How to get to Lençóis Maranhenses: a step-by-step guide

Getting to Lençóis Maranhenses from major Brazilian cities like Rio or São Paulo is a 2 to 3-step journey:

1. Flying to São Luís
2. Driving from São Luís to Barreirinhas or Santo Amaro
3. (Optional) Getting a boat to Atins if you want to explore the most hyped side of the park.

I know that this sounds like a lot, but each step is quite short! If you time it right, you can do it all in one day!

The 3-step journey to Lençóis Maranhenses

Step 1: Fly to São Luís (SLZ)

The closest airport to the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is in the Aeroporto Internacional de São Luís (SLZ), located in the city of São Luís, Maranhão.

From São Paulo, you can get to São Luís in 3.5 hours. If you’re flying from Rio, you’ll likely have a short stopover in São Paulo, Brasília, or Recife, making the total trip lasts 5 to 6 hours.

Several great Brazilian airlines offer flights to São Luís: Azul Airlines, Gol Airlines, and LATAM Airlines. If booked early, a one-way flight from Rio or São Paulo to São Luís in the high season costs about R$500 (100 USD).

Step 2: Get from São Luís to Barreirinhas or Santo Amaro

Barreirinhas and Santo Amaro are base towns to Lençóis Maranhenses that are a ~3 hour drive away from São Luís, and you can get on the road by:

Option #1: Taking a prebooked transfer

Various companies offer group transfers from São Luís to Barreirinhas or Santo Amaro multiple times a day.

The one-way transfer takes ~4 hours and costs ~R$110 per person for a van seat or R$350+ for a private car ( fitting up to 4 people). To book a transfer ticket, you should message your preferred tour operator via WhatsApp.

Recommended Transfer Operators & Private Driver
🚐 Transfer operators: Frank Tur Barreirinhas, Encanto dos Lençóis, Transfer Barreirinhas
🚙 Private driver: Nelson (WhatsApp number: +55 98 98175-2008), who transported my friend from São Luís to Barreirinhas (one-way) for R$350 in August 2024. My friend enjoyed the experience and highly recommended Nelson!

Option #2: Renting a Car

You can easily pre-book a rental a car and pick it up the airport in São Luís. However, deciding whether driving is worth it or not depends on what Lençóis Maranhenses base city you plan to stay in:

✅ Barreirinhas: driving is a great option if you plan to just stay there. The roads are completely paved and driving through them is a breeze.
✅ Santo Amaro: as of 2018 there is a paved road connecting Santo Amaro and São Luís
❌ Atins: driving is not an option because a boat transfer from Barreirinhas to Atins is needed to arrive in town!

Step 3: (only if you are heading to Atins) Getting a boat from Barreirinhas to Atins

The easiest way to get from Barreirinhas to Atins is on a motorboat transfer, I booked mine with Satur Atins and enjoyed the experience a lot. The boat transfer costs R$80 per person and moves through Rio Preguiças, offering stunning views of the local landscape.

Boat transfers typically run a maximum of twice a day, even during high season, so plan your Lençóis Maranhenses itinerary accordingly.

Important to note: Make sure to pre-book a transfer from the port in Atins to your hotel. Your hotel or the motorboat transfer can help you arrange this! Upon arriving in Atins, you’ll be dropped in a sandy area without any infrastructure, and getting transportation on the spot is nearly impossible!

The wrap-up: How to get to Lençóis Maranhenses

Now that you know how to go to Lençóis Maranhenses from big cities like Rio by following a 2-3 step journey, check out the best things to do in this amazing Brazilian National Park!