The “Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses” is a national park in the northeast area of Brazil, in the state of Maranhão. It’s one of the most beautiful destinations in the country. It has an area of 156.584 hectare of beautiful dunes and lagoons. In this guide to the Lençóis Maranhenses I’ll show the best tips to get to know the park in the best way possible.
In this guide to Lençóis Maranhenses you’ll see topics on where to stay, when to visit, how to the get there, tours and a 4 days itinerary.
This is the most magical place I’ve ever visited, there’s something so special about Lençóis Maranhenses. A MUST visit if you’re going to brazil.
Where to stay
The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park stay close to the main cities: Barreirinhas, Santo Amaro and Atins.
Barreirinhas
The biggest city and the most known between the three cities, with the most options of hotels and restaurants. Which is the positive side of staying in this town. There’s a lot of travel agencies there, making it easier to visit the park.
- Good Accommodations: Pousada Casa Dunas and Porto Preguiças Resort
- Cheaper options: Z-18 Hostel and Hostel Em Boas Mãos
Atins
This is the smallest city of the three, but it’s closer to the ocean. It’s a great place for those who practice kitesurf, and it’s also possible to learn the sport there. I think this villa has the best accommodation options, with a few boutique hotels with great facilities and close to the ocean.
- 3 and 4 stars: Vila das Águas, Oka Pousada Atins and Atins Charme Chalés
- Luxury Accommodation: Limbo Atins Chalets, VILA ATY LODGE, Pousada Casa Buriti and Rancharia Charme Beach
- Cheaper options: Chalés Paradise
Santo Amaro
This city is close to the park, some lagoons are possible to visit without a car. But it has less options of hotels and restaurants. The city is algo further away from the most known lagoons, the Lagoa Bonita and Lagoa Azul. The positive side is that there is less tourists than Barreirinhas.
- Good Accommodations: Casa Aconchego Lençóis, Guajiru and Pousada Rancho Matos
When to go – when to visit Lençóis Maranhenses
The best time to visit the Lençóis Maranhenses is between may and july, when the lagoons are at its fullest. But in July is very crowded since it’s Brazilian high tourism season. Between august and september it’s still possible to see the lagoons, they do start to dry out but you can still enjoy them. So if you want to enjoy the beautiful lagoons, the amazing views from the park, and no chance of raining, go in the months of may, june, july, and early august.
How to get there in Lençóis Maranhenses
The main way to get to the region of the Lençóis Maranhenses is through São Luís to Barreirinhas. It’s possible to go from São Luís to the cities by van, bus or car.
If you are coming from another state to Maranhão (where São Luís is located), it’s not advisable to rent a car if you’re only visiting the Lençóis Marenhenses. Since it’s only possible to visit the national park with the accredited guides. And the villas close to the park are very small, so the car won’t be necessary.
Van
For those who are travelling with a group is possible to rent a van to the city you’ll be staying at. This way is cheaper to share the price of the van with others. Some companies offer a private van or a shared van that you can go with other people to Barreirinhas but in a more comfortable way than the bus.
Bus
Another way of transportation is by bus, it costs about 50 reais and it takes 4 hours to get to Barreirinhas from São Luís. If you are traveling alone of with a few people, this will be a better option if you want to save money.
What to do in Lençóis Maranhenses
The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is huge, has thousands of lagoons and dunes, but only a few are part of the tourist attractions. Remembering that you can only enter the park with guides.
Lagoons
Lagoa Bonita (Beautiful Lagoon)
The most known lagoon, the dunes around it are enormous. Therefore watching the sunset from this lagoon is breathtaking, with a beautiful landscape. To get to the lagoon there’s a big climb, but there’s a rope to help those with more difficulties.
Lagoa Azul (Blue Lagoon)
The Lagoa Azul is the second most known in the park, one of the most famous circuits has it’s name. You’ll go through two other lagoons, Lagoa Esmeralda and Lagoa da Preguiça, before you get to the Lagoa Azul. I advise to do the Lagoa Azul circuit in the same day as the Lagoa Bonita. You go first to Lagoa Azul, come back for lunch and leave for second lagoon to see the sunset from there.
Lagoa Tropical (Tropical Lagoon)
To me this is the most beautiful one, it has a different color. It stays more further away from the other two lagoons. This one is part of the Atins circuit, therefore I advise to do this circuit. Just make sure that this lagoon is part of the circuit before you book it.
Lagoa das Sete Mulheres (The Seven Women Lagoon)
This one is closer to the Atins Beach, usually also included in the Atins circuit, make sure to check if it’s in it before booking. Since it’s further away from the main attractions this one is more empty.
Flying over the park
One of the most beautiful things to do, where you can see all the immensity of the park from the air. But this one is a little more expensive, costing at least 360 reais. The experience must be incredible, if you’re interest on doing this it’s better to plan in advance for the extra expense.
Rio Preguiças (River Preguiças)
The river that goes through Barreirinhas, for some attractions the transportation is made by boat on the river. Besides, it’s possible to go down the river in floats, super cool and fun.
Mar de Atins (Atins’s Beach)
This is usually included in the Atins’s circuit. The most incredible part of this attraction is the immensity of the place. The sea seams to have no end in one side, and on the other side there’s a no ending desert. Simply beautiful.
Farol Preguiças (The Preguiças Lighthouse)
This lighthouse is in the Mandacaru village, it’s part of the Rio Preguiças’s circuit. The entrance for the lighthouse is free and you have a view from the Small Lençóis and also the river.
ATTENTION: If you’re clautrostophic or are afraid of highs you should play attention the the place, maybe won’t be the best choice to go up there.
Trekking
A great option to really go deep into the thousands of lagoons and dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses. There’s a few different options of trekkings you could do in the area. There’s a one day small trail, with the local guide. But you can also enjoy a trip of more than 2 days of trekking and sleeping inside the park.
- 1 day trekking – 12 hours from Lagoa Azul to Lagoa Bonita
- 3 days trekking – from Barreirinhas to Santo Amaro
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