Lagoa Azul or Lagoa Bonita: which Lençóis Maranhenses tour to choose
Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita are the two classic lagoon circuits in Lençóis Maranhenses from Barreirinhas, and the short answer is: do both if you can. The full-day tour combining Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita costs from €75, is rated 4.8/5 from 346 reviews and is the most booked tour in the park. Short on time? The morning Lagoa Azul tour starts at €42, and Lagoa Bonita at sunset at €42–63.
The Tours Brasil catalogue lists 36 lagoon tours under Lençóis Maranhenses, from €38 with a median of €75.50. Here is how the two circuits differ, which one suits your fitness and schedule, and the quieter alternatives in Atins and Santo Amaro.
Prices, ratings and review counts updated on November 9, 2026 from the GetYourGuide catalogue. Tours Brasil is a GetYourGuide affiliate: booking through our links costs you the same and we earn a small commission.
Lagoa Azul vs Lagoa Bonita: the key differences
- Lagoa Azul: the easier circuit. The 4×4 drops you close to the dunes and the first lagoons are a short walk away. Great with kids or limited time; usually done in the morning.
- Lagoa Bonita: you climb a tall, steep dune first, but the view over the sea of dunes is the best in the park. The favourite circuit for sunset.
- Combined: Lagoa Azul in the morning and Lagoa Bonita at sunset in a single day. The top-rated option in the catalogue.
Both circuits start with a bumpy 4×4 ride on sand tracks from Barreirinhas, including a crossing of the Preguiças River.
The best Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita tours
Ranked by bookings and verified reviews. All include pickup.
- Full day: Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita combined — from €75, 4.8/5 from 346 reviews.
- Barreirinhas 2-lagoon full day — from €68, 11 hours, 4.6/5 from 206 reviews. The cheaper way to do both.
- Lagoa Bonita, high dunes and sunset — from €63, 5 hours, 4.7/5. The best-rated Lagoa Bonita tour.
- Lagoa Bonita sunset — from €42, 4 hours, 4.3/5 from 96 reviews.
- Morning Lagoa Azul tour — from €42, 5 hours, 4.5/5 from 54 reviews.
- Lagoa Bonita and dunes route — from €57, 5 hours, 4.6/5.
- Explore Atins: lagoon, dunes and village — from €76, 8 hours, 4.7/5 from 73 reviews.
- Lagoons, Atins and Canto do Atins — from €79, 8 hours, 4.5/5.
- Santo Amaro circuits (Rancharia, Betânia) — from €66–68, 9 hours, far fewer visitors.
Quick comparison: price, rating and duration
| Activity | From | Rating | Reviews | Duration | Spanish guide | Pickup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lagoa Azul + Lagoa Bonita combined | €75 | 4.8/5 | 346 | 1 d | No | Yes |
| 2-lagoon full day | €68 | 4.6/5 | 206 | 11 h | No | Yes |
| Lagoa Bonita, high dunes, sunset | €63 | 4.7/5 | 62 | 5 h | Yes | Yes |
| Lagoa Bonita sunset | €42 | 4.3/5 | 96 | 4 h | No | Yes |
| Morning Lagoa Azul | €42 | 4.5/5 | 54 | 5 h | No | Yes |
| Lagoa Bonita route | €57 | 4.6/5 | 23 | 5 h | Yes | Yes |
| Explore Atins | €76 | 4.7/5 | 73 | 8 h | Yes | Yes |
| Rancharia lagoon (Santo Amaro) | €68 | 4.4/5 | 9 | 9 h | No | Yes |
Best seller
Lençóis Maranhenses1 d
Excursión de un día completo a los Lençóis Maranhenses, Lagoa Azul y Lagoa Bonita combinadas
Pickup
4.8 (346) from€75
Best seller
Lençóis Maranhenses11 h
Barreirinhas: tour de día completo - 2 lagunas (Azul y Bonita)
Pickup
4.6 (206) from€68
Best seller
Lençóis Maranhenses5 h
Lagoa Bonita, dunas altas y atardecer en Lençóis
SpanishPickup
4.7 (62) from
Lençóis Maranhenses4 h
Puesta de sol en la laguna Bonita
Pickup
4.3 (96) from€42
Lençóis Maranhenses8 h
Explora Atins: laguna, dunas y un pueblo con encanto
SpanishPickup
4.7 (73) from€76
Lençóis Maranhenses5 h
Tour de mañana en los Lençóis Maranhenses (Lagoa Azul)
Pickup
4.5 (54) from€42
Which circuit should you choose?
