5 Days in Lençóis Maranhenses: Complete 2026 Travel Guide With Pricing & Itinerary

Everything you need to plan your dream trip to Brazil’s most surreal landscape—from costs to best times to hidden local secrets

Imagine standing atop a massive white sand dune, 360-degree views of an endless desert stretching before you—except this desert is punctuated by thousands of crystal-clear turquoise lagoons, each one a perfect swimming hole surrounded by pristine sand.

Welcome to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, where nature performs an annual miracle that defies logic: seasonal rains transform a vast desert into an aquatic wonderland, creating one of Earth’s most photographed yet still somehow underappreciated landscapes.

If you’ve been scrolling through those impossibly beautiful photos wondering “Is this real? Can I actually go there? What does it cost?”—this guide answers all your questions with complete transparency.

Why Lençóis Maranhenses Should Top Your Brazil Bucket List

Let’s address the elephant in the room: Brazil has incredible beaches. From Copacabana to Fernando de Noronha, from Jericoacoara to Ilha Grande, the competition is fierce. So why dedicate precious vacation days to sand dunes?

Because Lençóis Maranhenses isn’t just another beach—it’s a phenomenon that exists nowhere else on Earth.

The Science Behind the Surreal

Between January and June, seasonal rains fall on this vast expanse of coastal sand dunes (approximately 155,000 hectares). The unique geology—sand atop an impermeable rock layer—prevents water from draining away. Instead, it collects in thousands of valleys between dunes, creating temporary lagoons.

The result: From June through September, you can trek across white desert and suddenly encounter pristine freshwater lagoons—some small enough to feel private, others stretching hundreds of meters and deep enough to swim freely.

As the dry season progresses (October-December), lagoons gradually evaporate, and the cycle begins again.

This doesn’t happen in the Sahara, Gobi, Mojave, or any other desert. It’s uniquely Lençóis Maranhenses—a landscape that shouldn’t exist but does, spectacularly.

Beyond the Lagoons

While the desert-meets-oasis landscape rightfully steals the spotlight, this 5-day itinerary reveals multiple facets of Maranhão’s beauty:

• São Luís: A UNESCO World Heritage colonial city with Portuguese-tiled architecture and vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture
• Barreirinhas: The gateway town where you’ll base yourself for park exploration
• Preguiças River: A scenic waterway connecting lagoons, lighthouses, fishing villages, and coastal ecosystems
• Caburé Beach: Where river meets ocean in dramatic fashion

This isn’t a one-note destination—it’s a multifaceted adventure that combines natural wonders, cultural immersion, and coastal beauty into one unforgettable journey.

Your Complete 5-Day Lençóis Maranhenses Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in São Luís – Colonial Charm Welcome

Afternoon: Landing in Maranhão’s Capital

Your adventure begins at São Luís International Airport (Marechal Cunha Machado). After clearing customs, you’ll be greeted for your shared transfer to your São Luís hotel—the first sign that you’ve chosen a tour operator who handles details seamlessly.

São Luís is one of Brazil’s most underrated cities. Founded by the French, colonized by the Dutch, and ultimately ruled by the Portuguese, it developed a unique architectural character. The historic center (Centro Histórico) is a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its Portuguese azulejo tiles that cover entire building facades in intricate patterns.

Evening: Free Exploration

After checking into your hotel and freshening up, the evening is yours to explore. São Luís’ historic center is compact and walkable, especially beautiful as golden hour light illuminates those famous tiled buildings.

What to do tonight:

• Stroll Rua Portugal and Rua do Giz: The heart of the historic district, lined with colonial architecture, art galleries, and craft shops
• Visit Praça Nauro Machado: The main square, perfect for people-watching and soaking in local atmosphere
• Enjoy live music: Many bars feature live forró or reggae (São Luís is known as Brazil’s reggae capital—unexpected but true!)

