Relax! You probably started looking and felt lost… thinking it would be very difficult to get here. But it’s not that complicated, and we’re here to help!
The fastest way to reach Lençóis (the town with the best infrastructure in Chapada) is by landing at Lençóis Airport itself, which is just 20 minutes from the town. It receives flights on Wednesdays and Sundays from São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, and Salvador.
Another option, with daily flights, is to fly to Salvador, which is about 430 km away. Once at the airport, there are two main ways to get to Lençóis.
The first is by bus, with the company Real Expresso, which departs from Salvador every day at three times: morning (8–9 a.m.), afternoon (1–2 p.m.), and night (10–11 p.m.).
The ride takes about 6 hours and is very comfortable, with air conditioning, reclining seats, and even sleeper options. Tickets range from 110 to 150 BRL and can be purchased directly on Real Expresso’s website.
A tip we like to give to save time is to take the night bus that leaves Salvador at 11 p.m. and arrives in Lençóis at 6 a.m. You can sleep on the way and start the tours the next day without losing a day of your trip.
If you come by bus, we offer a package that, in addition to a guide, entrance fees, logistics, and accommodation, also includes transportation for all the tours you want to do.
For your return from Lençóis to Salvador, bus schedules are very similar, and there’s also the option for a night trip.
The second way to get from Salvador to Lençóis is by renting a car at the airport. Several companies offer this service, so we recommend checking Rentalcars’ website, which searches multiple sites to show you the best price.
This drive usually takes about 5 hours. If you choose this option, you’ll have your own transportation for all tours in Chapada. In this case, our package won’t include transportation, but we will plan all your tour logistics, including guides, entrance fees, and accommodations.
Now that you have an idea of travel time… remember to choose your flight to match your transfer to Chapada. For example, if you rent a car at the airport and your flight lands in Salvador at night, you’ll need to stay one night in Salvador if you don’t want to drive on a dark road. It’s better to find a flight that arrives in the morning.
The same reasoning applies for your return. It’s good to get a late afternoon or evening flight so you don’t have to leave a day early and sleep in Salvador.
Now comes the classic question: Maju/Guto, what’s better? Car or bus?
The answer is: It depends… on several factors.
We’ll tell you the pros and cons so you can decide what’s best for YOU…
Bus: You’re a bit limited by departure and return times, since tickets are fixed, but you don’t have to worry about driving 5 hours on unfamiliar roads. Plus, once you arrive in Chapada, you won’t have to drive every day to the tours, which sometimes take 2, 3, or even 4 hours of driving. If you prefer to relax and not worry about anything, taking the bus with us and the transport service might be the better choice.
Car: You have more freedom with your schedule, can choose which car to rent, but you’re responsible for driving every day. If you like and know how to drive, this can be a great option! Keep in mind that some road sections are dirt roads and may require extra attention, especially when it rains.
When you book your itinerary with us, you choose what’s best for YOU, not us! Consider the points and feel free to travel however you like. We’ll adapt 🙂
Another common question: “Do I need a 4×4?” No, you don’t. Smaller cars like Gol, Kwid, Uno work perfectly fine and are what most local tour operators use.
Of course, a better car will be more comfortable, but it’s not essential!
We hope this helps you see that getting here is easier than you think, and you won’t regret it…
See you soon!
Maju & Guto
