Lençóis Maranhenses

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is a natural wonder in northeastern Brazil and one of our absolute favorites in Brazil. You will find a unique landscape of vast white sand dunes that fill with crystal-clear freshwater lagoons. The park covers an area of about 1,500 square kilometers, creating a surreal desert-like scenery next to the ocean. During the rainy season, the valleys between the dunes fill with rainwater, forming thousands of turquoise and emerald lagoons. At the border of the park, you will also have beautiful contrast with the surrounding forest, and the sunsets there are unforgettable.

Highlights

beach

adventure

hiking

When to Go

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The best time to visit Lençóis Maranhenses is from June to August when the lagoons are full and the weather is generally sunny. In April and May, the lagoons are at their fullest, but there's a higher chance of rain. By late August to early September, the lagoons start to recede. The rainy season can vary annually, so it's advisable to check with local tourism agencies before planning your trip.

How to Get There

From São Luís: Fly to São Luís, then take a 4-hour drive. Options include shared shuttles to Barrerinhas or Santo Amaro offered by various companies, public bus (to Barrerinhas only), taxi or renting your own car. To reach Atins, you can take a boat or hire a 4x4 through an agency from Barreirinhas. There's also an airport in Barreirinhas, but it's usually expensive and not worth it. From Jericoacoara: The best option is to hire a private transfer directly to Barrerinhas or Atins. Usually the accomodations help with finding transfers.

How Long to Stay

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We recommend staying 2 to 4 days. You can experience the dunes in one day, but spending at least 2 days allows you to experience the park from different angles. The additional day you can use to do a boat tour on the river or a quad tour through the dunes. If you're a kitesurfer, you might want to stay even longer to enjoy both the dunes and the ocean. There are also multi-day hiking tours which usually go from 3 to 5 days, if you really want to immerse yourself.

Where to Stay

When visiting Lençóis Maranhenses, you have three main options for accommodation, each offering a unique experience. Barreirinhas is often considered the 'capital' of the region, providing the most economical base with the best infrastructure and a wide range of tours. However, it is the farthest from the national park. Atins, located at the mouth of the Rio Preguiças, is the only village with a beach and has become a popular destination for kitesurfing. It has evolved into a trendy beach village with charming accommodations, new restaurants, and a vibrant social scene. Santo Amaro, practically inside the national park, offers easy access to some of the most beautiful lagoons that take longer to dry up. With recent improvements in road access and accommodation options, it has become an excellent base for exploring the heart of Lençóis Maranhenses. Depending on your interests, you can choose one or split your stay between these locations to fully experience the region. If you don't have a lot of time we recommend only staying in Barreirinhas.

Getting Around

Transport for tours is usually included. In Barreirinhas, if you stay near the center, you can get around on foot; otherwise, having a car is helpful. For traveling between villages, if you plan to stay in more than one, private transfers are the most convenient. Between Barreirinhas and Santo Amaro, you can also use your own car. Note that it's usually not possible to travel from Santo Amaro to Atins in a single day due to transfer times. To reach Atins, you'll need to take a boat or hire a 4x4 from Barreirinhas.