Dinner in São Luís – Local Recommendations:

Cabana do Sol: Maranhão’s signature restaurant experience. Located in a large, rustic space, it serves regional cuisine including grilled meats, fresh fish, and local specialties. Known for generous portions and authentic flavors. Perfect for first-night dining when you want something substantial and traditionally Brazilian.

Cafofinho da Tia Dica: For a more intimate, home-style experience, this beloved local spot serves arroz de cuxá (rice with a tangy herb sauce—Maranhão’s signature dish), fresh seafood, and other regional plates. Casual atmosphere, genuine hospitality, reasonable prices.

Senac Restaurante Escola: A culinary school restaurant offering a buffet-style experience showcasing Maranhão gastronomy. Excellent variety, quality ingredients, and surprisingly affordable. Great option if you’re a food explorer who wants to sample many dishes.

Feijão de Corda: Casual, unpretentious northeastern Brazilian food. If you want a relaxed meal after travel, this delivers solid regional plates without fuss.

Tonight, rest well—tomorrow, the adventure truly begins.

Overnight: São Luís

Day 2: São Luís to Barreirinhas + Sunset in the Dunes

Morning: Journey to the Gateway

After breakfast, your private transfer from São Luís to Barreirinhas begins (approximately 4 hours). While this might sound like “just a drive,” it’s actually a fascinating transition.

Watch the landscape transform: São Luís’ urban environment gives way to rural Maranhão—small towns, agricultural areas, increasingly remote terrain. You’re traveling from coast to interior, from city to frontier.

The road conditions vary (some paved, some rougher sections), making those 4 hours feel earned. But your driver knows the route, makes appropriate stops, and ensures you arrive safely.

Midday: Arrival in Barreirinhas

Barreirinhas isn’t picturesque in a postcard way—it’s a working town that happens to sit beside one of nature’s greatest wonders. Small restaurants, simple shops, friendly locals, and an atmosphere of pragmatic hospitality define it.

Check into your hotel (accommodation category based on your package tier—more details below), perhaps grab a light lunch, and prepare for this afternoon’s highlight.

Afternoon: Your First Lençóis Maranhenses Experience

This is the moment you’ve been waiting for.

Your shared 4×4 tour departs for Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. The vehicles are specially equipped for desert driving—high clearance, experienced drivers, and room for your group plus other travelers.

The drive itself is exhilarating—bouncing over sand roads, splashing through shallow water crossings, climbing and descending dramatic dunes. This isn’t passive sightseeing; it’s active adventure.

First lagoon stop: When you crest that initial dune and see your first lagoon spread before you—turquoise water impossibly clear, surrounded by pristine white sand—the photos you’ve seen suddenly seem inadequate. Reality is better.

You’ll stop at seasonal lagoons (which specific ones depends on time of year and water levels). Each offers swimming opportunities. The water is warm, refreshing, and so transparent you can see the sandy bottom meters below.

Sunset moment: Your guide times the tour to position you at an ideal viewpoint for sunset. As golden light transforms the white dunes to shades of amber and pink, and the lagoons reflect the changing sky, you understand why photographers obsess over this place.

Evening: Barreirinhas Night

Return to Barreirinhas as darkness falls. Dinner options are simple but good—fresh river fish, regional dishes, cold beers. The town lacks nightlife excitement, which is perfect. You’re here for nature, not clubs.

Tonight, sleep comes easily—sun, swimming, and anticipation of tomorrow’s adventures ensure it.

Overnight: Barreirinhas

Day 3: Preguiças River Speedboat Tour – Multiple Ecosystems in One Day

Morning: Breakfast & Departure

After breakfast at your hotel, meet your group for today’s shared speedboat tour along the Rio Preguiças (Lazy River—though the pace today will be anything but lazy).

This tour reveals a different side of the region—instead of desert dunes, you’ll explore river ecosystems, mangroves, fishing villages, and coastal beaches.

First Stop: Vassouras – “Little Lençóis”

The speedboat zips along the scenic river before stopping at Vassouras, a small community near impressive dunes. These are sometimes called “Little Lençóis” because they offer a taste of the main park’s landscape but in a more compact, accessible form.

