When going to the Lençóis Maranhenses, many people ask themselves: “What is there to do there apart from see the lagoons and the sand? Doesn’t it make you sick?” And we can answer that with our mouths full: no, it doesn’t and there are plenty of other things to do.
But in addition to the park, the region offers several other incredible excursions that will make you fall even more in love with Maranhão and its people.
So get out your notepad and get ready to write down all these tips. 
1. Get to know as many lagoons as you can, they are very different from each other and their beauty never gets boring!
- many people indicate a circuit of specific lagoons to visit, but they change from year to year as they are shaped by the winds.
Talk to the guides to find out which lagoons are said to be the most beautiful that season. - In Atins, the famous circuits are Lagoa das 7 mulheres and Lagoa da Capivara
- In Santo Amaro, they point out the Bethânea and Esmeraldas Lagoons
2. Take a quad bike tour to the village of Baixa Grande
This tour allows you to get to know a village that lives in the heart of the park and has endless lagoons all to yourself!
Leaving in the morning, we skirted the sea of Atins before heading deeper into the park.
Lunch was in the village of a local family, with freshly picked coconuts and homemade food.
We were surprised by the number of animals they raised and the fact that they had solar energy right in the middle of the park.
It makes a lot of sense, but we had never imagined it.
To do the tour, you need to hire a local guide, not just rent the quad bike, as you go deep into the park and it’s practically impossible to find your way around on your own.
We highly recommend it! 
3. Tour with a local boatman on the Preguiças River
Stopping at Caburé and Pequenos Lençóis.
We recommend asking the boatman to stop along the river at the places he likes best.
Usually you’ll have the opportunity to visit the house and have lunch with some of the locals.
4. Watching the sunset at Canto do Atins
The evening at Canto do Atins beach is a painting in itself, with a vibrant mix of colors between the sunset and the kitesurfing kites.
Take the opportunity to sit in one of the stalls and order a cold beer. For a lively evening and good drinks, we recommend the Lar doce Mar and Bar.Co tents.
Arrive early if you want to secure a table. 
5. Take kitesurfing lessons
Atins has become one of the great sailing spots in Brazil and many schools have set up there.
Because of all the equipment needed, the sport requires a relatively high investment for lessons, around R$250 for a 2-hour lesson.
On the other hand, it’s a relatively easy sport to learn the basics of and enjoy.
Atins beach is an excellent place for beginners, as it is a combination of sea and river, the waters are very calm and shallow, making it safer for the practitioner.
Golden tip: ask at the hostel and in the beach huts about local kite instructors, the lessons are usually much cheaper than at the schools.
6. Fly the Narional Park of Lençóis
If walking through the dunes is already incredible, imagine being able to see 156,000 hectares of lagoons and dunes from above. Photography lovers will go crazy! The flight leaves from Barreirinhas and lasts at least 30 minutes, costing an average of R$400 per person. We recommend the company Voar Fotografia Aerea. 
7. Watch the sunset over the dunes
Take a half-day tour in the afternoon to see the sunset inside the Lençóis Park.
We guarantee it will be a spectacular and unforgettable experience in your life.
8. Watching plankton glowing in the water at Atins
A completely free (and possibly romantic) “walk” for those staying in Atins.
At night, the plactons glow on the shore of the beach and it’s the most beautiful thing in the world.
It looks like the starry sky has descended into the sea.
9. Try a night tour of the lagoons
This tour is possible if you are in Santo Amaro or Atins, which are the villages at the entrance to the park.
You need to hire a private guide, but the experience of swimming in the warm lagoons under the moonlight and in pure silence is completely unique!
The guides usually bring beach chairs and sparkling wine to make the moment even more magical.
Can you imagine the number of stars in this sky?
10. Luiza’s or Antônio’s shrimp for lunch
The restaurants are neighbors and are located within the Lençóis park.
Tours leaving Atins usually stop there for lunch.
Don’t think it’s just any shrimp.
Luiza and Antonio developed their own recipe and we’ve never had anything like it before.
They say that before they were competitors, they were married.
Now we don’t know who stole the recipe from whom. 
Do you feel like going to this paradise?
I’m suspicious, because it’s one of my favorite places in the world!
What else would you add to this list?
