A journey of emotions by rental car

• Drive well off the beaten track in a rental car through enchanting landscapes
• Climb the sand dunes in the surreal landscape of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
• Relax in your hammock in the beach resorts of Atins and Jericoacoara
• Marvel at huge flocks of red ibises in the afternoon sun
• Cool off under one of the waterfalls in the Ubajara rainforest

Day 1 | Amsterdam – São Paulo

Today you’ll take your intercontinental flight to the Brazilian city of São Paulo. On arrival at the airport, you’ll be welcomed by one of our local, English-speaking staff members and taken to your hotel.
Accommodation: Blue Tree Premium Paulista | bed and breakfast

Day 2 | São Paulo

This morning, you’ll set off with an English-speaking private guide to explore the centre of São Paulo. It’s a vibrant city offering a wealth of art, culture, entertainment, excellent restaurants and nightlife. Your guide will take you to several attractions, such as the MASP art museum, Ibirapuera Park and a number of buildings, including the Government Palace. After the trip, you’ll be taken back to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you wish. It’s well worth visiting the city market, the Mercado Municipal. This is the largest city market in the centre of São Paulo and is housed in a striking neoclassical building with stained-glass windows. It’s fascinating to see the wide variety of fruit, vegetables and herbs on sale here. On the top floor of this market, you’ll find several restaurants. Why not try a codfish pie or a mortadella sandwich? Read more tips about São Paulo here.
Accommodation: Blue Tree Premium Paulista | bed and breakfast

Day 3 | São Paulo – São Luís

In the morning, you will be taken to São Paulo airport. Here, you will board your domestic flight to São Luís. In São Luís, a local representative will be waiting to take you to your hotel. São Luís is a major export port for minerals from the Amazon region. The city was used by the Portuguese as a trading centre, and this is still evident today in the numerous classical buildings that dot the city. Despite its economic growth, the city has lost none of its historic character. In the city centre, you can take a stroll through the Praia Grande district, where the Portuguese influence is clearly evident in the narrow streets. In this part of the city, you will also find the Museu das Artes Visuais, which houses, amongst other things, visual art from the state of Maranhão and from Europe.
Accommodation: Blue Tree Towers São Luís | bed and breakfast

Day 4 | São Luís – Santo Amaro

(approx. 230 km | 4-hour drive)

After breakfast, you will be picked up and taken to São Luís Airport, where a rental car will be waiting for you. You will use this car for the rest of your trip. At your own pace, you will explore the unique ‘Route of Emotions’, which passes through four national parks, amongst other places. Today, you’ll drive to Santo Amaro, a relatively little-known town from where you can visit the Lençois Maranhenses National Park. Lençois Maranhenses is a vast desert situated approximately 70 km from the coast, covering a total area of 155,000 hectares. The park consists of dunes, mangroves, marshes and lagoons. It is a rare geological formation with a unique ecosystem. The dunes, which can reach heights of up to 40 metres, create a stunning landscape alongside the numerous, colourful lagoons that form during the rainy season (from December to May). A 4x4 vehicle is compulsory within the national park. If you wish to visit the park, you may do so accompanied by a guide. Visiting this natural wonder is a wonderful adventure.
In the afternoon, a guide will take you to visit Lagoa das Andorinhas, a beautiful lagoon near Jericoacoara, surrounded by dunes and nature. Bring your swimwear for a lovely dip in the crystal-clear water or relax by the water’s edge whilst enjoying the peace and the views.
Overnight stay: Quintal de Areias | bed and breakfast

Day 5 | Santo Amaro – Atins

(approx. 90 km | 2-hour drive)

