One of the most beautiful destinations in Brazil is also one of the most interesting. Discover amazing facts that will make you fall in love with Lençóis Maranhenses National Park!
Spanning 1,550 km² (155,000 hectares), Brazil’s Lençóis Maranhenses is a protected area in the northeastern state of Maranhão that features a surreal mix of white sand dunes, seasonal freshwater lagoons, mangroves, and remote fishing villages.
At first glance, it looks like a typical desert, but here’s your first fact about Lençóis Maranhenses National Park: its almost supernatural beauty holds secrets that reveal the complexity of nature and the exclusivity of phenomena that occur in the sand dunes of Brazil—and nowhere else in the world.
Curious to learn more? PlanetaEXO, an ecotourism platform specializing in Lençóis Maranhenses tours, has put together 10 facts about this fascinating destination. Check them out below!
1. It’s not actually a desert
Brazil doesn’t have deserts like the Sahara, but it does have Lençóis Maranhenses, a desert-like area formed by vast sand dunes, high biodiversity, and almost 2,000 mm of annual rain—more than entire cities like London and Berlin.
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As a wet desert, Lençóis’ intricate environment involves meteorological and geological factors that have been occurring for thousands of years.
👉 Read more: How Are the Dunes and Lagoons in Lençóis Maranhenses Formed?
2. Timing is everything when you visit Lençóis Maranhenses
One of the key facts about Lencois Maranhenses National Park is that the landscape changes dramatically with the seasons.
Julius Dadalti
From February to April, the rains fill the dunes with freshwater lagoons. Between May and September, they’re at their peak, perfect for swimming and photography. By September, many begin to dry up, revealing a significantly more arid terrain.
No matter the month, traveling to Lençóis is worth your while. Each season offers a different way to experience this jaw-dropping destination, from lagoon-filled hikes to dune crossings under wide, open skies.
👉 Read more: When is the best time to visit Lençóis Maranhenses?
3. The dunes can reach up to 40 meters high
If you’re wondering just how massive Brazil’s sand dunes can get, Lençóis Maranhenses will surprise you.
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Some dunes rise up to 40 meters, the equivalent of a 10-story building. Walking across them feels like stepping into another world. The sand is fine, pale, and soft underfoot, while each step reveals sweeping views of blue and green lagoons nestled in the valleys below.
It’s physically demanding but visually rewarding, especially during sunrise or sunset, when the light paints the dunes in golden hues.
4. Some lagoons have fish
Did you know there’s fish in Lençóis Maranhenses? According to scientific studies, some of the 36,000 lagoons across the national park are inhabited by wolf fish. During the dry season, they bury themselves in the mud and enter a state of dormancy that only ends when it starts to rain once again.
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This natural adaptation demonstrates how the dunes are extremely rich in terms of biodiversity, proving that resilience is an intrinsic part of environments driven by the complexity of nature.
5. Access points
There are three main gateways to Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil: Barreirinhas, Santo Amaro, and Atins.
Barreirinhas is the most developed, offering daily tours, river transport, and great infrastructure. Santo Amaro is quieter, with easier access to some of the most stunning lagoons, perfect for travelers who want to avoid crowds. Atins is remote and laid-back, popular with backpackers and kite surfers.
Each base city offers a different way to explore this unique region, whether you’re seeking convenience, immersion, or solitude.
👉 Read more: How to get to Lençóis Maranhenses?
6. Hollywood famous
While Lençóis Maranhenses is not as famous as the Amazon Rainforest or the Pantanal, it’s not an unknown destination. In fact, it’s Hollywood famous.
Marvel
The park’s surreal landscape of white sand and rain-filled lagoons was featured in Avengers: Infinity War, representing Vormir, the fictional planet where the powerful Soul Stone is hidden. The scenes were shot in Atins, one of the base cities of Lençóis.
7. The area has been inhabited for centuries
While it might look untouched, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park has a long human history. Villages like Queimada dos Britos and Baixa Grande, located deep within the dunes, have been inhabited for generations.
The families there live in harmony with the environment, depending on small-scale agriculture, fishing, and, in recent years, sustainable tourism. Their presence adds cultural depth to the region, showing that Brazil’s sand dunes are not just a pretty background but a living, breathing community space.
8. Recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site
In 2024, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park received one of the highest recognitions on the planet: it was officially declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This status highlights not only its surreal beauty but also its ecological importance and the need for long-term preservation. With its rare combination of vast white dunes, seasonal rainwater lagoons, mangroves, and traditional communities, the park stands out as a global landmark of nature and culture.
9. Not just sightseeing: plenty of adventure
Although they possess a stunning beauty, the Lençóis Maranhenses in Brazil are not merely a backdrop for contemplation and photos worthy of spotlight on social media.
Ma Rabelo
As an ecotourism destination, the national park offers many adventures beyond swimming in the lagoons, such as multi-day treks—which also include overnight stays in the homes of local residents—4×4 expeditions, boiacross or boat tours on the Preguiças River, and kitesurfing at Atins Beach.
10. You’ll probably lose your sense of direction
Among the most surprising facts about Lencois Maranhenses is how easy it is to lose your bearings once you’re deep inside the park. The landscape repeats itself in every direction, endless hills of white sand with no roads, signs, or clear landmarks.
That’s why guided tours are highly recommended—not only for safety but also to ensure visitors actually reach the lagoons and remote villages. Venturing into the park without a professional guide is not advisable.
Getting a bit disoriented, however, is part of the charm. Many travelers say that’s when the magic begins, when you stop trying to control the journey and let the scenery take over.
Delve into Lençóis Maranhenses National Park with PlanetaEXO
Ready to be enchanted by the paradisiacal landscapes of Lençóis Maranhenses in Brazil?
PlanetaEXO is an ecotourism platform that specializes in Lençóis Maranhenses tours. When you travel with us, we connect you with the best local operators to ensure an unforgettable vacation. From bookings to tailor-made itineraries, our team is always ready to help. Contact us now!
