Lençóis gets a 2026 trip blending comfort and local culture

Lençóis Maranhenses will see a new Vivalá sustainable expedition in 2026, pairing crystal lagoons, Bar da Hora immersion and cozy lodging.

Called the Lençóis Maranhenses Expedition, the itinerary is Vivalá – Sustainable Tourism in Brazil’s new way to explore one of the country’s most iconic landscapes. It’s designed for travelers who want dunes, rivers and lagoons without the more demanding, adventure-first profile of the company’s long-running on-foot trekking program in the region (active since 2022).

Low effort, high immersion

The trip was built around light physical effort and a responsible relationship with local communities. With comfortable lodging and a structured flow of activities, it aims to welcome a broader audience, including families, first-timers and anyone who prioritizes comfort while still seeking cultural depth.

“Many travelers asked for a more relaxed itinerary, with less physical effort, more comfort and cultural immersion in local communities,” says Daniel Cabrera, Vivalá’s co-founder and CEO. According to him, the 2026 experience will deliver “authentic immersion, refined stays and plenty of nature.”

Momentum after UNESCO recognition

In 2024, UNESCO granted Lençóis Maranhenses National Park the title of Natural World Heritage, highlighting both its uniqueness and the need for conservation. The destination has long been celebrated by travel media, in part because its lagoons appear during the rainy season and vanish in the dry months, reshaping the scenery year-round.

That seasonal rhythm also shapes how tourism works in the park. Vivalá’s new format focuses on planning over rushing, combining land and river transfers with time for community-based experiences.

Bar da Hora and Atins take center stage

A key highlight is immersion in Bar da Hora, a small community located inside the national park. The itinerary includes a boat ride along the Preguiça River, with views of dunes and riverside villages, plus visits to productive home gardens, a basket-weaving workshop with local artisans and regional meals prepared by community cooks.

Travelers also visit circuits such as Ponta do Mangue and Canto de Atins, with swims in crystal-clear lagoons and sunset viewing. In Atins—often described as the park’s most charming village—the program intentionally leaves room for rest and for experiencing the local pace of life.

Community-based tourism and local income

Maíra Matsui, owner of Casa Ingapura—a sustainable, community-based stay in Bar da Hora—says the impact reaches beyond guides and tours. “Besides benefiting those working directly in tourism, the flow also boosts other community services like small markets, local shops and artisan production,” she explains.

She calls the partnership a rare combination in Lençóis: traditional riverside culture, a privileged location and a solid model of community-based tourism (CBT). She points to everyday fishing routines, meals prepared by fishers and shellfish gatherers, small-scale lodging and close contact with nature as the building blocks of a deeply human experience.

Longer stays also help visitors understand behind-the-scenes processes such as the community tourism fund, which finances local projects and spreads income among families. The collective work has earned awards including the Braztoa Sustainability Award (2024), the Cazumbá State Tourism Award and a silver trophy at Brazil’s National Tourism Award.

“Go beyond the scenery,” says traveler

Traveler Mariana Oliveira says the experience goes far beyond the famous photo ops. “I wanted to meet the people who live among the dunes and understand how their way of life is shaped by Lençóis—without giving up comfort,” she says.

She highlights local sustainability efforts such as community gardens, mangrove cleanups and composting. “I came back with deep respect and admiration for the people and the territory,” she adds, recommending that visitors take their time, listen to local stories and travel with sensitivity.

Service

Lençóis Maranhenses Expedition (Vivalá – Sustainable Tourism in Brazil)

Length: 4 or 5 days

Meeting point: São Luís, Maranhão (Brazil)

Group departures: starting April 2026

Includes: land and river transportation; 1 hotel night in São Luís; 2 nights in a community-run lodge in Bar da Hora (single/double/triple rooms, subject to availability); 3 breakfasts; 1 lunch; 1 dinner; personal and liability insurance for all days; a Vivalá representative throughout the trip

Not included: airfare

Nearest airport: São Luís International Airport (MA)

Price: from R$ 3,135.00 paid via bank slip or PIX (5% off) or R$ 3,300.00; installment plans up to 8 payments interest-free or up to 12 with interest (credit card)

More info (URL): https://vivalaturismosustentavel.my.canva.site/lencois-tbc-grupo

Photo: Divulgação