After breakfast, you’ll travel from Santo Amaro to the village of Barreirinhas, from where you’ll continue on to Atins. Situated between the mouth of the Preguiças River and the ever-changing dune landscapes, Atins is virtually cut off from the outside world. You’ll leave your rental car behind and be taken on a boat trip along the Preguiças River. It’s a picturesque journey along the Preguiças River towards the coast. Along the way, there are several stops at fishing villages, including Vassouras, Mandacaru and Caburé. From the riverbank, you’ll be taken to your accommodation by 4x4 along deep sandy tracks. Apart from a few pousadas, excellent Italian restaurants and quirky bars, Atins is a remote and peaceful settlement, far away from the crowds.
Overnight stay: Vila Aty Lodge | bed and breakfast

Day 6 | Atins

Today, you’ll be picked up from your hotel in a four-wheel-drive vehicle and taken to Canto do Atins. Once there, you’ll take a ten-minute walk to the best lagoons of the season, where you can swim and, of course, take some lovely photos. On the way back, you’ll drive along the beach at Canto do Atins towards a local restaurant where you can have a meal. We recommend ordering grilled fish or prawns here – the region’s finest dishes. Dinner is at your own expense, and after your meal you’ll be taken back to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Vila Aty Lodge | bed and breakfast

Day 7 | Atins – Parnaíba

(approx. 190 km | 4 hours’ drive)

Today you’ll travel from Atins to Parnaíba. In the morning, you’ll take the boat back to Barreirinhas and collect your rental car. It’s a 4-hour drive to Parnaíba. In the afternoon, you’ll be taken on a spectacular delta excursion. The Parnaíba Delta forms an archipelago of more than 75 islands, dunes, lagoons and towering mangrove forests. In the afternoon, you’ll embark on an unforgettable journey through this delta to witness a true spectacle of nature: flocks of scarlet ibises gathering at the end of the day to roam one of the islands.
Overnight: Vila Parnaíba | bed and breakfast

Day 8 | Parnaíba – Sete Cidades National Park – Ubajara

(approx. 280 km | 5-hour drive)

Today you’ll set off early for a beautiful drive of around 150 kilometres inland to the fascinating Sete Cidades National Park. The route takes you through the varied landscape of the state of Piauí in around two and a half to three hours. Sete Cidades is named after seven clusters of remarkable rock formations, carved out by millions of years of wind and rain. The shapes resemble animals, faces and mythical figures — a veritable open-air museum of nature. You’ll walk through a savannah landscape that contrasts sharply with the coastal region you’re leaving behind. As well as geological wonders, the park boasts a rich biodiversity. You may spot colourful macaws and toucans, as well as seriema and playful coatis. What’s more, you’ll find prehistoric rock carvings here dating back more than 6,000 years, which offer an insight into the lives of the earliest inhabitants. On arrival, please report to the visitor centre. Guided tours are available, although the guides usually speak only Portuguese. At the end of the afternoon, you’ll travel on to Ubajara in the state of Ceará, some 120 kilometres away. To arrive before sunset, it is advisable to leave the park around 4.00 pm. The journey takes about two hours and once again takes you through a beautiful and varied landscape. You will stay in a simple hotel in Ubajara (the best option in the area).
Overnight stay: Pousada Gruta | bed and breakfast

Day 9 | Ubajara National Park

On the edge of the Ibiapaba Plateau lies Brazil’s smallest national park: Ubajara. Despite its modest size, this park offers an impressive variety of landscapes, from dense Atlantic rainforest to limestone cliffs and spectacular viewpoints over the valleys of Ceará. The park is just 3 kilometres from the centre of Ubajara and is easily accessible. You check in at the visitor centre, where you can take a guided trip if you wish (in Portuguese only). One of the highlights is the Ubajara Cave, which you reach via a panoramic cable car. Inside, a fascinating world of stalactites and stalagmites awaits, shaped by the forces of nature over thousands of years. The Mirante da Gameleira viewpoint is also highly recommended, offering views of the Cafundó Waterfall and the surrounding mountainous landscape. Walking trails take you past ferns, dense woodland and refreshing waterfalls. During the rainy season (Jan–Jun), nature is at its most lush; in the dry months (Jul–Dec), you can enjoy clear, unobstructed views. A wonderful place to experience the rugged beauty of Ceará up close.
Accommodation: Pousada Gruta | bed and breakfast

