Jericoacoara to Lençóis Maranhenses
Fortaleza to São Luís (or reverse) — Jeri's trade winds, the Delta's silence, lagoons between white dunes.
The Route — 5 days
International airport with direct European flights (Iberia Madrid, Air France Paris). Same-day transfer to Jericoacoara or overnight in the city center.
Sunset Dune painted orange, Pedra Furada carved against the sea, Lagoa do Paraíso with waist-deep warm water. Consistent trade winds for kitesurfing August through December. 14 must-sees
View full guide →The only open-sea delta in the Americas. Mangrove channels between islands, scarlet ibis flocks at sunset, silence that only exists far from any road. 5 must-sees
View full guide →Gateway to Lençóis Maranhenses (UNESCO World Heritage 2024) — Lagoa Azul mirroring the sky between white dunes, Lagoa Bonita isolated in silence, and the Preguiças River drifting lazily down to Caburé. 8 must-sees
View full guide →Where the sand road ends and time stops. Legendary point break between dunes, kitesurfing on deserted beach, candlelit dinners with fresh fish from the river. 6 must-sees
View full guide →UNESCO World Heritage historic center, Portuguese tiles faded by centuries. One last stroll through the Reviver district before the airport.
The Route — 7 days
International airport with direct European flights (Iberia Madrid, Air France Paris). Same-day transfer to Jericoacoara or overnight in the city center.
Sunset Dune painted orange, Pedra Furada carved against the sea, Lagoa do Paraíso with waist-deep warm water. Consistent trade winds for kitesurfing August through December. 14 must-sees
View full guide →The only open-sea delta in the Americas. Mangrove channels between islands, scarlet ibis flocks at sunset, silence that only exists far from any road. 5 must-sees
View full guide →Gateway to Lençóis Maranhenses (UNESCO World Heritage 2024) — Lagoa Azul mirroring the sky between white dunes, Lagoa Bonita isolated in silence, and the Preguiças River drifting lazily down to Caburé. 8 must-sees
View full guide →Where the sand road ends and time stops. Legendary point break between dunes, kitesurfing on deserted beach, candlelit dinners with fresh fish from the river. 6 must-sees
View full guide →UNESCO World Heritage historic center, Portuguese tiles faded by centuries. One last stroll through the Reviver district before the airport.
The Route — 10 days
International airport with direct European flights (Iberia Madrid, Air France Paris). Same-day transfer to Jericoacoara or overnight in the city center.
Sunset Dune painted orange, Pedra Furada carved against the sea, Lagoa do Paraíso with waist-deep warm water. Consistent trade winds for kitesurfing August through December. 14 must-sees
View full guide →The only open-sea delta in the Americas. Mangrove channels between islands, scarlet ibis flocks at sunset, silence that only exists far from any road. 5 must-sees
View full guide →Gateway to Lençóis Maranhenses (UNESCO World Heritage 2024) — Lagoa Azul mirroring the sky between white dunes, Lagoa Bonita isolated in silence, and the Preguiças River drifting lazily down to Caburé. 8 must-sees
View full guide →Where the sand road ends and time stops. Legendary point break between dunes, kitesurfing on deserted beach, candlelit dinners with fresh fish from the river. 6 must-sees
View full guide →UNESCO World Heritage historic center, Portuguese tiles faded by centuries. One last stroll through the Reviver district before the airport.
How much it costs — 5 days per person
- TransfersR$400
- AccommodationR$400
- FoodR$400
- ActivitiesR$300
- TransfersR$550
- AccommodationR$1.100
- FoodR$650
- ActivitiesR$500
- TransfersR$800
- AccommodationR$2.000
- FoodR$900
- ActivitiesR$800
Estimated values for 2026. Does not include airfare. Intense pace — 5 days with Delta as transit only.
How much it costs — 7 days per person
- TransfersR$550
- AccommodationR$600
- FoodR$500
- ActivitiesR$350
- TransfersR$700
- AccommodationR$1.400
- FoodR$850
- ActivitiesR$550
- TransfersR$1.000
- AccommodationR$2.500
- FoodR$1.100
- ActivitiesR$900
Estimated values for 2026. Does not include airfare. Includes 1 night in the Delta — to skip, subtract ~R$150-300.
How much it costs — 10 days per person
- TransfersR$650
- AccommodationR$900
- FoodR$750
- ActivitiesR$500
- TransfersR$800
- AccommodationR$2.000
- FoodR$1.200
- ActivitiesR$800
- TransfersR$1.200
- AccommodationR$3.500
- FoodR$1.600
- ActivitiesR$1.200
Estimated values for 2026. Does not include airfare. With 10 days, the cost per day drops — more nights in each place, fewer transfers.
Start from São Luís or Fortaleza?
✈ Fortaleza → São Luís
Start with Jericoacoara (the most popular destination with the best infrastructure) and end at the Lençóis lagoons. Ideal between June and August — the lagoons will be full when you arrive. Fortaleza has more direct international flights (Iberia Madrid, Air France Paris).
✈ São Luís → Fortaleza
Start with the lagoons (the most season-sensitive highlight — depends on sufficient rainfall) and end with Jeri's winds. Best if traveling September through November, prioritizing kitesurfing. Flights to São Luís are usually 10-20% cheaper.
Best time for each section
- 🌊 Lençóis Maranhenses — Lagoons full from June to September. Peak in July (school holidays, more expensive). August is the smart month: full lagoons, fewer crowds.
- 💨 Jericoacoara (kite) — Strong, consistent wind from August to December. Peak September-November. Outside wind season, Jeri still works for non-kiters.
- 🌀 Parnaíba Delta (optional) — If including the Delta, best May through August — wildlife more active, pleasant climate. Outside this window, consider skipping straight to Barreirinhas.
- 🌦 Avoid — January to March: heavy rain in Maranhão, lagoons without water in Lençóis, bad roads between Tutóia and Parnaíba.
Getting started
From São Luís (alternative start): Marechal Cunha Machado Airport (SLZ) with flights from São Paulo, Brasília, and Belém. Flights usually 10-20% cheaper. Van to Barreirinhas: ~4h, 5+ daily departures.
Jericoacoara environmental tax: R$41.50/person (valid for 7 days). Paid at the village entrance.
What to pack: SPF 50+ sunscreen, hat, insect repellent, sandals that handle sand and water, light clothing, windbreaker for speedboats and Jeri's winds. Cash is essential — Atins has no ATMs and very few card terminals.
Want Ponte to organize your transfers?
Our assistant books available legs and quotes the rest with local partners.
1 of 5 legs bookable via WhatsApp