One day in Barreirinhas
Book the combined Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita tour (€75, 4.8/5), or the 2-lagoon full day at €68 to save a little.
Two days
Split them: a morning Lagoa Azul tour on day one and Lagoa Bonita at sunset on day two. Each visit is more relaxed and you have time for other things to do in Lençóis Maranhenses without rushing.
With kids or limited mobility
Stick to Lagoa Azul: no big climb and the lagoons are close to where the 4×4 parks. The Lagoa Bonita climb is short but tough in the heat.
Avoiding the crowds
Try Atins (4.7/5) or the Santo Amaro circuits. The private full-day Santo Amaro lagoon tour costs €441 per group, not per person.
Barreirinhas, Atins or Santo Amaro: where to stay
Barreirinhas is the most practical base. It has the widest choice of places to stay and eat, and almost every Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita tour starts there. Atins, at the mouth of the river, is a small village with sandy streets, ideal for slowing down for a few days. Santo Amaro sits on the western side of the park and has its own lagoons with far fewer visitors. First time in Lençóis? Start in Barreirinhas, do the classic circuits, then move on to Atins if you have extra nights.
3-day Lençóis Maranhenses itinerary
Day 1: transfer from São Luís to Barreirinhas (€31, about 4.5 hours, with pickup) and Lagoa Bonita at sunset (€42). Day 2: morning Lagoa Azul tour (€42) and a free afternoon. Day 3: Explore Atins (€76, 8 hours), or the cheaper Preguiças River speedboat trip (€36).
Total for activities and transfer: €191 per person over three days, or €151 with the river trip instead of Atins.
How much do the lagoon tours cost?
- Half day (Lagoa Azul or Lagoa Bonita): €42–63.
- Full day with both lagoons: €68–75.
- Atins and Canto do Atins: €76–79.
- Santo Amaro: €66–68 per person; €441 per group private.
The median lagoon tour costs €75.50. Doing the two circuits separately (€42 + €42 = €84) costs only a little more than the combined tour (€75), so choose based on time, not price. Prices are indicative and refreshed daily.
Plan your trip
Getting there: fly to São Luís, the capital of Maranhão, then travel about 4.5 hours by road to Barreirinhas; the shared transfer costs €31 and has 353 reviews. Getting around: inside the national park you only move by 4×4 on sand tracks and on foot over the dunes, so a tour is the norm; boats on the Preguiças River link Barreirinhas and Atins. When to go: the lagoons fill with the rains of the first half of the year and are usually at their best from June to September; by the end of the year many are low or dry.
Practical tips
- Go when the lagoons are full, typically mid-year after the rainy season.
- There is no shade on the dunes: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and plenty of water.
- You walk barefoot, and the sand burns at midday, which is why tours run morning or afternoon.
- Wear your swimsuit and bring a dry bag for your phone.
- The 4×4 ride is bumpy; sit up front if you get motion sick.
- Check cancellation terms on each activity page before paying.
FAQ
Which is better, Lagoa Azul or Lagoa Bonita?
Lagoa Bonita has the bigger views and the best sunset; Lagoa Azul is easier to reach. If you can, combine them: the combined tour is rated 4.8/5.
How much is the Lagoa Azul tour?
The morning tour starts at €42 (5 hours, 4.5/5) and the shorter half-day option at €63 (3 hours).
Do I need to be fit for Lagoa Bonita?
Average fitness is enough. The climb is short but steep; take it slowly and bring water.
Are there tours with Spanish-speaking guides?
Yes: the high-dunes sunset tour, the Lagoa Bonita route and the Atins tours list a Spanish-speaking guide.
When do the lagoons have water?
Usually from June to September, after the rainy season. By the end of the year many lagoons are low or dry.
How do I get from São Luís to Barreirinhas?
By road in about 4.5 hours. The shared transfer with pickup costs €31 (3.9/5 from 353 reviews).
Do I need a visa for Brazil?
Since 10 April 2025, US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa to visit Brazil. UK and EU passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Always check the official Brazilian consulate website before travelling.
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