Lençois Maranhenses

The Lençois Maranhenses is one of the most amazing ecosystems in the world. It is the unique desert of the planet with thousands of crystal clear rainwater lagoons. The park, has more than 155,000 hectares of surface, borders the Atlantic ocean and is surrounded by tropical forests. This wonder of the nature is truly a surrealistic landscape: a white sand ocean splashed by thousands of green and blue lagoons, in which small fish, crustaceans and turtles, abound. Elect through a survey like the most beautiful natural wonder of Brazil, the Lençois Maranhenses National Park will now dispute the title of one of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the World (organized by the Foundation New 7 Wonders).

There are many different excursions to visit the park.

Walks

Zion Hill is a 20 minutes walk to the first dunes and lagoons of the Park. It is the ideal place to take different walk paths that vary in duration and difficulty according to the personal preferences. The walks can only last some hours or even from 2 to 4 days. You can visit the biggest and most beautiful lagoons, different oasis that are in the insides of the Park –among which Baixa Grande and Queimada Britos stand out-, or cross their 70 km to the town of Santo Amaro. In order to include the main attractions of the area, it is recommended to take the different excursions with experienced guides.

Horse rides

A good way to visit the surroundings of Atins, the beach and the Park is by horse. The rides are organized according to the preferences of each guest. They are not necessary any special skills and it is recommended to take the different excursions with experienced guides so that you do not miss the main attractions of the area.

Flights

Another excellent way to explore the park is on board a small plane. All the flights leave daily from the city of Barreirinhas and include the main attractions of the region: Preguiças River, the Small Lençois and Caburé, Mandacarú, Atins and the Lençois Maranhenses Park, among others.

4x4 Vehicles

Those who prefer a more comfortable way to visit the dunes can rent special traction vehicles that are an interesting alternative to know great extensions of the park in just a short time.

Boat Rides

A different option to know the region is on board smalls sail or motor boats. All the rides are arranged to suit every desire and can include simple strolls by the sea, fishing excursions guided by experienced local fishermen, visits to the neighbor towns of Caburé and Mandacarú, among others.

Surroundings

Canto do Atins

3 km away from Zion Hill and inside the Lençois Maranhenses Park, is this small village. Next to dunes and the sea, it is an ideal point to rest while visiting the Park and a perfect opportunity to lunch in the famous Luzia´s Restaurant.

Mandacaru

It is a small fishermen village alongside the Preguiças River that has a few restaurants, regional crafts stores and guided visits to his well-known Lighthouse.

Caburé

Located in the extreme of the Pequenos Lençois, it consists of not more than a narrow sand bank where they lodge a series of Restaurants and Pousadas and that allows to enjoy baths both in the calm waters of the Preguiças River and in the sea.