The Little Lençóis
Dunes on the riverbank.
Own work — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Esquilo — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Claudinez Lacerda — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Otávio Nogueira from Fortaleza, BR — CC BY 2.0 · LBM1948 — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Preguiças River runs about 135 kilometres to reach the Atlantic at the edge of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, and its name, sloths, is said to come from the many that lived in the forests along its banks. The speedboat trip from Barreirinhas to its mouth is one of the region's best-known outings, a full day between mangroves and palm trees. The first stop is Vassouras, where small dunes known as the Little Lençóis rise straight from the riverbank, home to monkeys that come close to visitors. Next is the village of Mandacaru with its lighthouse, 35 metres high, whose 160 steps lead to a view all round over river, dunes and sea. Last comes Caburé, a narrow strip of sand between river and ocean, where boats stop for lunch and a swim. Trips leave between 8 and 9 in the morning and last seven to eight hours; meals are not included. Bring sunscreen and water, and do not feed the monkeys.
Dunes on the riverbank.
A view all round.
Between river and ocean.
From Barreirinhas down the Preguiças River to its mouth
The speedboat from Barreirinhas with stops at Vassouras, the Mandacaru lighthouse and Caburé, over seven to eight hours, without meals.