Quick dune treks, photo opportunities, and perhaps small lagoons (depending on season) before returning to the boat.

Second Stop: Mandacaru Lighthouse

Mandacaru is a tiny fishing village dominated by a 35-meter lighthouse built in 1940.

Climb the 160 steps to the top (it’s safe and worth every step) for 360-degree panoramic views:

• Preguiças River winding toward the ocean
• Lençóis Maranhenses dunes in the distance
• Fishing boats dotting the water
• Mangrove forests lining the shores
• The meeting point of river and Atlantic Ocean

The village itself is charming—colorful houses, friendly locals, small restaurants. You might see fishermen working on their boats or children playing in the river.

Third Stop: Caburé Beach – Lunch & Relaxation

The speedboat continues to Caburé, a narrow strip of land where the Preguiças River meets the Atlantic Ocean. It’s geographically fascinating—river on one side, ocean on the other, connected by a stretch of sand maybe 100 meters wide at points.

Lunch here is included: Fresh seafood (fish, shrimp, crab) caught locally and prepared simply. Most restaurants offer set menus or buffets featuring the day’s catch plus regional sides. Eat overlooking the river or ocean, with cold drinks and warm hospitality.

Afternoon relaxation: After lunch, you have free time to:

• Swim in the calm river waters
• Walk to the ocean side and feel Atlantic waves
• Relax in a hammock at beachside bars
• Take photos of this unique geography
• Simply exist in a place where most travelers never reach

Return Journey

The speedboat ride back to Barreirinhas offers different light and perspectives on the morning’s route. River life unfolds—fishermen, birds, local boats, villages. It’s meditative and beautiful.

Evening: Free Time in Barreirinhas

Tonight, perhaps explore restaurants you didn’t try last night, chat with fellow travelers about the day’s experiences, or simply rest on your hotel’s porch watching small-town Brazilian life unfold.

Overnight: Barreirinhas

Day 4: Barreirinhas to São Luís – Return Journey

Morning: Farewell to Lençóis

After breakfast, take a final walk near your hotel, maybe purchase a small craft or souvenir from local artisans, and prepare for checkout.

There’s a bittersweet quality to leaving Barreirinhas. You’ve only been here two nights, yet the landscape has imprinted itself deeply. You’re already planning your return visit (it happens constantly with Lençóis).

Midday: Private Transfer Back to São Luís

Your private transfer returns you to São Luís (4 hours). The reverse journey offers different perspectives and perhaps stops you missed on the way to Barreirinhas.

Use this drive time to process photos, journal about experiences, nap, or chat with your driver about local life and culture.

Afternoon: Arrival & Free Evening in São Luís

Check into your São Luís hotel (likely a different one than Night 1, but coordinated seamlessly by LDJ Travel). With a full afternoon and evening free, this is your opportunity to explore São Luís more deeply.

Recommended afternoon/evening activities:

Deeper Historic Center Exploration:

• Visit Palácio dos Leões (Governor’s Palace) if open for tours
• Explore Igreja da Sé (Cathedral) and other colonial churches
• Browse Casa do Maranhão museum for cultural context
• Shop for crafts along Rua Portugal

Cultural Experiences:

• If you’re lucky with timing, catch a Bumba Meu Boi performance (traditional folk celebration—São Luís is the epicenter)
• Visit Centro de Cultura Popular Domingos Vieira Filho for regional arts and crafts

Culinary Adventures: Since this is your last full evening, consider returning to a restaurant you loved on Day 1 or trying one you missed. Cabana do Sol makes for an excellent celebratory final dinner.

Nightlife: São Luís offers surprisingly vibrant nightlife, especially in the Praia Grande neighborhood (historic center). Live music (reggae or forró), bars with outdoor seating, and a friendly, safe atmosphere.

