Preguiças River Tour: Villages, Lighthouse & Beach

Speedboat through river villages, a lighthouse climb, and a sand peninsula where two waters meet

A full-morning tour from Barreirinhas that combines 4x4 transport and speedboat travel along the Preguiças River, stopping at the villages of Vassouras and Mandacaru, climbing the 160-step Mandacaru Lighthouse for panoramic views, and finishing at Caburé Beach on a sand peninsula between the river mouth and the sea. The guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese. Pickup from your hotel or meeting point is included. Lunch at Caburé is on your own.

Step-by-step itinerary

Preguiças River and Caburé Beach Tour

• Depart to boarding point at 8:20 AM
• Board speedboat and navigate river
• Visit Vassouras village and see capuchin monkeys
• Travel to Mandacaru village
• Climb Mandacaru Lighthouse for panoramic view
• Explore craft shops and try regional treats
• Arrive at Caburé Beach
• Have lunch at beach restaurant
• Return journey starts around 2:30 PM
• Arrive back by 3:30 PM

The experience

The day starts with a 4x4 pickup at 8:20 AM from your hotel or a central meeting spot, then heads to the boarding point for the speedboat. From there, the boat runs about 40 minutes upriver to Vassouras, a village known for deep lagoons during the rainy season and for the capuchin monkeys that move through the trees along the banks. The river itself is the draw: calm water, native vegetation on both sides, small creeks and mangrove patches breaking up the landscape as you travel.

Next stop is Mandacaru, where the Preguiças Lighthouse stands 35 meters tall on the riverbank. Climbing the spiral staircase takes you up 160 steps to a view of where the river meets the sea and the dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses spread across the horizon. The village also has craft shops, and vendors sell caipirinhas and ice creams with regional flavors: a chance to rest and browse before the final leg. The tour wraps up at Caburé Beach, a narrow sand peninsula with the river on one side and the Atlantic on the other. You'll have time to swim or walk the beach, then eat lunch at one of the local restaurants there. The return boat leaves around 2:30 PM, and you're back by 3:30 PM.

A live guide in your chosen language travels with the group throughout. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes you don't mind getting wet, bring sunscreen and insect repellent, and carry cash or a card for lunch and any extras. Alcoholic drinks are not permitted in the park or on the vehicles. The tour runs about six and a half hours total and suits all fitness levels, though the lighthouse climb is optional if stairs aren't comfortable for you.

What’s included

• Transport in a Toyota 4x4 from your hotel or meeting point.
• speedboat travel on the Preguiças River.
• a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese throughout the tour.
• access to Vassouras village and the Mandacaru Lighthouse.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:20

Book up to4h before

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 8 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sunrise Adventure Ribeirão Preto

Is this one for you?The 4x4 pickup from your hotel or a central spot means you don't need a car or prior knowledge of where to meet the boat. The guide handles the route to the boarding point, and you travel with a small shared group. This works well if you're staying in Barreirinhas without transport or prefer not to drive to the river yourself.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

What's the Preguiças River like, and what wildlife will I see?

The Preguiças River flows through Barreirinhas with calm, clear water bordered by native vegetation, mangroves and small creeks. Capuchin monkeys are common along the banks, and you'll pass through a landscape that shifts between river, dunes and forest as the boat travels upriver to the villages.

How high is the Mandacaru Lighthouse, and is climbing it required?

The Mandacaru Lighthouse is 35 meters tall with a 160-step spiral staircase to the top. Climbing is not required, it's optional, but the view from the top shows where the river meets the sea and the dune landscape of Lençóis Maranhenses stretching inland.

What is Caburé Beach, and what can I do there?

Caburé Beach is a sand peninsula bordered by the Preguiças River on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, located in Barreirinhas. You can swim in calm waters, walk the white sand, visit the local fishing village, and eat lunch at one of the beachfront restaurants.

Is lunch included, and what are my options at Caburé?

Lunch is not included in the tour price, but several simple, welcoming restaurants operate at Caburé Beach where you can order and pay separately. Bring cash or a card to cover your meal and any drinks or extras.

What should I bring, and are there any restrictions?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear or a change of clothes, a towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, and cash or a card. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the park and on the vehicles. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during transport.