village · Barreirinhas, MA
Vila de Atins
A former fishing village near the mouth of the Preguiças, now a base for kitesurfing and beachfront pousadas. From here, walking and 4x4 trips head to less-visited lagoons.
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 Vila de Atins
Atins is a fishing village in Barreirinhas, at the mouth of the Rio Preguiças, right next to the Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses. It's about 30 km from the town center, has sandy streets and no pavement, and is a few kilometers from the first lagoons of the park, created in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2024.
The village has become a base for those who want the Lençóis with fewer people. From there, 4x4 tours and hikes go to lagoons on the eastern side of the park, such as Lagoa da Lua, and to the Canto do Atins circuit, known for the grilled shrimp served at the edge of the dunes. Atins is also the starting point of the Travessia dos Lençóis, the multi-day trek to Santo Amaro do Maranhão.
In the second half of the year, the steady wind brought another crowd: kitesurfers, who use the river mouth and the beach. The wind season generally runs from mid-year to year-end. Beachfront pousadas came along, and today the village mixes fishing boats, kite schools and small restaurants, without losing its small-village pace.
The access helps keep that pace. There's no paved road: you arrive by speedboat along the river, by boat with stops on the way or by 4x4 on tracks and beach. That's why most visitors stay at least one night instead of going and coming back the same day, and use the village as a base for two or three tours.
Before you go
Practical information
How much time to set aside
At least one night, so you can take a lagoon tour from the village.
Best time
From June to August, when the lagoons are full. For kitesurfing, the wind is stronger and steadier in the second half of the year.
How to get there
From Barreirinhas, by speedboat along the Rio Preguiças (about an hour), by boat with stops in Vassouras, Mandacaru and Caburé, or by 4x4 on tracks and beach, on a route that depends on the tide. A regular car can't get there. Lagoon tours inside the park are always with a driver or vehicle licensed by ICMBio.
Tip
Bring cash: the village has no bank or ATM, and cell signal is weak.
A look at the place
Vila de Atins 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 Vila de Atins
How do I get to Atins?
From Barreirinhas, by speedboat along the Rio Preguiças (about an hour), by boat with stops in Vassouras, Mandacaru and Caburé, or by 4x4 on tracks and beach. A regular car can't get there.
Does Atins have a bank or ATM?
No. Bring cash. Cell signal is also weak.
Can I visit the lagoons from Atins?
Yes. 4x4 tours and hikes leave the village for lagoons on the eastern side of the park, always with a driver or vehicle licensed by ICMBio.
Is Atins good for kitesurfing?
It's one of the kite bases of the Lençóis, with schools in the village. The wind is stronger and steadier in the second half of the year.