Overnight: São Luís

Day 5: São Luís Departure – Farewell to Maranhão

Morning: Leisurely Breakfast & Final Moments

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, perhaps taking extra time since you’re likely departing mid-morning or later. If your flight is in the afternoon, you might squeeze in one final short walk through neighborhoods near your hotel.

Morning/Midday: Shared Transfer to Airport

Your shared transfer to São Luís Airport ensures you arrive with appropriate time before your flight (typically 2-3 hours for domestic, 3-4 for international).

As you drive through São Luís toward the airport, watch the city pass by one last time. Five days ago, this was all unfamiliar. Now it feels like somewhere you understand, even if just slightly.

Departure & Reflection

At the airport, as you check in and wait for boarding, you’ll likely scroll through the hundreds of photos you’ve taken. The lagoons, the dunes, the colonial architecture, the river views.

But you’ll realize the photos don’t quite capture it—the feeling of floating in a desert lagoon, the wind on your face during 4×4 rides, the taste of fresh fish at Caburé, the warmth of Maranhão hospitality.

That’s when you know you’ve had a real travel experience, not just a sightseeing checklist.

End of services—but the beginning of memories that last a lifetime.

Complete 2026 Pricing Breakdown: Every Budget Covered

One of the most frustrating aspects of trip planning is opaque pricing. You see “from $X” but never know what you’ll actually pay until you’re deep in the booking process.

LDJ Travel & Cia does this differently: complete transparency with detailed pricing for every group size and accommodation tier.

What’s Included in Every Package

Before we dive into numbers, understand that these prices include everything you need for a seamless 5-day adventure:

✅ All Transfers: Shared airport pickup (Day 1), private São Luís ↔ Barreirinhas transfers (Days 2 & 4), shared airport drop-off (Day 5)
✅ All Tours: Lençóis Maranhenses sunset tour (Day 2), Preguiças River speedboat tour (Day 3)
✅ 4 Nights Accommodation: 2 nights in São Luís + 2 nights in Barreirinhas, with breakfast included
✅ Expert Guides: Professional guides for all tours who know the terrain, ecology, and culture
✅ English-Speaking Support: From LDJ Travel throughout your journey
✅ Lunch at Caburé: Included in Day 3 river tour

Not included: International flights, travel insurance, dinners (except Caburé lunch), optional activities, personal expenses, tips.

Understanding Accommodation Tiers

Economic Category: Clean, comfortable hotels/pousadas with essential amenities—private bathrooms, fans or basic A/C, breakfast, friendly service. Perfect for travelers prioritizing experiences over accommodation luxury. You’ll sleep well and shower comfortably while spending most time exploring.

Comfort Category (Intermediate): Enhanced properties with better locations, upgraded rooms, air conditioning, nicer pools, improved breakfast variety, and more attentive service. The sweet spot for most travelers—genuine comfort without unnecessary extravagance.

Luxury Category: Premium hotels offering spacious rooms, sophisticated design, excellent service, quality linens, better amenities, often better restaurant options. For travelers who want both adventure and indulgence, who believe good sleep and comfort enhance rather than detract from adventure.

2026 Pricing Table (Per Person in Brazilian Reais)

SOLO TRAVELER (Single Occupancy)

Solo travel carries premium pricing due to single supplements, but you gain complete flexibility and independence.

2 PEOPLE (Double Room)

Couples or friends traveling together see significant per-person savings. Double rooms maximize value.

3 PEOPLE (Triple Room)

Triple rooms offer excellent value, though availability may be more limited. Ideal for families or small friend groups.

4-10 PEOPLE (Various Room Configurations)

For groups of 4+ travelers, pricing becomes even more favorable as certain fixed costs (private transfers, etc.) are distributed across more people:

Groups of 6+ people achieve optimal per-person pricing. Perfect for multi-family trips, friend groups, or organized travel clubs.

Converting to Your Currency

Prices listed are in Brazilian Reais (R$). For personalized quotes in USD, EUR, or other currencies, contact LDJ Travel directly at ldjtravelecia.com.

