I'm just relying on the fact that literally half of the ppl in my hostel in Jeri were continuing on to the Lençóis. A couple of groups were looking at renting private transport, and a few just slumming it. But 3 days is too short for the trip even if it is well traveled.
There's no hiking in Manaus. If you want to go hiking, I add my voice to those above: Chapada Diamantina is fantastic.
The last part done in 3 days does not give time to visit Jericoacoara, or leave any for delays (I speak from personal experience on what can happen up there in the park area.) It's at least 2 days from Barrerinhas to Jeri by private transport, and more by bus/ ferry, and another day to Forteleza direct.
I have to disagree. I did the trip last january (silly idea to visit Lencois then but oh well). The guy who runs/owns the hostel in Barrereinhas hooked up the transport to Jeri in one day. I have detailed it in the Brazil FAQs here. It is a long day but it can be done.
That said, 3 days to go from Lencois to Jeri and then to Fortaleza does not give you a lot of time to actually enjoy Jeri.
That kind of impromptu transport up there can work....or maybe it won't this time. (which is why I discounted it ever working reliably for me when you first posted) Too many uncontrollable factors to make firm plans on; need to have the flexibility of situation to be spontaneous. (And the R$500 you quote could be burdensome for a single traveler without a group on the same precise schedule to divide cost with.)
For example, the car that was supposed to take me from São Luis to Santo Amaro, one used regularly by someone in the house where I stayed, did not show up as arranged (apparently broke down). No phone call to inform. Stuck trying to make last second plans, luckily in São Luis and not in the middle of nowhere a truck ride away from the person with the connections.
To depend on everything going smoothly up there, locating the right person in a timely manner, making some connections in minimal time, particularly in order not to miss an international flight, is foolhardy.
@andrew, musta been a really huge hostel
(Note: When I started giving info on this area on all the Brazil travel forums, I was pretty much the only one posting firsthand info.)
As I said, it can be done in a day. Sure transport can be difficult and unpredictable. I got lucky and found a group. That may or may not happen to the OP. But at that time of year, I am sure there will be a lot of single travllers. If OP stays at that hostel then it is likely to be able to get transport with others.
That said, I do agree that 3 days to visit that stretch is over-reaching. Its definitely not enough time to enjoy the area considering (if transport cooperates) that you go 1 day to Jeri and then 1 day to Fortaleza. You definitely need a much more longer period there.
You plan to spend 4 days in São Luis - I'll say that's an overkill. There really isn't much to see/do in São Luis despite strolling around the centro historico, and go to the reaggae club (Chama Maré) on sundays. At least that's how it was when I lived there 5 years ago.
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