From the dunes of Jeri to the lagoons of Lençóis

Who it is for

For anyone who wants dunes, lagoons and wind, with 4x4 and boat trips, along the coast from Ceará to Maranhão.

Not for anyone travelling from September to December for the lagoons, since in those months many of them drop in Lençóis and some dry up in Jericoacoara.

The strategy

Fortaleza comes first. For Jericoacoara, the transfer goes by minibus to Jijoca and finishes by 4x4 over the sand, 4h30 to 6 hours in all; private cars cannot enter the village. From Jericoacoara to Barreirinhas, the base for the Lençóis, is the longest leg, a full day’s transfer along the coast, and some travellers break it with a night on the way; book this transfer in advance. In Barreirinhas, the lagoon circuits leave in licensed 4x4s that pick you up at the guesthouse. The trip home leaves from São Luís, about 4 hours by road from Barreirinhas, with domestic flights and, from 27 October 2026, TAP to Lisbon. July and August are the months when the lagoons at both stops are usually full.

What you will see

• Theatro José de Alencar, Fortaleza. Inaugurated on June 17, 1910, it has an eclectic facade and an art nouveau auditorium, held up by a cast-iron structure brought from Glasgow.
• Pedra Furada, Jericoacoara. The rock arch carved by the waves at the base of the Serrote is the symbol of Jericoacoara.
• Lagoa Azul, Lençóis Maranhenses. This is the destination of one of the two half-day circuits that leave from Barreirinhas.

Day by day

Fortaleza

1. 1
   Day 1: The Centro, Dragão do Mar and sunset at the Ponte dos Ingleses

   1. Passeio PúblicoUp to half an hourIf there is time
   2. 1Theatro José de AlencarUp to half an hourEssential
   3. 7Pinacoteca do CearáOne to two hoursWorth a visit
   4. 8Ponte dos InglesesUp to half an hourWorth a visit
2. 2
   Day 2: The Cocó mangrove, Mucuripe, Praia do Futuro and Beira-Mar at night

   1. Parque Estadual do CocóOne to two hoursWorth a visit
   2. Museu da Fotografia FortalezaUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   3. 9Mercado dos PeixesUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   4. 4Praia do FuturoHalf a day or moreEssential
   5. 3Avenida Beira-MarOne to two hoursEssential

Jericoacoara

1. 3
   Day 3: The village, Pedra Furada and the Serrote

   1. 1Pedra FuradaOne to two hoursEssential
   2. S4Serrote and Jericoacoara LighthouseOne to two hoursWorth a visit
2. 4
   Day 4: East tour: Preá and Lagoa do Paraíso

   1. 8Árvore da PreguiçaUp to half an hourIf there is time
   2. 5Praia do PreáOne to two hoursWorth a visit
   3. B9Buraco AzulOne to two hoursIf there is time
   4. 2Lagoa do ParaísoHalf a day or moreEssential
3. 5
   Day 5: Tatajuba and the Guriú River (west tour) (day trip)

   1. 6Guriú RiverUp to half an hourWorth a visit
4. 6
   Day 6: Free day · if you have more time

Lençóis Maranhenses

1. 7
   Day 7: Arrival from São Luís and the Lagoa Azul circuit in the afternoon

   1. 1Lagoa AzulOne to two hoursEssential
2. 8
   Day 8: The Preguiças River to Caburé, by boat

   1. V3VassourasUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   2. 4Preguiças LighthouseUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   3. 5CaburéOne to two hoursWorth a visit
3. 9
   Day 9: Free morning and the Lagoa Bonita circuit in late afternoon

   1. 2Lagoa BonitaOne to two hoursEssential
   2. 6AtinsHalf a day or moreWorth a visit
4. 10
   Day 10: Atins and the beach at the mouth of the Preguiças (day trip) · if you have more time

   1. 6AtinsHalf a day or moreWorth a visit