They’ll provide current exchange rates and can even discuss payment options that minimize conversion fees.

Payment Terms

LDJ Travel typically requires:

• Deposit: 30-50% upon booking confirmation
• Final Payment: 30 days before travel date
• Payment Methods: Bank transfer, credit card (may include processing fee), PayPal

Specific terms provided during booking process.

When to Visit Lençóis Maranhenses: Month-by-Month Guide

The eternal question: when should you go? The answer depends on what matters most to you—crowdsvs. solitude, guaranteed spectacular lagoons vs. budget pricing, perfect weather vs. authentic low-season experience.

Prime Season: June to September ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why it’s considered the best time:

• Lagoons are fullest: Maximum water levels create the largest, most impressive lagoons
• Weather is optimal: Warm but not oppressively hot, minimal rainfall, mostly sunny days
• Perfect photography conditions: Clear skies, vivid colors, ideal light
• Swimming is ideal: Water temperature is comfortable, depth allows proper swimming

July and August are peak: Most spectacular landscapes, but also highest accommodation prices and largest crowds (though “crowds” in Lençóis is relative—nothing compared to major tourist destinations).

June and September are sweet spots: Still excellent lagoon levels, slightly fewer tourists, potentially better pricing.

Best for: First-time visitors, photographers on tight schedules, travelers who want guaranteed spectacular conditions, those who don’t mind company.

Shoulder Season: May & October

May (Late Rainy Season):

• Lagoons are forming, often at decent levels by month’s end
• Landscape is lush and green from rains
• Fewer tourists
• Lower prices
• Risk of occasional rain, but usually not disruptive

October (Early Dry Season):

• Lagoons are beginning to recede but often still beautiful
• Weather remains good
• Fewer tourists than summer months
• More affordable pricing
• Some lagoons may be smaller or drying

Best for: Budget-conscious travelers, those seeking quieter experiences, flexible travelers who can adapt if conditions aren’t perfect.

Off-Season: November to April

November-December:

• Lagoons are significantly reduced or gone entirely
• Dunes are still beautiful (and you can appreciate their scale)
• Very few tourists
• Lowest prices
• Landscape is stark desert without water

January-April (Rainy Season):

• Rains begin replenishing lagoons (gradual process)
• More cloudy/rainy days (typically afternoon showers, not all-day rain)
• Very few tourists—authentic local experience
• Lowest accommodation prices
• Lagoons are incomplete (small, muddy, or not yet formed)
• May-June is when they fill sufficiently

Best for: Budget travelers accepting trade-offs, those who’ve been before and want a different experience, travelers more interested in culture and colonial São Luís than peak nature conditions.

The Honest Bottom Line

If you can only visit once and want the “classic” Lençóis Maranhenses experience with turquoise lagoons and pristine desert: July or August, accepting higher costs and more visitors.

If you want great conditions with better value: June or early September.

If budget is primary concern: May or October offer compromises—decent conditions, lower prices, fewer crowds.

If you’re adventurous and flexible: Any time can work, but manage expectations about lagoon levels outside June-September.

Why Book With LDJ Travel & Cia: The Details That Matter

When you’re investing thousands of reais and precious vacation days, choosing the right tour operator isn’t a minor detail—it determines whether your trip is seamless or stressful, enriching or frustrating.

Here’s why travelers consistently choose LDJ Travel & Cia for their Lençóis Maranhenses adventures:

💰 Complete Price Transparency

Those detailed pricing tables above? That’s unusual in the travel industry. Most operators hide behind “contact us for pricing,” forcing you into sales conversations before you can even budget properly.

LDJ Travel publishes complete pricing because they’re confident their value proposition stands on its own merits. No hidden fees, no surprise charges, no bait-and-switch tactics.

