Lençóis Maranhenses

Thousands of turquoise rainwater lagoons scattered among white dunes like “sapphires on a bedsheet” — a World Heritage Site since 2024 and Brazil's most dreamlike natural wonder.

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park lies on the Atlantic coast of Maranhão state in northeastern Brazil. Established in 1981 and covering about 155,000 hectares, it was inscribed as a natural World Heritage Site in 2024. White quartz sand, shaped by the trade winds, forms crescent dunes stretching about 70 km along the coast and tens of kilometers inland. Rain from the January–May wet season is held up by an impermeable rock layer beneath, filling thousands of turquoise and emerald rainwater lagoons — “lençóis” means “bedsheets” in Portuguese. The best time to visit is June–September, when the lagoons are fullest and bluest, peaking in July–August; they gradually dry up after October, and December–May is the rainy season. A visit covers three areas: from the eastern gateway of Barreirinhas, the 4x4 circuits to Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita and boat trips on the Preguiças River (Vassouras, Mandacaru Lighthouse, Caburé); the fishing village of Atins at the river mouth; and the western gateway of Santo Amaro with Lagoa das Gaivotas. There is also a 2–3-day trek across the dunes with an overnight stay at the Queimada dos Britos oasis (guide required). Getting there: fly to the state capital, São Luís, then take a bus or shared transfer about 4 hours to Barreirinhas; only licensed 4x4s with guides may enter the park, and self-driving is not allowed. Plan on 3–4 days. There is no shade on the dunes and the sun is intense, so bring plenty of sunscreen and water, and protect electronics from sand and water.

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