Rota das Emocoes on a Budget 8 Days of Adventure, Nature, and Beach Brazil | Sao Luis, Lencois Maranhenses, Jericoacoara, Fortaleza
Experience the Road of Emotions (Rota das Emocoes) on a budget. From Sao Luis, you will drive through one of Brazil's most fascinating landscapes, stopping for excursions in Barreirinhas, Lencois Maranhenses and Rio Preguicas, and crossing the Delta das Americas, before your arrival in wonderful Jericoacoara. For some of the tours, you will travel in international groups without a guide in an off-road vehicle, boat, and beach buggy. Be prepared for emotional moments in a mesmerizing landscape.
Itinerary
Day 2: Transfer to Barreirinhas and Excursion in Lencois Maranhenses
Included: Transfer (in-group, 4h) | 4x4-Excursion into the Dunes (in-group, 4h) | Breakfast
Your day will start with a group transfer to Barreirinhas, which is the gateway to Lencois Maranhenses National Park. The route is around 185 miles (300 kilometers), which will take 4 hours by van / minibus. In Barreirinhas, you will check into your pousada and then have some free time for lunch (not included). In the early afternoon, you will head out with an international group in an offroad vehicle to the national park, around 9 miles (15 kilometers) outside the town. On route, you will cross a river on a raft, and there may be a wait depending on the amount of traffic. Usually the drive takes about 1 hour on a sandy road lined with cashew trees. In the park, you will have the chance to explore freely and enjoy a refreshing swim in the natural pools among the sand dunes. You will remain in the park to enjoy the spectacular sunset in this unforgettable landscape. You will then head back to your pousada in Barreirinhas.
Overnight: Pousada do Buriti, Standard room
Day 3: Boat Tour on Rio Preguicas
Included: Boat Excursion (in-group, 6h) | Breakfast
In the morning, you will board a motorboat with other guests. You will head downstream on Rio Preguicas in the direction of the Atlantic Ocean. On the way you will pass quaint villages, mysterious mangrove forests, and swaying palm trees where you can try to spot native birds. Your first stop is Vassouras, otherwise known as “Little Lencois,” where giant sand dunes reach into the river. Here, you may have to wait to disembark as only about five boats can dock at the same time. The tour then continues to the village of Mandacaru, where a lighthouse (currently closed) provides sweeping views of the region. The last stop of the day is in Cabure, a sand bar between the river and the ocean. Here, you will spend 1 to 2 hours and have the chance to eat lunch (not included), swim, or relax in a hammock. Afterwards you will return to Barreirinhas (1 hour). The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish.
Overnight: Pousada do Buriti, Standard room
Day 4: Boat Tour through Delta das Americas to Parnaiba
Included: Transfer and Boat Excursion to Parnaiba (private) | Breakfast
In the morning, a private transfer will take you to Tutoia. This is the starting point for your leisurely private boat excursion across the Delta das Americas. On and around the 85 islands in the Delta, you may be able to spot caimans, monkeys, turtles, and birds sharing deserted beaches and mangrove forests with the local fishermen. The tour lasts approximately 4 hours before you dock in Porto dos Tatus, and from there travel on to your pousada in Parnaiba (20 minute drive).
Overnight: Pousada Vila Parnaiba, Semi-deluxe room
Day 5: Buggy Tour along the Beach to Jericoacoara
Included: Transfer (private, 1.5h), 4x4 Buggy Transfer (private) | Breakfast
After breakfast, you will head off on the last section of the route to Jericoacoara. First, you will be driven to Camocim, which will take about 1.5 hours. You will then hop into a beach buggy and continue along the coast until you reach Jericoacoara. The trip will take about 2 to 5 hours, depending on how many stops you make along the way to explore the otherworldly dune landscape. In Jericoacoara, you will be taken to your accommodation, ready to enjoy the next 2 days in paradise.
Overnight: Pousada Bella Jeri, Standard room
Day 6 and 7: Leisure Time in Jericoacoara
Included: Breakfast
In Jericoacoara, you will be able to rest after this exciting tour. The town is home to many shops, bars, and other leisure facilities. Throughout the year, visitors and residents alike are usually spoiled with glorious beach weather, and the wind conditions are exceptionally good for watersports. On the beach or in a hammock, you could enjoy the sun and ocean breeze with a refreshing Caipirinha cocktail. You could also take some additional optional day trips (not included). Some guests find they are tempted to prolong their relaxing stay in Jericoacoara.
Overnight: Pousada Bella Jeri, Standard room
Day 8: Transfer to Fortaleza
Included: Transfer (private, 6h) | Breakfast
Today it is time to say goodbye. A private transfer of about 6 hours will take you to the airport in Fortaleza.
Included
- All transfers detailed above
- 2 day trips (in-group with a Portuguese-speaking guide)
- 2 day trips (with a private Portuguese-speaking guide)
- 1 night at Pousada Casa Lavinia, Standard room
- 2 nights at Pousada do Buriti, Standard room
- 1 night at Pousada Vila Parnaiba, Semi-deluxe room
- 3 nights at Pousada Bella Jeri, Standard room
- 7 breakfasts
Not included are airfare, insurance, beverages, meals not indicated in the itinerary, tips, and personal expenses.
Info
- To enjoy a personalized experience, we recommend private excursions on days 2 and 3 in Barreirinhas. That way, you will be able to avoid crowds and explore the region in a more flexible and independent manner.
- Due to the small luggage compartments in the buggies, each passenger may bring only 1 larger piece of baggage and 1 piece of hand luggage (more luggage may be booked only upon request).
- The best time to visit Lencois Maranhenses is from June to October as the lagoons are mostly filled with water and it hardly rains. December to February are not good months for this tour. In November and December, the water level in the lagoons sinks. In January and February, it rains very often and only slowly do the lagoons fill with water. It may rain more frequently in March and April, but the lagoons will already have a higher water level. After a bad rainy season, the lagoons can dry up by August. After a good rainy season, however, the water in the lagoons can last until December.
Please be aware that you will have to pay a tourism fee of about USD 1.50 per person per day upon arrival in Jericoacoara. The tourism fee is not included in the price of this package. After paying, you should keep your receipt which must handed over when leaving Jericoacoara.