The Magnificent Paradise of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Visit this park that’s masked by such unique astonishing beauty.
Located in the state of Maranhão, northeastern Brazil, this untouched gem of Brazil (which needs to be protected at all cost) was previously a beauty that nature lovers could only dream. In modern times however, it has been discovered that such beauty does exist in the world, and even better, it is accessible.
How to Get There
To visit the park, it is advisable to book a flight in to the city of São Luís. From there, tours to the park can be booked or public transport can be used to reach the town of Barreirinhas (place of accommodation) which is located on the outskirts of the park. From Barreirinhas, visitors can reach the park with a jeep and it is highly recommended for visitors to go with a guide as it is easy to get lost very quickly whilst exploring the dunes and lagoons. It is recommended to spend a minimum of two days to explore the biggest lagoons in the park (Azul and Bonita).
Common Activities
Activities which visitors can enjoy include swimming, surfing, surfing, night sky observation, canoeing, bicycle touring, camping, horseback riding, vehicle tours, as well as various water sports. Tours that are offered within the park include speed boat tours, boat and water sport tours, sight-seeing tours, off-road tours and more. Guides and tours can be booked online, however, it is advisable to do so locally in the town of Barreirinhas, a method which remains a popular option with international visitors.
Ecology
A few lagoons in the park may be interconnected and rivers run through the areas, however, many lagoons remain separated by the rolling sand dunes. These lagoons and rivers are inhibited by numerous fish and insect species including the wolf fish which remain burrowed in the wet layers of the mud during the dry season. In addition to the sand dunes, rivers, and lagoons, the ecosystem of the park includes Restinga (a tropical and subtropical broad leaf forest that forms on a beach landform that extends from the main coast) and mangrove ecosystems.
The four endangered species that the park is home to include the scarlet ibis, the neotropical otter, the oncilla and the West Indian manatee.
Tips for Visiting
There are no shades to take refuge from the sun apart from the roofs of the jeeps in which you travel to the park. Prior to boarding the ferry, the driver will stop at a shop and remind travelers to pick up any essentials including water. Outside of the park, there are a few huts that contain water and snacks but none in the park itself.
Videos For Those Who Are Further Interested:
Wakeskating Brazil’s Desert Lagoons: Lençóis National Park
A Tour of Brazil’s Crystal Blue Lagoons
The spectacularly beautiful Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is certainly a sight to be marveled and appreciated. If one is given the opportunity, there is almost no excuse or reason for why they should not go.
