Visit Riverside Communities on a Boat Tour along the Preguiças River

The town of Barreirinhas, in Maranhão, is the main gateway to Lençóis Maranhenses. However, the region has much more to offer! The Preguiças River flows through the town and is one of the main rivers in the area. A boat tour along it is a unique and memorable experience, where you will get to know riverside communities and visit beautifully preserved natural environments.

Circuit Caburé, Vassouras, and Mandacaru

The most famous tour in the region is the one that visits the villages of Vassouras, Mandacarú, and Caburé. This all-day excursion departs from Barreirinhas, navigating the Preguiças River and stopping at the villages. In Vassouras, the dunes and lagoons of the Pequenos Lençóis are the main attractions. You might also get lucky and spot the playful monkeys interacting with visitors!

Next, the boat heads to the village of Mandacaru, where the main attraction is the Preguiças Lighthouse—climbing the lighthouse provides an incredible view! The last stop of the tour is at Caburé Beach, where a narrow strip of sand separates the Preguiças River from the sea. You can have lunch at one of the local seafood restaurants, ride a quad bike across the dunes, or simply relax on the beach. This is the longest stop on the tour, after which the boat returns to town!

Immersion in the Communities

But you can go beyond the popular tour and visit other communities living along the Preguiças River. In Barreirinhas, you can find a tour where you will experience the production of farinha d’água (water flour) and learn about the work of local artisans who create products from buriti fiber. This is an opportunity to experience activities different from those offered inside the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park!

Casa de Farinha

This tour lasts about 4 hours. Early in the morning, the boat sets out for the village of Tapuio, home to the Casa de Farinha. The journey on the water is part of the adventure, and the guide makes a stop along the way to explain the region’s flora, especially the mangroves and igarapés that shape the landscape.

Upon arrival at the village, you will be welcomed by the riverside family of Mr. Zequinha David. You will then be taken to the Casa de Farinha, all while learning about the village’s history along the way. So many incredible experiences await!

At the Casa de Farinha, you will witness the entire production process, starting with peeling and washing the cassava. Next, the cassava is grated, and the mass is washed to remove the starch. After that, the mass is pressed to extract as much moisture as possible and then dried. To facilitate drying, the mass is sifted and then taken to the oven. Once dried, it is ready for consumption!

And of course, after witnessing this entire process, you will enjoy a delicious tapioca!

Crafts

After this amazing experience at the Casa de Farinha, the boat departs for the next village on the tour. Continuing along the Preguiças River, the stop is at the village of Marcelino. There, you will find local artisans who produce bags, hats, and various other products made from buriti fiber.

Here, you will also experience the artisans’ production process and learn the step-by-step method of how buriti fiber is transformed into a bag, for instance. It’s a very enriching experience that contributes to the local economy! You can take this opportunity to purchase a souvenir from your trip!

After visiting the village of Marcelino, the boat will take you back to Barreirinhas. You will arrive just in time for lunch, so you can already have a delicious place reserved to eat!

Stay Alert!

This experience includes guides who speak multiple languages such as English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, and even Japanese. This way, you can fully immerse yourself in everything this tour offers!

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