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Water · Lagoon on the Lagoa Azul circuit from Barreirinhas
Lagoa Azul
Half-day tour in a licensed 4x4, usually in the morning; lagoons all around that come and go with the rain.
The classic from Barreirinhas: half a day in a 4x4, then a swim between the dunes.
Start
Barreirinhas
Vehicle
licensed only
Duration
usually half a day
Time of day
usually mornings
Lençóis Maranhenses tours: Lagoa Azul, Lagoa Bonita and the Travessia
Lagoa Azul circuit
From Barreirinhas in a licensed 4x4, usually as a half-day tour in the morning with a swimming stop. Around Lagoa Azul lie lagoons that come and go with the rain and wind.
Water · Oasis in the dune field, overnight stop on the Travessia
Baixa Grande
Community in the Zona Primitiva; reachable only on foot, overnight stays with a reservation.
Lençóis Maranhenses tours: Lagoa Azul, Lagoa Bonita and the Travessia
Travessia dos Lençóis
The long-distance trek runs from Atins through the Zona Primitiva to Santo Amaro and takes up to five days. Nights are spent in the communities of Baixa Grande and Queimada dos Britos; book your accommodation in advance, and registering at the start is compulsory.
Water · Oasis in the dune field, overnight stop on the Travessia
Queimada dos Britos
Second oasis of the Zona Primitiva; only residents may use motor vehicles here.
Where to stay: Barreirinhas, Santo Amaro, Atins or the oases
In the oasis
If you walk the Travessia, you sleep in Baixa Grande or Queimada dos Britos. Booking the community lodging is compulsory, and you must be able to show the reservation on the way.
Surroundings · Community on the Rio Alegre inside the park
Betânia
Start of the Betânia circuit, with restaurants and hammock spots; swimming in the dark water of the Rio Alegre.
Lençóis Maranhenses tours: Lagoa Azul, Lagoa Bonita and the Travessia
Circuits from Santo Amaro
Betânia with the Rio Alegre, Ponta Verde with Lagoa do Reflexo, Andorinha and Emendadas in the afternoon; Lagoa da América can only be reached by boat across the Rio Alegre and Santo Amaro lake.
Surroundings · Village at the mouth of the Rio Preguiças, outside the park
Atins
Kitesurfing, kayaking and walks on the edge of the park; from Barreirinhas only via the outside road or by boat.
Getting there: from São Luís to Barreirinhas or Santo Amaro
To Atins only by the outside road
Since July 2026 the only permitted overland route between Barreirinhas and the village of Atins is the road outside the park boundary. Private vehicles, UTVs and quad bikes may not cross the dune field; offenders face fines and seizure of the vehicle.
Lençóis Maranhenses tours: Lagoa Azul, Lagoa Bonita and the Travessia
Atins and the river mouth
The village of Atins lies outside the park at the mouth of the Rio Preguiças. From here there is kitesurfing, kayaking and beach walks to the mouth of the Rio Negro and Lagoa Verde.
Surroundings · Main base for tours to Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita
Barreirinhas
Town on the Rio Preguiças outside the park; this is where visitors book trips in licensed vehicles.
Visiting Lençóis Maranhenses: dunes, lagoons and three gateways
Three municipalities, many circuits
The park lies in Barreirinhas, Santo Amaro do Maranhão and Primeira Cruz. Most visitors come via Barreirinhas, for Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita, or via Santo Amaro in the west.
Surroundings · Small town in the west, less than 2 km (1.2 mi) from the park
Santo Amaro do Maranhão
From here into the park on foot or by licensed vehicle; to Lagoa da América by boat only.
Getting there: from São Luís to Barreirinhas or Santo Amaro
To Santo Amaro
Santo Amaro do Maranhão is reached from São Luís via the BR-135 and further country roads; the town is less than 2 km (1.2 mi) from the park. On its pages the park agency gives the middle section once as the MA-402 and once as the BR-402.
Where to stay: Barreirinhas, Santo Amaro, Atins or the oases
In the gateway towns
Barreirinhas is the largest town by the park. Santo Amaro do Maranhão has pousadas and restaurants and is less than 2 km (1.2 mi) from the park boundary.
