warm freshwater lagoons, and a sunset over the dunes.

“This is an amazing tour, but the transport can be tricky. The visit to the lagoon is breathtaking and a very unique experience. We were there in November when the water was low but we could still bathe in the fresh water that surfaces Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Lagoa Bonita Trail

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $49

From Barreirinhas, you cross the Preguiças River by ferry in a 4x4, ride through vegetation, then climb about 85 meters into Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. Visit Lagoa Bonita and Lagoa Azul with a guide on a morning or sunset outing. Expect a small group of up to 11 people and a bumpy ride.

“I did the sunset tour. The pick up and drop off was seamless. Everything went as planned! We went to two different lagoons. It’s an incredible park. The ride there is bumpy so be sure to secure your items. The guide didn’t seem speak much English, but it wasn’t barrier. I would suggest a translator on your phone if you’re English speaking. Or as in our group there were people who could translate. Definitely worth the visit. I’d do it again!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Full Day Tour: Santo Amaro Lagoons

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 17 reviews · 10 hours

Spend about 10 hours exploring Santo Amaro and Lençóis Maranhenses National Park by transfer and 4x4. You’ll visit seasonal lagoons such as Lagoa do Peixe, Lagoa da Andorinha, and Lagoa da Gaivota, with time for lunch, swimming, dune walks, and a possible sunset stop. English and Portuguese guiding is advertised.

“This is a great experience, the guides were very nice and kind. The food was really good. They really take into consideration everything needed to make you have a great time, totally recommended!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Preguicas River Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 14 reviews · 5 hours · from $35

Set out from Barreirinhas by transfer and speedboat with a Portuguese-speaking guide. Cruise the Preguiças River, walk the dunes of Pequenos Lençóis, see the monkeys at Vassouras, climb near Mandacaru Lighthouse, and finish at Caburé, where river and Atlantic meet. The $35 price is appealing, but lunch timing and pickup details need attention.

“We enjoy the tour, we met funny monkeys, swam, relaxed, enjoyed beautiful views.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Half-day excursion to Lagoa Bonita in the Lencois Maranhenses

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews

Set out from your accommodation with a Portuguese-speaking guide for a private five-hour trip to Lagoa Bonita. Cross the Rio Preguiças, ride 18 kilometers by 4x4 over sandy tracks, climb a 30-meter dune by wooden stairs, swim in clear lagoons, and stay for sunset on afternoon departures. Sebastian, Celiane, and guide Diego are associated with the local operation.

“I joined a wonderful afternoon tour to the unique dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses!! After an adventurous but fun 4x4 ride through bumby terain, we spent a couple of hours in the amazing landscape, taking in the views from the huge dunes. The organization of the tour through Celiane and Sebastian from Lençóis Prime Ecotour was excellent and they are a lovely couple who are also happy to share a lot of their local knowledge about the region and the culture in Brazil! Highly recommended!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Lagoa Azul and Maranhao Half-Day Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 12 reviews · 3 hours · from $56

From Barreirinhas, ride by 4x4 through the white dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park with an English-speaking guide. Walk to Lagoa Azul, swim in its clear seasonal waters, and enjoy time for photos. Transport and a certified guide are included, while food and drinks are not.

“Au début je me suis dit que j'ai fait un mauvais choix car les informations pour le ramassage étaient tardifs et le ramassage en lui-même a traîné. Mais au final, nous avons passé un super moment à la lagune bleue, sur un temps respecté, en compagnie d'une équipe sympathique et bienveillante. Merci, c'était splendide.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Caburé – Boat tour on the Rio Preguiças

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 12 reviews · 7 hours · from $60

Leave Barreirinhas at 8:00 for a Portuguese-guided speedboat ride along the Rio Preguiças. Stop at Vassouras and Mandacaru, climb the lighthouse, then relax in Caburé between river and Atlantic beaches. Lunch, drinks, and optional English or German guiding cost extra.

“Het was een rampzalige tocht met 5 boten die steeds kapot gingen en gesleept moesten worden. Een gids was er überhaupt niet meer sinds hij de eerste boot verlaten had. Het was eindeloos wachten op een nieuwe boot waardoor de plaatsen die bezocht zouden worden niet bereikt zijn. In gesprek met de touragency hebben wij geprobeerd ons geld terug te krijgen. Dat was akkoord .”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Private full day: Lencois Maranhenses National Park Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 8 hours

Spend eight hours with a private guide in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. Meet at your Barreirinhas hotel, ride by jeep to the dunes, walk between lagoons, swim, eat at a local family restaurant, and watch sunset. Guides speak English, Spanish, and Portuguese, with French also advertised.

“Onvergetelijk. Diego vertelt over het park, de fauna en flora en gunt je meer dan een duik in de prachtige lagunes! Fantastische ervaring, super driver!”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Day trip to Atins through the Lencois Maranhenses

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 6 reviews · 7 hours · from $88

Travel from your accommodation by ferry and 4x4 to Atins, crossing sandy paths beside Lençóis Maranhenses. Explore the village, beach, river mouth, dunes, and seasonal lagoons with a Portuguese-speaking guide. Lunch, drinks, and optional English or German guidance cost extra. Small-group and private trips are available.

“Loved the jeep ride in the dunes, the beautiful lagoons (maybe the best ones we have seen in lençóis) and the lunch with ocean view in Atins. Can really recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Discover Lagoa Azul & Maranhao: Half Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 4 reviews · 3 hours · from $63

From Barreirinhas, an English-speaking guide takes you by round-trip transport to Lagoa Azul in Lençóis Maranhenses. Allow three hours for white dunes, seasonal freshwater lagoons, and time to enjoy the scenery. Bring ID, swimwear, water, and sun protection. Lagoons may change with the season.

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Rancharia Lagoon circuit (Santo Amaro)

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 4 reviews · 9 hours · from $70

You leave Santo Amaro at 9:00 for Rancharia in a 4x4, with a maximum drive of 35 minutes across the dunes. Walk or pay R$20 for a short boat ride to Bicudo Gordo Lagoon, swim in clear water, stop for lunch in a nearby village, visit more lagoons, and finish with sunset views. The guide speaks Portuguese.

Check availability →Read our full review