river · Barreirinhas, MA
Rio Preguiças
The speedboat trip goes down the river between mangroves and dunes, with stops at small riverside villages. It's the water-based counterpart to the walks on the sand.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Rio Preguiças
The trip along the Rio Preguiças is the big boat outing from Barreirinhas. The speedboat, known locally as a voadeira, leaves from the town pier and goes down the river to near its mouth, where it meets the Atlantic.
Along the way the scenery keeps changing. There are stretches of dense mangrove, banks lined with buriti palms and, little by little, white dunes that reach the water's edge. The boat rocks quite a bit on some stretches.
There are three stops. In Vassouras are the Pequenos Lençóis, low dunes with lagoons, river and mangrove side by side, plus capuchin monkeys that roam among the stalls. In Mandacaru, a fishing village, the highlight is the Farol Preguiças (lighthouse), with a view from the top over the river, the dunes and the sea. The last stop is Caburé, a strip of sand between the river and the ocean, where the group has lunch and goes swimming.
It's a full-day trip, relaxed and with no hard hiking. The biggest effort is climbing the lighthouse stairs, which is optional. It suits families and anyone who wants to see a side of the Lençóis different from the lagoons.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
The trip takes the whole day: it leaves in the morning and returns in mid-afternoon.
Best time
You can do it year-round, because it doesn't depend on full lagoons. Take the first boat in the morning for good light on the river and more time in Caburé.
How to get there
The speedboat leaves from the pier on Avenida Beira Rio, in downtown Barreirinhas. The trip is sold by agencies in town, usually with pickup at your pousada; you can also arrange it directly with boatmen at the pier.
Tip
Bring cash for lunch in Caburé, which is usually not included, and don't feed the monkeys in Vassouras. Keep your phone and camera in a dry bag: the boat splashes water.
A look at the place
Rio Preguiças in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Rio Preguiças
How long does the Rio Preguiças trip take?
It's a full-day trip. The speedboat leaves Barreirinhas in the morning and returns in mid-afternoon.
What are the stops on the trip?
Vassouras, with the Pequenos Lençóis and the capuchin monkeys; Mandacaru, with the Farol Preguiças (lighthouse); and Caburé, where the group has lunch and swims in the river and the sea.
Is lunch included?
Usually not. In Caburé there are restaurants and beach shacks to eat at; check with the agency when you book.
Do I need to book in advance?
It's best to book at least one day ahead with an agency in Barreirinhas, especially on holidays and in high season.
Is the trip good for children and seniors?
Yes, there's no hard hiking. The boat rocks on some stretches and the lighthouse climb is by stairs, but it's optional.