Lençóis Maranhenses
Santo Amaro do Maranhão
-2.500, -43.237
You are viewing Santo Amaro do Maranhão, part of the Lençóis Maranhenses ecosystem. Navigate to nearby villages.
About Santo Amaro do Maranhão
Inside the dune field. Access to Emendadas and Betânia lagoons. Rising star 2024-2026.
Santo Amaro do Maranhão is Barreirinhas's secret alternative: its lagoons — Gaivota, América, Emendadas, Rancharia — are larger, deeper, and hold water into October while Barreirinhas lagoons dry up in August. You can walk to the lagoons in roughly one hour directly from the village center, with no river crossing or mandatory jeep.
Quick facts
ATM
Not available
Cell signal
Weak
WiFi
Hotels & commercial venues
Road type
Mixed
Airport
São Luís (SLZ)
Distance
~3h45 by car (via paved MA-402)
Seasonal highlights
Jul-Oct
Full lagoons accessible on foot — best effort-to-reward ratio in the park
Year-round
Luau das Estrelas — stargazing excursion on the dunes at dusk
When to go
Best: Apr–Aug
28°C
Ideal / ExcellentGood / PossibleAvoid
Places to discover
9 places
Don't miss300 minMost BeautifulNatureAdventure
Lagoa das Emendadas
Considered the most beautiful lagoon in Santo Amaro. Access via guided trekking.
Don't miss180 minMost BeautifulNatureAdventure
Circuito Lagoas Emendadas
Considered the most beautiful circuit in Lençóis. 1h40 hike.
Largest VenueDining
Dunas Bistro
Largest restaurant in Santo Amaro. Dining hall, kiosks, outdoor patio with stage for shows.
Giant PrawnsDining
Restaurante do Gordo
Famous for Malaysian prawns - large freshwater shrimp. Simple but unmissable.
Non-SeafoodDining
Jordan Hamburgueria
Artisanal burger with blend grilled on charcoal. Alternative to shrimp.
GoatDining
Restaurante Água Doce
First good restaurant in the village. At the guesthouse of the same name.
River ViewDiningViewpoints
Rota do Sabor
Deck with view of Rio Alegre. Fish, shrimp, and carne de sol.
Don't miss480 minFull DayNatureculture
Circuito Betania
Full-day tour. Lagoons, traditional community, Rio Alegre, sunset.
Local Services
View all →Coopdunas
Santo Amaro Tourism Cooperative
Official PartnerSanto Amaro
COOPSOL - Cooperativa Santo Amaro
Local Tourism Cooperative
VerifiedSanto Amaro
Amorim Turismo
4x4 & Boat Tours
VerifiedSanto Amaro
How to get here
Nearest airport
São Luís ➝ Santo Amaro
260 km · ~4h30min total
Barreirinhas ➝ Santo Amaro96 km
🚐 Transfer Barreirinhas ➝ Santo Amaro · 1h30-2h
Nearby villages
Lençóis MaranhensesRegional HubBarreirinhas
Main gateway to Lençóis. Tourism operations hub.
12 places
Lençóis MaranhensesAtins
Bohemian village at the mouth of the Preguiças River. Kitesurfing, gastronomy, and rustic charm.
14 places
Lençóis MaranhensesPaulino Neves
Connection point between Lençóis and Delta. Pequenos Lençóis and Rio Novo.
4 places
Tide forecast
Tide advice
Lençóis lagoons are not affected by tides. River crossings depend on tide level.
Moon
Waxing GibbousWaxing Gibbous
88% illuminated
Moonrise
10:36
Moonset
22:30
Night Photography
Dark sky22:30 – 00:00
Bright moonlight19:00 – 22:30
Wind
Checking the breeze...
Practical intel
The road from São Luís was recently paved (MA-402), cutting access time from 5+ hours to ~3h45. Good new pousadas are opening fast (Villa Malie, Vila Capininga, Quintal de Areias) — book ahead as rooms are still scarce. The Coopdunas cooperative runs 4x4 and ATV tours in an organized way — prefer them over individual drivers.
Read the full guide for Santo Amaro do Maranhão
Insider tips, restaurants, accommodation, and how to get there