Things to do in Barreirinhas: tours, Preguiças River and Atins

The best things to do in Barreirinhas, the main gateway to Lençóis Maranhenses, are easy to pick: a full-day Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita tour (€68, 4.6/5 from 206 reviews), a day trip to Atins (€76, 4.7/5), a Preguiças River speedboat ride (€36) and the transfer from São Luís (€31). There are 21 activities in Barreirinhas, Atins and along the Preguiças, from €31 with a median of €73.

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.

Barreirinhas is a laid-back river town and the busiest entry point to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. Jeeps leave from here for the dunes, speedboats run down the river to the ocean, and day trips head to Atins, the kitesurfing village at the river mouth. The wider Lençóis Maranhenses region has 50 activities with a median price of €75.5.

The 10 best things to do in Barreirinhas

1. Full-day Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita tour — €68, 4.6/5 from 206 reviews, 11 hours. Both classic lagoon circuits in one day, with swims between the dunes.
2. Explore Atins: lagoon, dunes and village — €76, 4.7/5 from 73 reviews, 8 hours. Dunes, a lagoon swim and the fishing village at the mouth of the Preguiças.
3. Lagoons, Atins and Canto do Atins — €79, 4.5/5 from 57 reviews, 8 hours, adding the point where the river meets the sea.
4. Lagoa Bonita, high dunes and sunset — €63, 4.7/5 from 62 reviews, 5 hours. Climb the tallest dunes on the circuit and watch the sun go down.
5. Lagoa Bonita sunset tour — €42, 4.3/5 from 96 reviews, 4 hours. The cheapest way to catch sunset in the dunes.
6. Preguiças River speedboat tour — €36, 4.2/5 from 19 reviews, 5 hours, through mangroves down to the coast.
7. Half-day Lagoa Azul and Maranhão tour — €63, 4.5/5 from 18 reviews, 3 hours. A quick lagoon swim if you are short on time.
8. Atins circuit: tropical lagoon, Canto and wild beach — €72, 5.0/5 from 6 reviews, 8 hours.
9. Atins by 4×4 with Kite Lagoon and Ponta do Mangue — €73, 4.6/5 from 4 reviews, 8 hours, great for a look at the kitesurf scene.
10. Quad bike expedition across the dunes — €175, 4.9/5 from 9 reviews, 9 hours, with you at the handlebars.

Also worth a look: the morning Lagoa Azul tour (€42, 4.5/5 from 54 reviews) and the Rancharia lagoon circuit in Santo Amaro (€68, 9 hours) on the other side of the park. Torn between the two classic circuits? Read Lagoa Azul vs Lagoa Bonita.

Quick comparison: price, rating and pickup

Activity	From	Rating	Reviews	Duration	Spanish guide	Pickup
Lagoa Azul & Lagoa Bonita (full day)	€68	4.6/5	206	11 h	No	Yes
Explore Atins	€76	4.7/5	73	8 h	Yes	Yes
Lagoons, Atins & Canto do Atins	€79	4.5/5	57	8 h	Yes	Yes
Lagoa Bonita at sunset	€63	4.7/5	62	5 h	Yes	Yes
Lagoa Bonita sunset tour	€42	4.3/5	96	4 h	No	Yes
Preguiças River speedboat	€36	4.2/5	19	5 h	No	Yes
Lagoa Azul half day	€63	4.5/5	18	3 h	No	Yes
São Luís–Barreirinhas transfer	€31	3.9/5	353	4,5 h	No	Yes

What to choose for your trip

One full day

Book the full-day two-lagoon tour (€68, 11 hours), the most reviewed activity in Barreirinhas. For something shorter, the morning Lagoa Azul tour (€42, 5 hours) leaves the afternoon free.

Two or three days

Spend one day on the lagoons, one afternoon on a Lagoa Bonita sunset and another day in Atins. The 5-hour river trip fits neatly into your arrival or departure morning.

Adventure seekers

A quad bike tour costs from €171 for 9 hours. The cheaper alternative is the Atins 4×4 circuit with the Kite Lagoon (€73).

3-day Barreirinhas itinerary

Day 1: arrive on the morning transfer from São Luís (€31, about 4.5 hours) and head out for the Lagoa Bonita sunset tour (€42). Activities: €42 plus the transfer.

Day 2: the full-day Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita tour (€68, 11 hours). Bring swimwear, water and sunscreen. Activities: €68.

Day 3: choose the Preguiças speedboat (€36, 5 hours) or a full day in Atins (€76, 8 hours). Activities: €36–76.

That comes to €146–186 per person in activities over three days, plus €31 for the one-way transfer.

How much do activities in Barreirinhas cost?

• São Luís–Barreirinhas transfer: €31 each way.
• Preguiças River speedboat: €36.
• Half-day and sunset lagoon tours: €42–63.
• Full-day lagoon tours: €68–75.
• Atins day trips: €72–80.
• Quad bike tours: €171–217; private park tours are priced per group.

The median activity in Barreirinhas, Atins and on the Preguiças costs €73. Almost every tour includes pickup from your guesthouse, so you will not need a car. Prices are refreshed daily and the final one shows when you pick a date.

Plan your trip

Getting there: fly into São Luís, the capital of Maranhão, then drive about 250 km to Barreirinhas; the shared transfer takes around 4.5 hours. Getting around: the town is walkable, but the park’s sand tracks need a 4×4 with a local driver, which is why most visitors book tours with pickup. Atins and Caburé are reached by boat or 4×4.

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 late in the year many shrink or dry out. Where to stay: Barreirinhas by the river for the widest choice of guesthouses and tours, Atins for quiet and kitesurfing, Caburé for a night on a sandbar between river and sea.

Practical tips

• Book ahead for July and August, peak season with full lagoons.
• There is no shade or shop in the dunes: carry water, a hat, sunglasses and water-resistant sunscreen.
• Lagoa Bonita involves a steep dune climb; Lagoa Azul is easier if mobility is a concern.
• Use a waterproof phone pouch on the speedboat and river crossings.
• Tours to Atins come with a Spanish-speaking guide; 20 of the region’s 50 activities offer one, so check English options on each activity page.

FAQ

How many days do you need in Barreirinhas?

Two full days cover both classic lagoons and a sunset. Three or four let you add Atins and the Preguiças River.

What is the top-rated tour?

The Explore Atins tour scores 4.7/5 from 73 reviews, tied with the Lagoa Bonita sunset and high dunes tour (4.7/5 from 62). The most booked is the full-day two-lagoon tour, with 206 reviews.

How do I get from São Luís to Barreirinhas?

By road, about 250 km. The shared transfer costs €31, takes about 4.5 hours and includes pickup.

What do you see on the Preguiças River trip?

The classic route runs through mangroves and usually stops at Vassouras, the Mandacaru lighthouse and Caburé; check the stops on the activity page. It costs €36 for 5 hours.

When is the best time to visit?

June to September, when the lagoons are usually fullest. July is the busiest month.

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.

Related searches

• things to do in Barreirinhas
• Lençóis Maranhenses tours
• Atins day trip
• Preguiças River boat tour
• Lagoa Azul tour
• Lagoa Bonita sunset
• São Luís to Barreirinhas transfer
• Lençóis Maranhenses quad tour
• Santo Amaro lagoons
• Lagoa Azul vs Lagoa Bonita

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• #Preguiças River