The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park covers a vast expanse of white dunes dotted with freshwater lagoons in Maranhão State in northeastern Brazil. This landscape, resembling a flooded desert, has no equivalent elsewhere in the country. The town of Barreirinhas serves as its principal gateway.

Why visit Lençóis Maranhenses

The park spans approximately 1,550 km² between the municipalities of Barreirinhas, Santo Amaro and Primeira Cruz. It features thousands of mobile dunes, shaped by trade winds, and seasonal lagoons that form after the rainy season. The entire area is bordered to the north by the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Rio Negro (Foz de Rio Negro).

Beyond the landscape, the park is home to approximately 113 plant species and over 112 animal species, some of which are threatened. Visible wildlife includes the kingfisher, blue-winged teal, paca and marsh deer. Two inhabited oases, Queimada dos Britos and Baixa Grande, survive in the heart of the dunes.

Lençóis Maranhenses was cited as visual inspiration for the planet Vormir in the films Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, which has contributed to its international renown.

History and formation

The current landscape is the result of a long geological process. During the Quaternary period, sediments carried by rivers to the Atlantic were caught up by dominant winds and deposited inland. This movement continues today: sand advances 4 to 25 meters per year depending on the sector.

The lagoons form thanks to a shallow water table. During the rainy season, water accumulates between the dunes and is retained by the impermeable layer beneath. This phenomenon distinguishes Lençóis from a classical desert.

To preserve this unique ecosystem, Brazilian authorities created the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park on June 2, 1981.

What to see in the park

Lagoa Azul

Located close to Barreirinhas, Lagoa Azul is the most accessible and most visited area. Dune fields and lagoons spread over nearly two kilometers. Adapted access allows visitors with reduced mobility to reach the water's edge.

Lagoa Bonita

About fifteen kilometers from Barreirinhas, Lagoa Bonita is reached by 4x4. Upon arrival, you climb a dune about thirty meters high before discovering the panorama: a line of lagoons that renews each year after rainfall.

Lagoa da Esperança

At the eastern edge of the park, between Barreirinhas and Santo Amaro, Lagoa da Esperança marks the meeting of the Rio Negro and the dunes. The setting evokes a river with sandy banks rather than a classical lagoon.

Lagoa da Gaivota

On the southwest side, Lagoa da Gaivota is the main attraction in the Santo Amaro sector. Regular winds make it a popular spot for kitesurfing, in addition to swimming.

Queimada dos Britos and Baixa Grande

These two isolated oases in the middle of the dunes host dense vegetation and small communities living from fishing and livestock. They are accessed by 4x4 over several hours, and some houses offer rustic overnight accommodation.

The village of Atins

At the mouth of the Rio Preguiças, Atins is a fishing village accessible from Barreirinhas. It is one of the most recognized kitesurfing spots in northeastern Brazil, with consistent wind during the dry season. The village also serves as a base for excursions to Baixa Grande and the coast.

Foz de Rio Negro and Praia da Travosa

The northern edge of the park overlooks the Atlantic. The long beach at the Foz de Rio Negro remains very little visited. Further east, Praia da Travosa hosts a surf championship in April that attracts regional competitors.

When to go

The climate is warm and humid, with an average temperature of around 26°C. Two seasons define the year:

• Rainy season: February to May. The lagoons fill up.
• Dry season: June to January. The lagoons gradually empty and reach their lowest levels in November.

The best time to visit spans May to September, when the lagoons are full and the sky is clear. Winds can reach 70 km/h during this period, corresponding to the high season for kitesurfing and windsurfing.

How to get there

The park is accessed via two main entrances:

• Barreirinhas (east): the most practical base for Lagoa Azul, Lagoa Bonita, Lagoa da Esperança and the village of Atins.
• Santo Amaro (west): a more discreet entrance giving access to Lagoa da Gaivota, Lagoa da Betânia, Lagoa das Emendadas, as well as the oases of Queimada dos Britos and Baixa Grande.

From São Luís, capital of Maranhão, daily bus connections serve Barreirinhas (approximately 4 hours travel). From Parnaíba in Piauí State, buses also reach the region. Once there, all movements within the park are exclusively by 4x4 or boat on the Rio Preguiças.

Practical information

• Opening: the park is accessible year-round during daylight hours. Precise hours depend on local operators and weather conditions.
• Admission: park entry is free. 4x4 and boat excursions are paid but remain moderately priced.
• Recommended duration: allow 2 to 3 days minimum to combine Barreirinhas, Atins and at least one interior oasis.
• To bring: sun protection, lightweight clothing, shoes to leave at the dune entrance (you walk barefoot).

To see in the region

Northeastern Brazil concentrates several remarkable natural sites that complement a visit to Lençóis:

• The town of Barreirinhas, the main logistics hub of the park.
• The Anavilhanas National Park, a river archipelago in the Amazon.
• The Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, a cerrado plateau with waterfalls.
• The Gruta do Lago Azul, in Mato Grosso do Sul.

Frequently asked questions

Preparing your trip

Lençóis Maranhenses combines ideally with a broader circuit in northeastern Brazil or with the Amazon. To build a custom itinerary, consult our trips to Brazil.