The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park on the north-east coast of Brazil offers an incomparable natural spectacle of snow-white shifting sand dunes and turquoise-blue ponds.
The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park was established in 1981 and is one of the most beautiful regions in Brazil. Anyone who comes to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is immediately captivated by the incredible beauty of this landscape. There is nothing else like it in the world! The dreamlike desert landscape is on our list of the top 10 sights of Brazil.
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PICTURES: Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Photo gallery: Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Land of 1000 Lagoons: Rain and Lakes in Brazil's Desert
The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is a spectacular ecosystem consisting of dreamlike white sand and shifting sand dunes that have been formed by the strong winds from the sea over thousands of years.
The unforgettable landscape continues to change constantly. The sand dunes are up to 40 metres high, extend more than 50 kilometres inland and look like snow-white bedsheets (Lençóis in Portuguese). On the coast, the dunes stretch for almost 70 kilometres. The breathtaking beaches here are mostly deserted.
The large, white, curved sand dunes form a desert, but there is regular rainfall from January to July (about 300 times as much as in the Sahara). This causes a unique phenomenon: fresh rainwater collects in the valleys between sand dunes.
Best time to visit Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
During the rainy season in winter (January to May), thousands of turquoise lakes appear in the desert. In summer (June to December), however, only three lakes remain: "Lagoa da Esperança", "Bonita" and "Azul".
Temperatures range between 16 and 36°C all year round. Due to the lower humidity, the dry season is considered much more pleasant than the rainy season. There are often strong winds that can reach up to 70 km/h in the months of September and October.
Daytime temperatures are around 30°C all year round and even on cooler days it hardly ever drops below 22°C. The least rain falls from August to November. Thus, the months of June to September are considered the best time to visit Lençóis Maranhenses National Park: low rainfall, low humidity, but still enough beautiful lakes to swim in and marvel at.
Thenational park is always suitable for swimming, as the water temperature of the azure lakes is a wonderfully warm 28°C in both summer and winter. From June to September, the water levels are at their highest. Then even fish cavort in the crystal-clear lakes, which come swimming in from the Rio Negro.
Journey to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
The town of Barreirinhas, with about 45,000 inhabitants on the banks of the Rio Preguicas, offers good infrastructure and acts as a gateway for exploring the Lencois Maranhenses National Park.
From Sao Luis, the capital of the state of Maranhão, you can reach Barreirinhas via the national road BR 135 (approx. 270 kilometres by road, 3.5 hours driving time). Alternatively, you can fly the route and arrive in Barreirinhas after a 45-minute flight. From here you can book your excursions and accommodation.
Tip: Even though Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is not really a desert, there are hardly any plants, certainly no trees, and thus virtually no shade. Walks through Lençóis Maranhenses National Park can get very hot and hikers should definitely be equipped with sufficient sun protection, headgear and drinking water!
Excursions and sights in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
The beauty of the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park can be experienced in many different ways. Be sure to take a few hours to really enjoy the unique landscape! The following options are available for exploring the national park:
- Day tour by jeep into the national park; there are no roads, therefore no entrance gates, because you are not allowed and cannot move in the national park with a normal car without four-wheel drive.
- A flight over the national park; flights take place irregularly and can be booked through local providers
- Boat trip along the Preguiças River to the river village of Atins, from where you can visit the fascinating dunes on foot.
- From the river village of Atins, hiking trails lead through the dunes to the villages of Baixa Grande (approx. 6 hours' walk) and Queimada dos Britos (approx. 7 hours' walk). Provided you are fit enough, you will experience a unique landscape that compensates for all the exertion. Due to the length of the hike, it is necessary to stay overnight in Queimada dos Britos (approx. 100 inhabitants). Be sure to take a guide with you. A popular excursion destination is, for example, the 35-metre-high Mandacaru lighthouse with a magnificent view over the surreal landscape.
- Overnight stay in the fishing village of Cabure on a headland between the river and the sea in a simple pousada.
Tip: There is hardly any tourist infrastructure in the national park! There are no hotels, only in the villages rooms can be rented in some houses. Especially along the hiking trails through the desert, you have to manage for long stretches without toilet facilities, waste bins and food options.
Related links:
Official website of the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (Portuguese)
