Destinations
If you have always dreamed of exploring the North East coast of Brazil, taking in some beautiful beaches, stunning colonial architecture, not to mention the Lençois Maranhenses National Park known for its vast desert landscape of tall, white sand dunes and seasonal rainwater lagoons – then this is the drive for you. It is all taken at a relaxed pace, starting with a few days in Rio de Janeiro and then a short flight up to Sao Luis for the start of your self drive adventure and over the course of the next eleven days slowly making your way south to Fortaleza before flying home.
You will be met and privately transferred to the Santa Teresa Rio de Janeiro. Here you enjoy a city tour, including Corcovado & Sugar Loaf with lunch. The first part of the tour takes in various places of interest in downtown Rio de Janeiro. The tour then proceeds through the old neighbourhood of Urca towards the base of Sugarloaf, where you take a cable-car for the exhilarating, steep, 215m climb up Morro da Urca. Or, explore on your own - just let us know if we can organise anything for you.
Day 4 & 5
Today you will fly to Sao Luis where you will be met on arrival and transferred to your accommodation, Portas da Amazonia Sao Luis for the next 2 nights. Sao Luis, the capital of Maranhão State shares with Rio de Janeiro its French origins, a brief occupation by the Dutch making it the only city in Brazil to have been occupied by three nations. The colonial architecture of São Luís is considered to be among the finest in Brazil and includes the country's only Byzantine church, whilst Maranhão's unique folklore includes Bumba-meu-boi, a blend of Portuguese, African and indigenous influences. Although much of the coast is accessible only by sea, there are fine beaches within easy reach by road.
Pick up your rental vehicle and make your way to Santo Amaro do Maranhao. Enjoy an afternoon guided tour of Lagoa das Andorinhas. For the next 2 nights you will be staying at Pousada Rancho das Dunas. Set across from the Rio Grande, this relaxed inn is 1 km from the border of the Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses and 2 km from the city of Santo Amaro.
Today make your way to the town of Barreirinhas, your base for the next 2 nights is Porto Preguicas Resort. The Lençois Maranhenses National Park is a coastal desert of towering dunes, where high rainfall has created more than 200 square km of lençois (bedsheets) speckled with crystal clear freshwater lagoons. Access to this spectacular ecosystem and its unique fauna can be obtained through the town of Barreirinhas. Enjoy star-gazing at the Blue Lagoon.
Early in the morning, depart for a private boat trip down the Preguiças river that skirts the desert until it meets the sea, visiting the fishermen's settlements of Vassouras, Mandacaru and Caburé. Drop off in Atins. For the next 2 nights you will be staying at La Ferme de Georges. Surrounded by the most spectacular natural scenery in Brazil's Lençóis Maranhenses Park, La Ferme de Georges is ideally placed to enjoy dune adventures on foot, horseback or 4x4, as well as kitesurfing in this mind-blowing series of freshwater lagoons.
Whilst Atins is just outside the Lençois Maranhenses National Park a small group of families settled just 3km inside the park along the sea. This settlement forms Canto do Atins. The trip from Atins to Canto makes for a formidable excursion along the fringes of the dunes of the park. Make sure to stop and try the delicious prawns at either of Luzia or Antonio's restaurants. Enjoy a half day guided tour of Canto do Atins in a 4x4.
Transfer from Atins back to Barrerinhas to continue your drive to Parnaiba. This hotel is in a beautifully restored town house in the city of Parnaiba, gateway to the Parnaiba River Delta. While here you can take boat trips into the delta, explore the waterways, dunes and lakes, admire the scenery and observe wildlife. A particular highlight is to go Delta and Scarlet Ibis spotting with a guide.
Continue on to Jericoacoara, the kite and windsurfing mecca of Brazil, where you will be based for the next 3 nights. Jericoacoara is a remote, peaceful beach that has gained popularity over the years due to its magnificent palm-fringed shore and impressive sand dunes. Another of the region's natural attractions is the "Pedra Furada", a large perforated rock outcrop that marches into the ocean. From the top of the towering dunes that overlook the windswept beaches, spectacular sunsets can be enjoyed. Although Jericoacoara has the usual tourist facilities (bars, restaurants etc.), remoteness has ensured that its splendour remains untarnished. Nestled in between Jericoacoara Beach and its Sunset Dune, Vila Kalango offers accommodation in peaceful beach huts shaded by coconut and cashew trees. They include private balconies with hammock space. This is charming accommodation.
Continue to Flecheiras for your last night on the north east coast. Zorah Beach Hotel is a peaceful retreat with luxurious, Asian-inspired decor and a secluded spot on Guajiru beach.
Make your to Fortaleza where you will drop off your vehicle and depart Brazil.
Having a good, quality vehicle is key to every self-drive journey. We work carefully with our local team to source you the best vehicle available for your self-drive journey.
All our itineraries are tailor made, but here are some of our favourite routes and camp combinations.
Simply, because we care. Whether you have travelled in Africa with Safari Drive or whether this is your first journey with us, we will be working hard behind the scenes to support your trip and ensure sure you have a fantastic self drive adventure.
Your entire holiday is designed around your requirements. We will create the perfect trip, at your own pace, to your budget.
All our team in Latin America live in-country and have travelled extensively. Their knowledge and input is key to a successful self-drive safari.
We don’t mark up for our services, we only take commissions from the suppliers we use. Tailor-made does not have to mean expensive.
All our holidays are 100% financially protected.
