Rota das Emoções
Comprising the states of Ceará, Piauí, and Maranhão, Rota das Emoções is a remarkable route for travelers seeking adventure amid stunning natural landscapes in Northeastern Brazil.
It spans a total of 500 km, crossing all three states and covering 14 municipalities, which are:
Ceará: Jijoca de Jericoacoara, Barroquinha, Camocim, Chaval, and Cruz
Piauí: Parnaíba, Ilha Grande, Luís Correia, and Cajueiro da Praia (Barra Grande)
Maranhão: Barreirinhas, Paulino Neves, Araióses, Tutóia, and Santo Amaro do Maranhão
The most popular destinations along Rota das Emoções are Jericoacoara, the Parnaíba River Delta, and the Lençóis Maranhenses.
How to Get There
The recommended way to start Rota das Emoções is from either end — Ceará or Maranhão — as this makes it easier to complete the full itinerary.
There are three main airports closest to the route’s key access points:
By Plane
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- Jericoacoara (JJD) – Located in Cruz, about 30 km from the village of Jericoacoara (CE)
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- Parnaíba (PHB) – 22.9 km from Porto dos Tatus and 68.8 km from Barra Grande (PI)
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- São Luís (SLZ) – 248.4 km from Barreirinhas (MA)
Two additional airports with access to the route are:
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- Fortaleza (FOR) –300 km to Jijoca de Jericoacoara (CE)
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- Teresina (THE) – 304.4 km to Parnaíba (PI)
By Car:
You can explore Rota das Emoções on an off-road itinerary, covering the entire route in a 4×4 vehicle over a period of 5 to 15 days, depending on the stops you choose.
In this case, the best option is to purchase a personalized package through one of the local tourism agencies.
Keep in mind that private vehicles are not allowed in some areas, such as the village of Jericoacoara and the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, requiring access through specialized agencies.
By Bus:
Fortaleza – Jijoca de Jericoacoara
The company Expresso Guanabara offers a direct route from the João Thomé Bus Station in Fortaleza to Jijoca de Jericoacoara.
The fare ranges from R$46 to R$94, depending on schedule and class.
The trip lasts approximately 6h03m to 7h.
For more information, visit the company’s website or call 0800 728 1992 (available only for calls made within Brazil).
São Luís – Barreirinhas
Expresso Guanabara also has a direct route from São Luís to Barreirinhas.
Tickets cost around R$48.40, varying by schedule and class.
The trip takes about 3h50m.
For more information, visit the company’s website or call 0800 728 1992.
For tourists from Teresina looking for a starting point to begin the route, the following options are available:
With Expresso Guanabara, fares range from R$55 to R$117.
Travel time: 5 to 6 hours.
For more information, visit the company’s website or call 0800 728 1992.
Parnaíba – Jijoca de Jericoacoara
From Parnaíba (PI), you can travel to Jijoca de Jericoacoara via Expresso Guanabara.
Tickets cost R$50.00 to R$62.76, with a travel time of 3h45m.
For more information, visit the company’s website or call 0800 728 1992.
What to Do
There are countless activities to enjoy across the destinations that make up Rota das Emoções, especially when it comes to adventure and ecotourism.
Some of the most sought-after attractions include:
Ceará – Vila de Jericoacoara, Buraco Azul, Lagoa do Paraíso, Duna do Pôr do Sol (Sunset Dune), Pedra Furada;
Piauí – Parnaíba River Delta, Pedra do Sal Beach, Porto das Barcas, Coqueiro Beach, Barra Grande;
Maranhão – Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Lagoa Azul, Lagoa Bonita, Ilha do Caju
Rota das Emoções allows travelers to experience breathtaking landscapes throughout the journey — but more importantly, it enriches cultural understanding through close contact with the lifestyle and traditions found in each destination.
Text: Yonara Ferreira
Supervision: Janaina Araujo