How to get to Atins: what's the easiest way?
Atins is a small, tranquil, and charming village belonging to Barreirinhas and located within the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. There, time seems to slow down, the wind blows without haste, and nature dictates the rhythm of the days. It’s as if the clock simply ceases to exist.
Atins is located in the eastern region of the Lençóis Maranhenses and has Barreirinhas as its gateway.
Therefore, the journey usually begins there. However, there are other possible routes. Let’s take it step by step.
Getting to Barreirinhas
Before discovering how to get to Atins, you need to get to Barreirinhas. And that’s simple:
- From São Luís:
The trip takes approximately 4 hours. You can go by shared transfer, private transfer, bus, or rental car. The route is easy, and the road is good.
- From other destinations on the Route of Emotions:
If you are coming from Parnaíba and Jericoacoara, in addition to private and shared transport, there are agencies that provide intercity transport in 4×4 vehicles. It’s a longer route, but extremely beautiful, especially when crossing beach and mangrove areas.
Transportation between São Luís and Barreirinhas
From São Luís to Barreirinhas it’s 260 km, using BR 135, MA 402 and MA 225. In 2025 the road was good with reasonably good infrastructure.
Option of private and shared transfer.
I used Mirotur – 98 98717 5357 98 98770 9538 – shared transfer R$ 140.00
Rota Combo – I used it for other transfers.
Barreirinhas is also the only tourist location in the Lençóis Maranhenses served by bus (from the São Luís bus station to the center of Barreirinhas, without passing through the airport).
Guanabara bus trip R$ 70.00
There is also the option of flying with AZUL.
How to get to Atins by boat: the most traditional way
For many travelers, this is the most pleasant way to get to Atins. The boat leaves from the port of Barreirinhas and travels along the Preguiças River. The journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes and includes some quick stops, depending on your choice.
Why is this the most enchanting route? Because you navigate one of the most beautiful rivers in Maranhão.
In addition, the landscape changes all the time. Small villages appear on the banks, sandbanks emerge and disappear, and the wind refreshes the journey. It’s a light and charming experience.
You arrive in Atins directly on the sandy beach where the guesthouses, restaurants, and agencies are located. Since the streets are made of soft sand, everything is done on foot or by quad bikes and open-air vehicles, which adds to the adventurous atmosphere.
I took the tour along the Preguiça River, which passes through Vassouras, Mandacaru, and Caburé. Satur: 
+55 98 99232 8780
K-Beça Turismo: +55 98 98827 7715
Navigation on the Preguiças River
The boat leaves the port of Barreirinhas in the morning. The banks of the Preguiças River reveal small houses, endless palm groves, and suddenly, the typical vegetation of the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park.
The navigation is calm, always with that pleasant breeze that makes the trip pass quickly.
At various points, the boatman slows down to show interesting spots, such as areas where the wind shapes the dunes or stretches where the water takes on different hues.
The feeling is of entering the heart of the park, little by little, without haste.
First stop: Vassouras
The most famous stop on the tour is Vassouras, the gateway to the Pequenos Lençóis (Little Lençóis). As soon as you disembark from the boat, you’ll find a landscape that blends white dunes, seasonal lagoons, and a collection of simple shacks where local families have worked for decades.
Vassouras is known for the capuchin monkeys that roam there. After walking through the dunes, seeing the wide-open horizon, and the immensity of the river, it’s time to return to the shack area.
It’s a quick stop, but enough to give you a taste of Lençóis before continuing along the river.
Second stop: Mandacaru and the Preguiças Lighthouse
The boat continues along the Preguiças River until reaching the village of Mandacaru. The main attraction is the Preguiças Lighthouse, which offers one of the best viewpoints in the region.
The ascent is made via a spiral staircase. It takes only a few minutes, but requires stamina.
When you reach the top, you understand why the lighthouse is so popular. The view is expansive: river, mangroves, dunes, the sea in the distance, and the immensity of the protected area. Upon descending, you can stroll through the village, buy handicrafts, and experience a bit of the riverside daily life.
Mandacaru has a simple and welcoming energy.
Third stop: Caburé
Soon after, the boat heads to Caburé, a narrow peninsula between the river and the sea. It’s one of the most beautiful parts of the trip, because it reveals that classic meeting of fresh and salt water.
Caburé is calmer. Many people take the opportunity to have lunch, walk along the beach, or simply enjoy the idyllic atmosphere. As the place is more exposed to the wind, the temperature is always pleasant.
If you decide to take a dip, you can choose the river or the sea. It’s a freedom that makes everything more fun.
Arrival in Atins
After Caburé, the boat enters the final stretch of the Preguiças River. From here, the landscape begins to resemble Atins: scattered houses, low vegetation, approaching dunes, and that typical village silence.
Disembarking in Atins is always special. The feeling is of having arrived in a world where time passes slowly and everything invites simplicity. Depending on the tide, the boat may stop at different points, but local transfers always make the final journey to the guesthouses.
Why choose to arrive in Atins by boat?
Although 4×4 transfers exist, the boat trip has a charm that transforms the journey. The navigation tells the story of the place in a visual way, because you follow the movement of the river, encounter riverside communities, and perceive the connection between the park and local life.
In addition, the route is smoother. While the 4×4 shakes enough…
How to get to Atins by 4×4: an option for those who like road trips
Another way to get to Atins is by 4×4 vehicle. This route, however, only works with authorized vehicles, as it involves stretches of deep sand and areas that change according to the tide.
The journey takes between 1h30 and 2 hours. The departure is made with experienced drivers, since access requires good knowledge of the region. Although it is a more bumpy road, it delivers a pleasant sensation of crossing through the interior of the park.
If you want practicality or intend to travel at different times than the boats, this may be the best alternative. Getting to Atins by Private Speedboat: The Fastest Route
If your time is short and you want to optimize your trip, hiring a private speedboat is another efficient way to get to Atins. The route is the same as the traditional boat, but without stops and with total schedule flexibility. In addition, it allows you to travel in small groups, making the trip more intimate.
What to do in Atins: attractions that make the village captivating for any traveler
Now that you know how to get to Atins, it’s time to explore its attractions.
1. Lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses – Atins sector
The lagoons in this region are enormous, deep, and less crowded. Generally, tours include Lagoa da Capivara, Lagoa Tropical, or Lagoa das Sete Mulheres.
The view is impressive, and the feeling of having that world of dunes almost entirely to yourself is indescribable.
2. Atins Beach
The beach is extensive, open, and perfect for walking. Low tide creates reflective pools of water that make the scenery even more beautiful. It’s a great place to relax without crowds.
3. Canto do Atins
This region is famous for two reasons: the beach and the shrimp restaurants that have gained worldwide fame. It’s worth setting aside a few hours to enjoy this secluded spot and savor the area’s most traditional dish.
4. Kitesurfing
Atins has become one of the best destinations in Brazil for kitesurfing. The constant wind and the vastness of the beach create perfect conditions. Even if you don’t practice, seeing the dozens of kites coloring the sky is a spectacle in itself.
5. Strolling through the village
Atins has charm. Walking without haste, sitting down for coffee, chatting with locals, and enjoying the relaxed pace are all part of the experience.
Is Atins worth visiting?
Without a doubt. The journey to understand how to get to Atins already shows that this is not an ordinary destination. It demands a curious gaze, an open mind, and a willingness to experience something beyond the obvious. When you arrive, everything comes together: the sandy streets, the wind, the silence, and the sea.
If you’re looking for a place to disconnect and enjoy lighthearted days, Atins delivers exactly that.
And, as you explore, you feel you’re in one of the most authentic parts of the Lençóis Maranhenses.
