Miraviva

Lencois Maranhenses

  • Dune jumping

    Dune jumping

  • Extraordinary landscapes

    Extraordinary landscapes

  • Picnic along the lagoon

    Picnic along the lagoon

  • Capturing the scence

    Capturing the scence

  • Lagoon and San dunes

    Lagoon and San dunes

  • Guided through the dunes

    Guided through the dunes

  • Inspiring horizons

    Inspiring horizons

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, where Desert and Sea Meet

Enclosing approximately 650 miles square of white sands intercepted at regular intervals by cool oases of turquoise lakes, Lençóis Maranhenses is one of the most unique, adventurous, yet peaceful places to visit in Brazil.

So broad and so blindingly white that it’s easy to understand why the park has its name – Lençóis Maranhenses, in Portuguese, literally means “bedsheets of Maranhao”.

Stretching for miles upon miles, the most enticing sand dunes in Brazil’s are located in Barreirinhas, 160 miles from the capital São Luís, in North Eastern Brazil

This city is an attraction in itself, with beautiful colonial architecture; the old part has the ambience of an old European town. If the weather is favourable you will be able to see the dunes from the airplane, the views are unforgettable. Having a unique natural formation caused by rare geological processes, The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park won five stars in the Guia Quatro Rodas.

To access to the most beautiful landscapes Maranhenses we use 4×4 vehicles.

Cabure beach, where between the river and the sea meet, you can bathe in both, their encounter is incredible. There are also numerous options of local restaurants with typical food; be sure to taste the sweet buriti.

The 360 degree view from the top of Preguica’s 35m Lighthouse, reaches takes in the villages of Mandacaru, Caburé and Atins, and also the meeting of the Rio Preguica with the sea. If you opt for a single-engine flight, you’ll understand the meaning of the park’s name: the astonishing views from the top, the dunes resemble sheets extended by the wind.

Some of the lagoons at Lençóis Maranhenses National Park are huge. Lagoa Bonita and Lagoa Azul are near the town of Barreirinhas. Lagoa Tropical, also worth a visit, is closer to the village of Atins. Lagoa da Gaivota (Seagull Lagoon), one of the park’s largest and most beautiful, is near Santo Amaro do Maranhão, a village located about 60 miles from Barreirinhas.

Although these lagoons exist for only a few months a year, they are not devoid of life. Interconnected lagoons link up with neighbouring rivers creating channels for fish to enter the temporary pools. The resulting blue, green and black “lagoons” are surrounded by the desert-like sand, and reach their fullest between July and September.

This is one of our top destinations for 2016 and highlighted by us in the Financial Times.

To visit the white sands and turquoise lakes of Lençóis Maranhenses between July and October, give us a call or send us a message.