About
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park lies in the state of Maranhão in northeastern Brazil, close to the Atlantic coast. Its address is Barreirinhas, MA 65590-000, and it is also known as the Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses.
The park is known for its landscape of vast white sand dunes, stretching across the land in wave-like forms. Between the dunes, turquoise lagoons appear seasonally, so the scene changes over the year. The result is a desert-like environment set beside the sea, which many visitors find one of the most unusual natural sights in Brazil.
What a visit is like
A trip here is first of all a landscape visit. Much of the appeal lies in walking or travelling across the dunes and looking out over the lagoons, with the wide sky and open sand around you. Because the lagoons come and go, the colours and the amount of water you see depend on the time of year you go.
Planning your trip
- Location: Barreirinhas, in Maranhão, is the gateway town for the park.
- Contact: +55 98 3349-1267
- Setting: The park sits near the Atlantic coast, so the sea and the dunes are close together.
Before you go, check the contact number for current arrangements. Bring sun protection and water, as the sand and open landscape offer little shade.