A half-day speedboat tour on Rio Preguiças takes you to Vassouras’ lagoon pools, the panoramic Mandacaru Lighthouse, and Caburé’s river-meets-sea peninsula. Expect calm river travel, riverside culture, and chances to swim and spot capuchin monkeys.
A half-day speedboat tour on Rio Preguiças takes you to Vassouras’ lagoon pools, the panoramic Mandacaru Lighthouse, and Caburé’s river-meets-sea peninsula. Expect calm river travel, riverside culture, and chances to swim and spot capuchin monkeys.
You step onto a low-speed pier as the morning light slides across the Preguiças River; the boat’s engine hums, and a corridor of mangrove fringe and shifting dunes opens up ahead.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by FORTALEZA DREAM TOUR · Barreirinhas, Maranhão
You step onto a low-speed pier as the morning light slides across the Preguiças River; the boat’s engine hums, and a corridor of mangrove fringe and shifting dunes opens up ahead.
The route threads past small riverside settlements where wooden houses lean toward the water and children wave from shaded docks. After roughly 40 minutes on the speedboat you’ll slide into Vassouras, a lagoon-fed village whose deep pools invite a cooling swim when the water is high and where capuchin monkeys often appear at the river’s edge.
Geologically, the Preguiças winds between coastal dunes and Atlantic mangrove systems shaped by wind, tide, and seasonal rivers — a landscape shared with Lençóis Maranhenses to the west. Culturally, the riverside communities retain fishing and craft traditions; Mandacaru’s lighthouse is a 19th–20th century landmark offering a panoramic view that puts the river, sea, and dunes in one frame.
Practically, this half-day shared tour moves at a relaxed pace: a speedboat hop to Vassouras, a stop at Mandacaru for the lighthouse climb and vending stalls, a meal at a local restaurant, then Caburé peninsula where river and sea meet. Expect simple facilities, sun exposure, insects, and opportunities to buy regional crafts and caipirinhas locally. Guides are included and translations are available if a bilingual guide isn’t present.
Bring swimwear, sun protection, insect repellent, and cash for snacks and souvenirs. If you want quieter photography, aim for an early start and plan seating on the shaded side of the boat. The river invites curiosity — let the current set the tempo and be ready to step into village life for a few hours.
easy.
6–7 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; involves short walks, a lighthouse climb of several dozen steps, and getting on/off a small boat
The tour departs in the morning (often around 8:20 AM) and returns mid-afternoon; plan for roughly 6–7 hours on a shared itinerary with return around 2:30–3:30 PM.
Meals are typically not included; the tour stops at a local restaurant where you can pay for lunch and regional drinks separately.
Yes—Vassouras has deep lagoons in the high-water season suitable for swimming; always follow guide instructions about safe areas.
The trip is rated easy, but infants must sit on laps and river landings may require stepping on uneven surfaces; bring a carrier for easier mobility.
Barreirinhas and the Preguiças River have long been home to fishing and small agricultural communities and form the eastern approach to Lençóis Maranhenses’ dune ecosystems.
The area’s dunes, mangroves, and lagoons are sensitive—avoid leaving trash, respect wildlife, and follow local guide instructions to minimize erosion and disturbance.
FORTALEZA DREAM TOUR operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.




You step onto a low-speed pier as the morning light slides across the Preguiças River; the boat’s engine hums, and a corridor of mangrove fringe and shifting dunes opens up ahead.
You step onto a low-speed pier as the morning light slides across the Preguiças River; the boat’s engine hums, and a corridor of mangrove fringe and shifting dunes opens up ahead.
The route threads past small riverside settlements where wooden houses lean toward the water and children wave from shaded docks. After roughly 40 minutes on the speedboat you’ll slide into Vassouras, a lagoon-fed village whose deep pools invite a cooling swim when the water is high and where capuchin monkeys often appear at the river’s edge.
Geologically, the Preguiças winds between coastal dunes and Atlantic mangrove systems shaped by wind, tide, and seasonal rivers — a landscape shared with Lençóis Maranhenses to the west. Culturally, the riverside communities retain fishing and craft traditions; Mandacaru’s lighthouse is a 19th–20th century landmark offering a panoramic view that puts the river, sea, and dunes in one frame.
Practically, this half-day shared tour moves at a relaxed pace: a speedboat hop to Vassouras, a stop at Mandacaru for the lighthouse climb and vending stalls, a meal at a local restaurant, then Caburé peninsula where river and sea meet. Expect simple facilities, sun exposure, insects, and opportunities to buy regional crafts and caipirinhas locally. Guides are included and translations are available if a bilingual guide isn’t present.
Bring swimwear, sun protection, insect repellent, and cash for snacks and souvenirs. If you want quieter photography, aim for an early start and plan seating on the shaded side of the boat. The river invites curiosity — let the current set the tempo and be ready to step into village life for a few hours.