🧭 Seamless Logistics Management

Lençóis Maranhenses isn’t logistically simple:

• Flights into São Luís (regional airport, sometimes requiring connections)
• 4-hour drives between São Luís and Barreirinhas
• Coordinating shared vs. private transfers
• Timing tours around tides, weather, and daylight
• Managing accommodation in two different cities

LDJ Travel handles every detail, creating a itinerary that flows naturally without requiring you to think about logistics. You simply show up and experience—they’ve coordinated everything behind the scenes.

🌍 True English-Speaking Support

“English-speaking support” is often promised but rarely delivered comprehensively. With LDJ Travel, you get:

• Pre-trip communication in English (planning, questions, adjustments)
• English-speaking guides (or excellent translators) on all tours
• 24/7 WhatsApp support (+55 86 98866-0924) if issues arise
• Cultural context and explanations, not just translation

This matters enormously when you’re in remote Barreirinhas with questions, concerns, or needs.

🏝️ Accommodation Flexibility

By offering three distinct tiers (Economic, Comfort, Luxury), LDJ Travel respects that travelers have different budgets, priorities, and comfort requirements.

You’re never pressured toward more expensive options or made to feel inferior for choosing economic. Every tier is carefully selected for quality within its category.

🚗 Reliable, Comfortable Transportation

That 4-hour São Luís ↔ Barreirinhas drive can be comfortable or miserable depending on vehicle quality and driver experience. LDJ Travel uses:

• Well-maintained vehicles appropriate for the terrain
• Experienced drivers who know the route and drive safely
• Appropriate stops for restrooms and refreshments
• Private transfers (not cramped shared vans) for key segments

Transportation quality dramatically affects trip satisfaction, and LDJ Travel doesn’t cut corners here.

🎯 Customization When Needed

While this is a structured 5-day package, LDJ Travel customizes when possible:

• Need to extend São Luís time for business meetings? They adjust.
• Want to add extra days exploring Atins or Santo Amaro? They arrange it.
• Have specific dietary requirements? They communicate with restaurants.
• Need airport assistance for elderly family members? They provide it.

You’re working with a flexible, responsive team—not a rigid system.

💚 Local Expertise & Community Relationships

Based in nearby Parnaíba, LDJ Travel knows Maranhão intimately:

• Long-standing relationships with the best pousadas in Barreirinhas
• Partnerships with experienced guides who live in the region
• Knowledge of which lagoons are best during which conditions
• Insights into São Luís culture, restaurants, and hidden gems
• Quick problem-solving when weather or conditions require adjustment

This local expertise transforms a good trip into an exceptional one.

📱 Real-Time Support During Your Trip

Travel goes wrong sometimes—flights delay, weather changes plans, someone gets sick. When it happens, having 24/7 WhatsApp access to your tour operator provides invaluable peace of mind.

LDJ Travel doesn’t disappear after booking—they’re with you throughout the journey.

🌟 Proven Track Record

Check reviews, ask previous clients, research their reputation—LDJ Travel & Cia consistently earns praise for professionalism, reliability, and quality.

They’ve built their business on referrals and repeat clients, not aggressive marketing. That speaks volumes.

Essential Packing List & Travel Tips

What to Pack

Clothing:

• Lightweight, breathable clothing (cotton or quick-dry fabrics)
• Swimsuit (at least 2—you’ll be wet frequently)
• Sun protection: wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeve shirt, lightweight pants/skirt
• Comfortable walking shoes for São Luís
• Water shoes or sport sandals for lagoons and river tours
• Light jacket for air-conditioned buses and evening breezes

Sun Protection (critical—this is serious sun):

• High SPF sunscreen (30+ minimum, 50+ better)
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Lip balm with SPF
• After-sun lotion or aloe vera

Photography Gear:

• Camera (waterproof or with waterproof case/bag)
• Phone with waterproof protection
• Portable charger (power outlets may be limited on some tours)
• Plenty of memory cards—you’ll take thousands of photos

Other Essentials:

• Reusable water bottle
• Small daypack for tours
• Waterproof dry bag for electronics during boat tours
• Cash (many places don’t accept cards)
• Basic first aid kit (pain relievers, anti-diarrheal, bandaids)
• Insect repellent (mosquitoes near water)
• Personal medications

Don’t Overpack: You’re not attending galas. This is an adventure trip where sandy, sweaty, and casual is the norm.

