Lençóis Maranhenses National Park

Maranhão, Brazil

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Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, located in the northeastern state of Maranhão, is a surreal and otherworldly landscape where vast white sand dunes stretch as far as the eye can see, interrupted by shimmering freshwater lagoons that appear like sapphire oases. Despite its desert-like appearance, the region receives abundant rainfall — around 1,200 millimeters annually — which collects in the valleys between the dunes during the rainy season from January to June.

These temporary lagoons, some reaching up to 100 meters in length and 3 meters in depth, are sustained by an impermeable layer of rock beneath the sand that prevents the water from draining away. Covering over 156,000 hectares and stretching along 70 kilometers of Atlantic coastline, the park is a unique ecological transition zone between the Amazon, Cerrado, and Caatinga biomes.

Its dynamic landscape is shaped by strong coastal winds that sculpt the dunes into graceful arcs and ridges, some rising as high as 40 meters.

The park is home to a surprising array of wildlife, including endangered species like the scarlet ibis, neotropical otter, and West Indian manatee, as well as over 110 species of birds and 42 species of reptiles. Visitors typically access the park from the nearby towns of Barreirinhas, Santo Amaro, or Atins, often via 4x4 vehicles or guided treks.

Activities include hiking across the dunes, swimming in the lagoons, and stargazing under some of Brazil’s clearest night skies.