Discover Rota das Emocoes 7 Days of Beaches, Nature, and Adventure Brazil | Sao Luis, Lencois Maranhenses, Jericoacoara, Fortaleza
Experience the breathtaking Road of Emotions (Rota das Emocoes). From Sao Luis you will drive through the dunes of Lencois Maranhenses National Park, cross the Delta das Americas by boat, and follow the coast line in a 4x4 Jeep or Pick-up until you reach the vital beach village of Jericoacoara. Be prepared for freshwater pools in the dunes, wonderful sunsets over the dunes and the ocean, and emotional moments in a mesmerizing landscape.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Sao Luis and City Tour
Included: Transfer (private) | City Tour (private, 3h)
You will be welcomed at the airport from your English-speaking guide and taken to your hotel. Then you will have a little time to freshen up after the journey before you start an approximately 3-hour long city tour. You will walk to explore the car-free historic center of Sao Luis which offers a trip back in time with its 3,000 buildings from the colonial period. The tour will take you through small winding streets to hidden squares and parks. After this experience your guide will drive you back to your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Luzeiros, Deluxe room with ocean view
Day 2: Boat Tour on the Rio Preguicas to Atins
Included: Transfer to Barreirinhas (4h, in group with private guide) | Boat transfer with excursions to Atins (4h, private with guide) | Breakfast
In the morning, you’ and your English-speaking guide will take a group transfer from Sao Luís to Barreirinhas. After about 4 hours of driving, you will reach the entrance of Lençóis Maranhenses. Today’s destination is the small fishing village of Atins, located at the mouth of the Rio Preguiças and surrounded by beautiful dunes. Along with your guide, you make your way northward on a private motorboat tour along the River Preguiças. You’ll enjoy several interesting stops along the way. At the small settlement of Vassouras, you can walk between the dunes. You’ll probably observe monkeys and parrots because they’re generally pretty curious to see who is passing through. In Mandacaru, you can try delicious homemade ice cream churned from all sorts of different fruit. The historic lighthouse, surrounded by cashew trees, offers a nice place to take a few photos. The last stop takes you to Caburé, a small village located between the river and the ocean. Upon arriving in Atins, you will check-in to your accommodations before exploring the town’s sandy footpaths with your guide.
Overnight: Pousada Jurara Village, Standard Room
Day 3: Into the dunes
Included: 4x4 excursion into the dunes (4h, private with guide) | Breakfast
Today you’re going on an adventure through Lençóis Maranhenses! Starting your day in Atins allows you to bypass the crowds in Barreirinhas and see the dunes before they’re full of tourists. The trip there is an adventure in itself. You’ll hop into a private off- road vehicle and wind through the hilly, sandy paths that crisscross the landscape. Once you reach your destination, you will get the chance to discover the dunes on foot. You will enjoy spectacular views as you walk through the unique landscape. Be sure to take a lot of photos!. Jump into one of the refreshing freshwater pools while you marvel at the breathtaking landscape. After you’ve had some time to relax, you will head back to Atins. If you’d like, you can stop along the way for lunch. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy, and your guide will let you know about the optional excursions available.
Overnight: Pousada Jurara Village, Standard Room
Day 4: Boat Tour through Delta das Americas to Parnaiba
Included: Transfer and Boat Excursion to Parnaiba (private) | Breakfast
You will set out in the morning to cross the Rio Preguicas to Cabure where a private 4x4 vehicle will be waiting. Along the beach you will head to Tutoia, a ride of about 1.5 hours. You will then start to cross the Delta das Americas on a private speed boat. This part is not just for transporting you; it is also for you to get to know the delta and some of its hidden treasures. For lunch (not included) you will stop in a small fishing village where you can enjoy a simple but tasty meal while overlooking the river. Afterwards, another highlight is waiting for you. Right before sunset you will anchor your boat in front of a small island where you will witness the return of hundreds of scarlet ibises. (During the rain season, the birds don't maintain this ritual.) After this amazing spectacle you will continue on to Porto de Tatus, and from there travel to your pousada in Parnaiba which will take about 20 minutes. After checking in your English-speaking guide will leave you with all of the information about the next day's transfer to Jericoacoara.
Overnight: Pousada Vila Parnaiba, Semi-deluxe room
Day 5: Ride on the Beach to Jericoacoara
Included: Transfer (private, 1.5h), 4x4 Transfer (private) | Breakfast
After breakfast, you will start the last leg of your tour from São Luís to Jericoacoara. You will be picked up by a Portuguese- speaking driver at your hotel to start the 1.5 hour trip by paved road to Camocim. There, you will take a ferry across the Rio Coreaú, at the point just before it meets the Atlantic Ocean. This short stretch or water offers exciting photo opportunities, especially when it’s sunny. Then, in a 4x4 vehicle, you will drive along the coast to Jericoacoara. This stretch can take anywhere from 2 to 5 hours, depending on how many stops you want to make along the way to explore the many dunes and lagoons. After you reach your accommodations in Jericoacoara, you’ll be free to explore the lively town center on foot. Hiking up the dune next to town to see the sunset is very popular. Evening after evening, many visitors gather to bid farewell to the day.
Overnight: Hotel My Blue, Deluxe room
Day 6: Leisure Time in Jericoacoara
Included: Breakfast
Jericoacoara, or “Jeri”, is home to many shops, bars, and leisure opportunities. The sunny beach weather usually spoils its visitors and inhabitants year round. Wind conditions here are exceptionally good for watersports. Whether on the beach or in a hammock, you will enjoy the sun and ocean breeze best with a caipirinha. You may also opt for some optional day trips (not included) or even prolong your relaxing stay in Jericoacoara.
Overnight: Hotel My Blue, Deluxe room
Day 7: Tchau Jeri
Included: Airport Transfer (private, 6h) | Breakfast
Depending on your flight time, your Portuguese-speaking driver will pick you up and take you to the Fortaleza airport, which is about a six-hour drive.
Included
- All transfers detailed above
- 4 day trips (with a private English-speaking guide)
- 1 day trip (with a private Portuguese-speaking guide)
- 1 night at Hotel Luzeiros, Deluxe room with ocean view
- 2 night at Pousada Jurara, Standard vila jurara room
- 1 night at Pousada Vila Parnaiba, Semi-deluxe room
- 2 nights at Hotel My Blue, Deluxe room
- 6 breakfasts
Not included are airfare, insurance, beverages, meals not indicated in the itinerary, tips, and personal expenses.
Info
- The program can also be conducted without a guide. In this case, please note that local guides speak very little English and that group excursions may be more crowded and have longer wait times depending on the season.
- All tours can be customized, shortened, or extended depending on your interests.
- 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 6 per person for 7 days upon arrival in Jericoacoara. The tourism fee is not included in the price. After paying, keep the receipt as it must be handed in upon leaving Jericoacoara.
Photos by Phylipi Leal and Michael Krämer
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