'''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.