Day 10 | Ubajara National Park – Jericoacoara

(approx. 280 km | 5.5 hours’ drive)

Today, you’ll leave the lush greenery of the Ibiapaba Plateau behind and head for the north-east coast of Brazil. Your destination: the legendary beach of Jericoacoara, renowned for its golden sand, towering dunes and laid-back atmosphere. The drive to the coastal village is around 190 kilometres and takes about four hours. Along the way, you’ll pass through the distinctive, semi-arid interior of Ceará. If you have time, a stop-off in Viçosa do Ceará is definitely worth it. This charming colonial town is just an hour’s drive from Ubajara and was founded in 1700 by Portuguese Jesuits. Here you can enjoy stunning views over the vast inland landscape. As you get closer to the coast, the landscape opens up more and more. Sand dunes appear on the horizon and, around Jijoca de Jericoacoara, the scenery transforms into a mosaic of lagoons, sandy tracks and restinga vegetation. As Jericoacoara is a protected nature reserve, you’ll return your rental car to the office in Jijoca. Here, you’ll transfer to a 4x4 that will take you along sandy tracks to the village. Once you arrive, you’ll discover a laid-back coastal town with charming pousadas, cosy bars, sophisticated restaurants and small boutiques. The village, which was discovered in the 1970s by hippies, artists and free spirits, is becoming increasingly well-known, yet has managed to retain its charm as a small fishing village over the years. A stroll along the sandy streets and past the galleries is the perfect way to get to know this unique place. Enjoy a refreshing cocktail whilst lounging on one of the many snow-white sandy beaches.
Accommodation: Vila Kalango | bed and breakfast

Day 11 | Jericoacoara

Accompanied by a Portuguese-speaking driver, you’ll set off today from the tropical paradise of Jericoacoara, travelling by buggy along the stunning coastline towards the charming town of Camocim. You’ll pass the iconic sand dune at Jeri and the rugged beach at Mangue Seco, where, if you wish (for an additional fee payable on the spot), you can explore the estuary teeming with seahorses by canoe. Along the way, you’ll enjoy dunes, lagoons and deserted beaches. Your final destination: Ilha do Amor — the romantically situated Island of Love. After a short crossing, you’ll explore Camocim’s local market and sample traditional flavours. A day full of experiences, nature and local charm, rounded off with a relaxing drive back to Jericoacoara.
Overnight stay: Vila Kalango | bed and breakfast

Day 12 | Jericoacoara

This day is free to spend as you wish. Enjoy your stay in Jericoacoara. There are various activities you can enjoy, such as a trip to the Blue Lagoon, which is considered one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world. The water changes colour as it gets deeper, ranging from almost transparent at the beach to a deep blue in the centre of the lagoon. Swimming here is a truly relaxing experience, as the water is a pleasant temperature and the idyllic surroundings are calm and soothing. You’ll also have the opportunity to go snorkelling here. You can also visit Lagoa da Paraíso, where you can swim, relax and enjoy a meal at the excellent local restaurant.
Accommodation: Vila Kalango | bed and breakfast

Day 13 | Jericoacoara – Amsterdam

Your unique journey through Brazil is coming to an end. You will be taken to Jericoacoara Airport, where you will board your flight to Amsterdam (via São Paulo). Good to know: flight connections from Jericoacoara are somewhat limited. It is also possible to drive from Jericoacoara to Fortaleza, from where there are more flight options. The drive from Jericoacoara to Fortaleza follows the coastline, where beaches, dunes and kitesurfers dominate the landscape. You’ll pass through various small and larger villages, where you’ll see the region’s way of life reflected time and again. Everything moves at a steady pace. The distance between Jericoacoara and Fortaleza is approximately 300 km, a journey of about 5 hours.

Day 14 | Amsterdam

You will arrive in Amsterdam today.