Sao Luis and Lencois Maranhenses on a Budget 4 Days of Nature and Adventure Brazil | Sao Luis, Lencois Maranhenses

Included: Transfer with Meet and Greet (private)

Upon arrival in Sao Luis, you will be picked up from the airport and taken to your accommodation. There, a guide will welcome you and explain your itinerary in more detail. The rest of the day is yours to do as you wish. You might want to explore the car-free historic center of Sao Luis, which offers a trip back in time with its plentiful well-preserved colonial buildings. Sao Luis is also the capital of “Nordestino-Reggae,” and its many charming bars offer live music on a regular basis.

Overnight: Casa Lavinia, Standard room

Included: Transfer (in-group) | 4x4-Excursion into the Dunes (in-group) | Breakfast

You will start the day with a group transfer to Barreirinhas, the gateway to Lencois Maranhenses. The journey is about 185 miles (300 kilometers), which will take about 4 hours by van / minibus. In Barreirinhas, you will first check into your accommodation, and then you will have some free time for lunch (not included). At around 2:00 p.m., you will set off with your group in an off-road jeep towards the national park, about 9 miles (15 kilometers) outside the town. On route, you will cross a river on a raft, which may cause a small delay depending on the amount of visitors. The drive takes about 1 hour along a sand track lined by cashew trees. When you arrive at the Lencois, you are free to walk around and see what lies beyond the dunes, and time permitting, enjoy a refreshing swim in one of the natural pools. Later, you will enjoy a spectacular sunset in this unforgettable landscape. After sunset, you will head back to Barreirinhas via the same route.

Overnight: Pousada do Buriti, Standard room

Included: Boat Excursion (in-group) | Transfer (in-group) | Breakfast

In the morning, you will board a motor boat with the other guests. Your tour will lead you down the Rio Preguicas in the direction of the Atlantic Ocean. You will pass quaint villages, mysterious mangrove forests, and swaying palm trees, where you can try to spot native birds. The first stop is Vassouras, where giant sand dunes reach into the river, otherwise known as “Little Lencois.” This is a remote place, inhabited by only two families. You can climb up the dunes, drink fresh coconut milk, and with luck, spot some monkeys. There may be a wait to disembark as only around five boats can dock at the same time. The excursion continues to the village of Mandacaru, where a lighthouse (currently closed) grants amazing views over the region. The last stop is in Cabure, a sand bar between the river and ocean. You will stay there for around 1 to 2 hours and have the opportunity to eat lunch (not included), take a refreshing dip in the sea, or relax in a hammock. Afterwards you will return to Barreirinhas by boat, which takes around an hour. There, you will have between 1 and 2 hours to enjoy free time and pick up your luggage. At around 4:30 p.m., you will return in a group transfer to Sao Luis and arrive between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. to check into your pousada.

Overnight: Casa Lavinia, Standard room

Included: Transfer (private) | Breakfast

Full of wonderful memories, you will leave Sao Luis, and depending on the time of your departure, you will be taken to the airport.