Lagoa Bonita Circuit Barreirinhas: Dune climb and three lagoons

Feel the thrill of a rope-assisted ascent and discover hidden lagoons from Barreirinhas.

The Lagoa Bonita Circuit is a guided tour from Barreirinhas through Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, traveling by 4x4 vehicle across dunes to visit Lagoa do Maçarico, Lagoa do Clone and Lagoa Bonita. The route includes a steep 30-meter dune ascent with rope assistance, crossing the Rio Preguiças by ferry, and takes 3 to 4 hours total. Transportation, a certified guide speaking Portuguese, park entrance and a driver are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lagoa Bonita Circuit tour

• Depart Barreirinhas by 4x4 vehicle
• Cross Rio Preguiças by ferry
• Follow trail to Grandes Lençóis
• Visit Lagoa do Maçarico lagoon
• Visit Lagoa do Clone lagoon
• Climb dunes and visit Lagoa Bonita

The experience

If you have a morning free in Barreirinhas, this circuit packs three separate lagoons and a signature dune climb into the time most tours spend on one stop. The 4x4 leaves town, crosses the Rio Preguiças by ferry, and heads into the Grandes Lençóis: the vast white sand landscape that makes the park recognizable from space. What sets this route apart is the steep ascent: a 30-meter dune where a rope is fixed to help you up, and the payoff is immediate. From the top, the lagoons spread below you in shades of blue and green that shift depending on the light and the minerals in the water.

The three stops themselves are what the circuit is named for. Lagoa do Maçarico comes first, then Lagoa do Clone (the filming location for the Brazilian television novel of the same name), and finally Lagoa Bonita, which lives up to the name. The dunes between them reach 50 meters in some places, which is why the 4x4 does the heavy work of transport. You walk the sections that matter. The guide is accredited by the park and speaks Portuguese, and knows which lagoons are swimmable on the day you visit and where the light hits best for photographs.

The whole loop runs 3 to 4 hours from start to finish, which means you can do this in the morning and have the afternoon free, or fit it between other plans. Park entry, the vehicle, the driver and the guide are all included in the price, so there's nothing to arrange once you're in the 4x4.

What’s included

• Transportation by 4x4 vehicle.
• certified and accredited guide speaking Portuguese.
• entrance to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park.
• ferry crossing of the Rio Preguiças.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 14:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

Live guidePortuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 30 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Maventur

Is this one for you?The dune climb is steep and the walk between lagoons crosses soft sand, so you'll need a moderate level of fitness and comfort with physical exertion. The rope helps on the ascent, but the effort is real. If you're looking for a full-day immersion in the park with multiple stops and time to swim, this circuit fits a morning and leaves your afternoon open.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

What is Lagoa do Clone and why is it on this tour?

Lagoa do Clone is one of three lagoons visited on the circuit and is known as the filming location for the Brazilian television novel O Clone. It's a stop on the route between Lagoa do Maçarico and Lagoa Bonita.

How steep is the dune climb and do I have to do it?

The dune is 30 meters high and a rope is fixed to assist the climb. The ascent is part of the circuit route, and the guide will be with you. It's the signature moment of the tour and the reason the views from the top are worth the effort.

Can I swim in the lagoons?

Yes, the lagoons are swimmable. Your guide will let you know which ones are best on the day you visit and will have time built into the itinerary for you to enter the water.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the meeting point?

Pickup from your hotel in Barreirinhas is included, and the 4x4 vehicle and driver are part of the tour. You'll depart from town and cross the Rio Preguiças by ferry as part of the route.

What time does the tour start and finish?

The tour runs 3 to 4 hours total from departure. The specific start time depends on your booking. Confirm it when you reserve so you know when the 4x4 will pick you up.