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Every rainy season, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in Brazil undergoes an incredible transformation: its pristine white sand dunes are seemingly flooded, overrun by gorgeous blue lagoons that springs up overnight.
Brazilian sand dunes, notably in places like Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, are popular for their striking beauty and unique landscapes. Visitors are drawn to the vast expanses of shifting sands, vibrant freshwater lagoons, and the opportunity for thrilling activities like sandboarding.
The Amazing Brazil Sand Dunes
Located in the Maranhão state in northern Brazil and running along the Atlantic coast, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is home to miles of beautiful white sand dunes. The park’s name translates from Portuguese to “bedsheets of Maranhão,” a reference to the sprawling smooth sand dunes.
The park runs along more than 40 miles of coast and stretches inland for another 3o miles. With such a large expanse of sand and nearly no vegetation, it would be easy to assume this park is classified as a desert. However, deserts, by definition, receive less than 10 inches of rain in a year, and Lençóis Maranhenses National Park has an average rainfall almost five times that.
For the first half of the year, the sand dunes are the site of constant rainstorms. This rainfall gathers in the valleys between the dunes, creating an entire lagoon system that encompasses miles of interconnected leftover rainwater. Mid-year, when the water has reached its peak, the lagoons can reach an amazing depth of 10 feet.
Incredibly, these temporary water sources are not devoid of life, despite their unique method of formation. Some of the lagoons attach themselves to permanent water sources, such as nearby rivers, and fish freely move between the permanent and the temporary waters.
Once the rainy season has ended, the heat of the sun works fairly quickly, evaporating all the rainwater lagoons in the span of just a few months. The dunes are once again the area’s only fixture, returning to their status as the “bedsheets of Maranhão,” until the next year rolls around and the cycle begins again.
It really is an incredible place that doesn’t look like it’s from this planet.
Visitors interested in exploring the dunes and lagoons are encouraged to stay in São Luís, the capital of Maranhão. Though the city is located a few hours away from the park, there is a system of tourist accommodations and daily bus routes that make travel from the city to the park convenient.
Once inside this beautiful place in Brazil, visitors travel via foot or Jeeps with a guide to ensure they do not get lost in the miles of identical dunes. If visiting in a month with high water levels, tourists are welcome to take a dip in the lagoons, which can reach temperatures in the high 80s, thanks to the constant beating sun.
Biodiversity in Lencois Maranhenses
Although seemingly barren, the dunes host 133 species of vegetation that have adapted to the salty and sandy environment. Lilies and bromeliads bloom during the rainy season, adding a touch of color to the monochromatic landscape.
As for animals, all sorts of species crawl out of the bedsheets when the lagoons are formed. The wolffish spend the dry season dormant, but after the rainy season, they emerge in the pools, just like other fish that reach the lagoons through connected riverways.
The mangrove and dune ecosystems are also home to four endangered species that include the scarlet ibis, the neotropical otter, the oncilla, and the West Indian manatee.
People of Lencois Maranhenses
The indigenous people sought refuge here, escaping the harsh droughts of the Sertão Nordestino. Driven out from their territory by the aridity, the Lençois “desert” appeared as an oasis to them.
Today, approximately 30 families that live from fishing, livestock, and tourism, populate Queimada dos Britos and Baixa Grande, the two restinga vegetation areas located within the dune field of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park.
Both areas are designated as the Primitive Zones of the park, where visits are limited to minimize environmental impact and motorized vehicles can be used only by the local population.
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FAQs
What Is So Special About Lencois Maranhenses National Park?
Lencois Maranhenses National Park is one of Brazil’s top natural attractions running for the title of Natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park’s otherworldly dunes and freshwater lagoons are home to unique flora and fauna, making it popular with adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers.
What Is the Best Time to Visit Lencois Maranhenses National Park?
The best time to visit Lencois Maranhenses is during the dry season from August to December. However, the rainy season from January to July is a good time as well since the rains contribute to the formation of the freshwater lagoons due to the impermeable rock beneath.
Is Lencois Maranhenses National Park Populated?
Yes, besides people living in villages around the dunes, 90 men, women, and children inhabit two oases in the dunes, Queimada dos Britos and Baixa Grande, where they dwell in palm-roofed mud huts.
How to Get to Lencois Maranhenses National Park?
The city of Barreirinhas is the gateway to the park, while Santo Amaro is a less popular access point. The drive from São Luis takes approximately four hours if you rent a car. Within the park, the best way to get around is on foot or in 4×4 vehicles.
What Does ‘‘Lencois Maranhenses’’ Mean?
The name ‘‘Lencois Maranhenses’’ translates to “bedsheets of Maranhao,” which is a Brazilian state situated along the tropical northeastern coast of the Atlantic Ocean where these white dunes that look like bedsheets are found.