The route at a glance
| Leg | How | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Your city → São Luís (SLZ) | Flight | varies |
| São Luís → Barreirinhas | Private transfer, shared van or bus (BR-135 and BR-402, ~260 km) | ≈ 4 h |
| Barreirinhas → Atins | Speedboat down the Preguiças River | ≈ 1 h |
| Barreirinhas → Atins | 4x4 across the sand | ≈ 1 h 30 |
Door to door, allow five to six hours from landing in São Luís. Leave early and you reach Atins for sunset.
1. Fly to São Luís
The nearest commercial airport is São Luís (SLZ), with direct flights from Brazil's main cities (connections via São Paulo, Brasília or Fortaleza from abroad). Travellers on the Rota das Emoções can also use Parnaíba (PHB) in Piauí and come overland from the east.
From 26 October 2026, TAP flies nonstop from Lisbon to São Luís on Mondays and Thursdays (departing 7:05 pm, arriving 12:10 am), adding a third weekly frequency from 28 March 2027. The return, on Tuesdays and Fridays, stops in Fortaleza.
2. São Luís to Barreirinhas
About 260 km of paved road, on the BR-135 and then the BR-402, around four hours. Three ways to do it:
- Private transfer — the most comfortable option and the one we recommend. Arrange it with us when you book: we share trusted drivers' contacts and align timings.
- Shared van — daily departures from the airport and São Luís hotels.
- Bus — cheapest and slowest; arrives at the Barreirinhas bus station.
A rental car works as far as Barreirinhas, where there is parking. From there, only 4x4 or boat.
3. Barreirinhas to Atins
By speedboat, down the Preguiças River
About an hour downriver, past Vassouras, Mandacaru and Caburé. It is the most beautiful way in and the one we usually suggest for arrival: you step off in Atins with the landscape already in your body. Boats run in daylight — plan to leave Barreirinhas by mid-afternoon.
By 4x4, across the sand
About an hour and a half over sand tracks and stretches of beach. The route changes with the tide and the driver picks the way. It is the most flexible option for timings and for anyone travelling with kite gear or larger luggage.
Arriving via the Rota das Emoções
If you are doing Jericoacoara → Parnaíba Delta → Lençóis, you reach Atins from the east: the 4x4 follows the coast to Caburé, on the opposite bank of the river, and the last crossing is by boat, in minutes. It is one of the loveliest ends to a journey in the Brazilian north-east — the village appearing across the water.
Transfers and timing
Our team recommends drivers and boatmen we have worked with for years and helps fit the timings to your flight. One simple rule: arrive in Atins in daylight. If your flight lands in São Luís in the late afternoon, it is worth sleeping in Barreirinhas and continuing in the morning. If you are still deciding where to spend your nights, we compare both bases in Atins or Barreirinhas.
What to pack
- Cash — there is no bank in Atins and card/Pix connectivity is patchy.
- Soft, light luggage: boats and 4x4s prefer backpacks and duffels to hard suitcases.
- Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, light clothes and a thin layer for the evening wind.
- Sandals that can get wet — the right footwear for lagoons and boats.
- Insect repellent and a refillable water bottle for park outings.
Questions from first-time visitors
How long does it take from São Luís to Atins?
Five to six hours door to door: about 4 hours by road to Barreirinhas, then 1 hour by speedboat or 1 h 30 by 4x4 to Atins.
What is the nearest airport for international travellers?
São Luís (SLZ). From 26 October 2026 TAP flies direct from Lisbon; from other countries, connections are usually made through Brazilian state capitals.
Can I get to Atins from Jericoacoara?
Yes, along the Rota das Emoções, on 4x4 transfers following the coast via Parnaíba. It takes a full day; book ahead.