'''Barreirinhas''' is a city in Maranhao. Mainly serving as a base for visitors to Lencois Maranhenses, its riverside setting and sandy patches gives it a charm of its own.

Get in

  • Taxis to Sao Luis leave as soon as they are full, 3-4 hours, R$ 140 (4 people). Many in the morning, few locals will ride along after dark. Note that a taxi can take considerably longer than a bus depending on where your fellow passengers want to be dropped off.
  • Five buses a day to Sao Luis, last one at 6:30 PM, 4 hours, 25 R$.
  • Vans do the same route as the buses to Sao Luis
  • Several daily pick-up trucks to Paulino Neves, with onward connections to Tutoia and Parnaiba, R$ 13, 2,5 hours.
  • Daily boat to Atins via Mandacaru (also stops in Cabure upon request) around 9 AM. 4 hours, 5 R$. Returns well after dark, depending on tide.
  • Arrange transport to the dunes, and then walk some 27 km across to Atins. This can be done in a day, or with camping half way.
  • Agencies can arrange for a combination of water and overland transport, typically to Parnaiba or Jericoacoara.
  • ''Litoranea''[http://www.voelitoranea.com.br] has a weekly turboprop to Sao Luis and another to Fortaleza via Parnaiba and Camocim. Air taxis can be arranged through agencies.
  • Get around

    Mostly walkable. Otherwise a mototaxi will take you anywhere for R$ 3.

    See

    Do

    Buy

    Eat

  • Terracos do Preguica. eira Rio. ishes for two at around R$ 40. Varied menu, mostly seafood.
  • Ressaca. t main square. Good selection of burgers, and some fingerbits.

    Drink

    There is something most every day, but locations shift. Ask around.
  • Chill on one of the stalls along the riverfront boardwalk.
  • Sleep

    Beds in the center are fairly expensive, with one outstanding exception:
  • Pousada Gomes. round the corner from the Mototaxis. ingle R$ 10. Very basic, shared bathrooms.
  • Pousada do Porto. iverfront some 300 metres upriver from the boardwalk.. 55 98 3349 1910. ouble with fan R$ 40. Also air con..
  • Pousada Belo Horisonte. venida Joaquim Soeiro de Carvalho. ext to bus station. ingle R$ 50. Overpriced.
  • Posada Lins. venida Joaquim Soeiro de Carvalho. y the mototaxi stand. ingle R$ 60. Bright and clean, spacious bathrroms, courtyard with small pool and hammocks.
  • '''Pousada Lagoa Bonito''' is at the top of the sanddune where there is a great view of the marina ..... double with fan and good breakfast for R$40.
  • Contact

    Slow internet at R$ 2-3 an hour.

    Get out

  • Many agencies offer trips to the dunes, mostly leaving at 9 AM or 2 PM, returning 5 hours later, R$ 50 per person. A bumpy ride of an hour or so takes you to either '''Lagoa Bonita''' (reportedly better views) or '''Lagoa Azul''', where a guide will walk you around. In theory it is possible to do both sites in one day, but this requires a special arrangement with some agency, as the trip proves too exhausting for most mortals. The afternoon might be preferred due to weaker sun, more shadows playing and a chance to see the sunset.
  • Another daytrip on offer is with a boat down the river ''Preguica'', to Atins, Mandacaru and/or Cabure. Unless you are in a hurry, it is recommended to stay overnight, or use one of these places as a stopover en route to Paulino Neves or Parnaiba.