Money & Budgeting

Currency: Brazilian Real (R$)

ATMs: Available in São Luís and Barreirinhas, but can run out of cash during peak season or weekends. Withdraw sufficient cash in São Luís before heading to Barreirinhas.

Credit Cards: Accepted at larger restaurants and hotels in São Luís, limited acceptance in Barreirinhas, rarely accepted at small river communities. Plan to use cash for most expenses.

Daily Budget Beyond Package (approximate):

• Dinners: R$ 40-80 per person (depends on restaurant choice)
• Drinks/snacks: R$ 20-40 per day
• Souvenirs: R$ 50-200 (optional)
• Tips: R$ 50-100 total for guides/drivers (optional but appreciated)

Budget R$ 200-300 per person per day for meals, drinks, and incidentals beyond what’s included in your package.

Health & Safety

Vaccinations: No required vaccinations for domestic Brazil travel, but recommended: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, routine vaccinations. Consult your doctor.

Water: Drink bottled water. Hotels provide it, restaurants serve it, you can purchase it everywhere. Don’t drink tap water.

Sun Exposure: The sun here is intense. Even on cloudy days, UV levels are high. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when outdoors. Heat exhaustion and sunburn are real risks.

Swimming Safety: Lagoons are freshwater and generally safe. Follow guide instructions. Don’t swim alone. Rivers can have currents—be cautious.

Crime: Both São Luís and Barreirinhas are relatively safe for tourists, but standard precautions apply: don’t flash expensive jewelry, be aware of surroundings at night, keep valuables secure.

Cultural Tips

Language: Portuguese is the primary language. English is limited outside tourist services. Learn basic Portuguese phrases—locals deeply appreciate the effort.

Greetings: Brazilians are warm and friendly. Standard greetings include “Bom dia” (good morning), “Boa tarde” (good afternoon), “Boa noite” (good evening).

Tipping: Not mandatory but appreciated.

Pace: Life moves slower in northeastern Brazil, especially small towns. Embrace it. Getting frustrated accomplishes nothing—flexibility and patience enhance your experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I visit Lençóis Maranhenses independently without a tour?

Technically possible but strongly not recommended. The logistics are complex, vehicles require 4×4 capability for desert driving, guides ensure you don’t get lost in vast featureless terrain, and coordinating everything independently is stressful and often more expensive than booking a package.

Is Lençóis Maranhenses safe for families with children?

Yes! The lagoons are generally shallow near edges (getting deeper toward centers), making them safe for supervised children. The tours are family-friendly. Just ensure children have good sun protection and stay hydrated.

What if weather is bad during my visit?

Occasional rain is possible even in dry season. Tours may be adjusted but rarely canceled entirely. If severe weather prevents touring, LDJ Travel works to reschedule or offer alternatives. Travel insurance is recommended.

How fit do I need to be?

Moderate fitness is sufficient. Trekking across dunes requires some effort (like walking on a beach but more challenging), but you go at your own pace. Most people of reasonable health manage fine.

Can I extend my trip?

Absolutely! LDJ Travel can add days in São Luís, extend Barreirinhas time, or combine this with other destinations (Jericoacoara, Parnaíba Delta, Santo Amaro/Atins). Just ask during

📱 WhatsApp: +55 86 98866-0924
✉️ Email: contact@ldjtravelecia.com
🌐 Website: ldjtravelecia.com

Book with LDJ Travel & Cia—your trusted partner for authentic Ceará adventures. From the famous beaches of Jericoacoara to the hidden mountain waterfalls of Viçosa, they specialize in showing you the real Brazil, one unforgettable experience at a time.