OVERVIEW OF LENÇÓIS MARANHENSES
There is nothing comparable to the fascinating Lençóis Maranhenses. The ‘Polo Park Lençóis’, situated on the eastern coast of Maranhão, involves the municipalities of Humberto de Campos, Primeira Cruz, Santo Amaro and Barreirinhas, the latter being the main gateway to this fantastic natural beauty.
Its biggest attraction is the National Park of Lençóis, on the banks of the Preguiças River, in Maranhão.There are 155 000 hectares of stunning landscape, full of tall dunes up to 40 feet tall and freshwater lakes.
It resemble a large desert, it rains there, 300 times more than in the African Sahara. Are these waters, trapped between the dunes, form true tropical oasis.
WHEN TO GO
Throughout the year you can visit Lençois Maranhão and find lakes for bathing but as the ponds are formed with the rainwater accumulation, the lack of rain can deflate some of the ponds depending on the time of year.
It rains throughout the first half, from December to June, and the rains usually end just before the start of the June festivals, that marked the beginning of the high season in Maranhão.
Therefore, to visit Lençóis Maranhão specifically the ideal is to go after the rainy season because customarily the ponds are very crowded. But, as said, throughout the year you can enjoy the beauty of the region that are not limited to the Maranhenses National Park.
GETTING THERE
It has an area 155,000 ha and 70 km from the beach. It is located in the state of Maranhão, encompassing the municipalities of Barreirinhas, Humberto de Campos and Primeira Cruz.
Access is done by land by BR 135, by sea, entering the channel Preguiças river in Atins and through river from Barreirinhas, through the Preguiças river.
By land, from São Luis, the state capital, travels up to 58 Km Rosario, and from there another 22 km until Morros and 162 Km to Barreirinhas, crossing the turnoff to Humberto de Campos.
The headquarters of the Park is 2 km from Barreirinhas, across the Preguiças river, where it crosses ferry. There are tours from Barreirinhas, using appropriate vehicles which it gets down to the dunes and freshwater lagoons.
By Plane
There are several airlines, including Tam, Gol and Azul operating flights to São Luis, departing from the main Brazilian capitals. There are Aircraft or bi-motor:, called Air taxi from São Luís. The flight lasts on average 50 minutes. The advantage of this means of transport, will make you enjoy the beautiful aerial view of Lençóis Maranhenses.
WHAT TO DO IN LENÇÓIS MARANHENSES
Below is the description of available tours in Lençois Maranhenses.
155 000 hectares of pure nature, a tour that gives opportunity to see the unforgettable sunset, knowing the characteristic of the flora and fauna of the region, and enjoy walks on long dunes, lagoons, where you´ll enjoy a swim in the lagoon´s freshwater or in the ocean.
TRAVEL TIPS
- The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is a place where you will have direct contact with an original and warm nature. So do not bother to bring heavy clothing.
- Only shorts, shirts, sandals, hat / cap and bathing suit.
- Repellent, sunglasses and sunscreen can not be forgotten to put in the luggage.
- For those with sensitive or very fair skin, one extra caution is needed, after all, in the dunes, there is no shadow and has no way you hide in the sun. It is recommended that you replace the sunscreen frequently, as recommended by the product manufacturers.