Our Tourism
The Povoado Bar da Hora and Community-Based Tourism
Our vision for tourism in Povoado Bar da Hora is to preserve the local fishing culture and highlight the importance of this traditional way of life. We value regional food, offering visitors authentic dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients. We seek to strengthen the community way of life, providing genuine experiences where residents are the protagonists.
Community-based tourism is the best option to achieve our vision, as it involves local communities in tourism development and management. We also involve new generations so that they can be protagonists of new sustainability models. TBC promotes the appreciation of culture, heritage and natural resources, benefiting host communities with income, empowerment and cultural preservation. At the same time, it provides travelers with an enriching and responsible experience, aligned with the values of sustainability and authenticity.
The adoption of this model was strengthened by strategic partnerships and continued support from various institutions. We deeply value our partnership with the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), whose support has been essential in enriching our community tourism with specialized training and sustainable practices. Collaboration with the Municipal and State Government, in addition to Pastoral da Pesca, has also been crucial for the development of projects that respect our cultural heritage and promote socioeconomic development.
Active community participation is the heart of our tourism. Each resident contributes to creating an authentic and welcoming experience, ensuring that the benefits of tourism are distributed in an equitable and sustainable way. Together, Bar da Hora and our partners are committed to conscious tourism, inviting everyone to a journey of discovery and community evolution.
We are ready to share our stories, hospitality and authentic experiences with the world, motivating visitors to explore our vibrant culture.
Lençóis Maranhenses shine in Brasília as Povoado Bar da Hora earns national recognition
By the Communications Office – ASCOM
Supported by Sebrae, the community wins 2nd place at the National Tourism Award and highlights the importance of tourism rooted in identity and preservation.
Tourism in the Lençóis Maranhenses gained national attention with Bar da Hora community winning 2nd place at the National Tourism Award, one of the local initiatives supported by Sebrae Maranhão. The ceremony, held on December 3rd in Brasília, marked the 4th edition of the award and reinforced the strength of sustainable tourism in the region. This is the community’s second national recognition, a result of its growing commitment to organizing authentic experiences, preserving the environment, and implementing a community-based management model.
Sebrae’s work with the village includes initiatives such as the Rota das Emoções Project and the Network of Tourism Itinerary Agents, among other actions that strengthen responsible tourism, promote training, and drive the local economy.
For the president of the Residents’ Association, Neusa Oliveira, the recognition reflects a journey built through dedication and unity. She says the result surprised and moved the residents, who see the achievement as an opportunity to broaden their horizons.
“When we learned that we were among the finalists, we were already very happy, because we knew we might win the bronze. Even from afar, it was emotional to see our community, Bar da Hora, reach this national recognition,” she celebrated.
Neusa adds that the award renews the will to keep strengthening local tourism with responsibility and respect for traditional ways of life.
“We never imagined going this far. We work hard to offer a high-quality experience without negatively impacting our community. This achievement motivates us to keep learning and to make Bar da Hora an even better place to live. It is a big responsibility, but we remain confident and grateful to everyone walking this path with us. Sebrae has been a key partner, guiding us and believing in our potential. We are very thankful for this partnership, which has also become a friendship,” she said.
The recognition also brings new visibility to tourism in the region. Representing the Bar da Hora residents in Brasília was Maira Matsui, owner of Casa Ingapura, who highlights the importance of national visibility for the work developed in the territory.
“This award represents the maturity of Bar da Hora’s community-based tourism project. It shows how we are building tourism with economic autonomy through strong community organization, valuing our cultural identity, and strengthening local governance. It is inspiring for other communities across Brazil, because it validates years of collective effort and a project built by many hands. The recognition confirms that we are on the right path by placing people, riverside culture, and environmental sustainability at the center of every decision,” she emphasized.
For Sebrae, the result confirms that strengthening community-based tourism is a consistent pathway for regional development.
Jeane Soeiro, coordinator of NAE in Barreirinhas, highlights that this progress is the result of organization and continuous learning.
“Seeing Bar da Hora recognized nationally is a source of pride for all of us. We have closely followed the community’s effort to build authentic experiences grounded in environmental care and collective participation. Our role has been to support them with training, consulting, and access to opportunities. This achievement shows that when knowledge reaches the community and is applied with commitment, development happens. The award opens doors and inspires other communities to believe that it is possible to grow with sustainability and local leadership,” she stated.
About the Award – The National Tourism Award, promoted by the Ministry of Tourism (MTur) in partnership with the National Tourism Council (CNT), recognizes innovative initiatives that positively impact Brazil’s tourism sector. The award highlights projects that generate jobs, income, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability — criteria that the Bar da Hora community continues to uphold with excellence.
Bar da Hora: a place of calm – Bar da Hora is a traditional fishing village along the Preguiças River, between Atins and Mandacaru, within the buffer zone of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. With around 100 homes and roughly 600 residents, the community preserves its riverside lifestyle, artisanal fishing, and caiçara culture while embracing community-based tourism through family-run accommodations, traditional cuisine, boat tours, kayaking, trails, and visits to the village’s “sustainable backyards.”
Sebrae Maranhão has played a decisive role in this transition. Through training, consulting, and support for the community’s tourism and entrepreneurship efforts, the institution has helped Bar da Hora organize cultural and tourism events, professionalize guest services, strengthen the local economy, and promote sustainable practices.