Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses
Go for white sand dunes that fill with rainwater lagoons in the wet season, reached from the town of Barreirinhas in northeast Brazil.
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Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is a large area of white sand dunes on the Atlantic coast of Maranhão, in northeast Brazil. Between the dunes, freshwater lagoons fill during the rainy season, roughly January to June, and you can swim in them. Barreirinhas is the main town for visitors, and São Luís, the state capital, is the usual airport city.
Most trips here are day tours in a 4x4 from Barreirinhas to walk the dunes and swim in the lagoons. The dry season, roughly July to December, leaves fewer lagoons, so the month you pick changes what you see. Pick the season first, because it decides whether you swim, see water between the dunes or mostly walk on sand. Two to three days covers the main sights on a first visit, with time to travel from São Luís to Barreirinhas. Expect hot days and bring sun protection for the open sand.
Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses in five
- Book a day tour with a local guideMost visitors see the dunes and lagoons on a day tour from Barreirinhas, riding in a 4x4 with a local guide. Ask the operator which lagoons the route covers before you pay.Tours and tickets
- Carry reais and use Pix for small paymentsPix is Brazil's instant bank transfer, and guides and pousadas often accept it. Small stalls and village services may only take cash, so carry notes in small values.Money and costs
- Plan the road from São LuísBarreirinhas is about four hours by road from São Luís airport. Book the onward transfer in advance so you can plan your arrival time.Getting around
- Pack water, a hat and sunscreen for the sandThere is little shade on the dunes, and the midday sun is strong. Bring more water than you think you need and a hat that stays on in the wind.
- Set up an eSIM before the dunesMobile signal is weak or missing on the dunes and in the smaller villages. Download your maps and bookings before you leave Barreirinhas.Phones and eSIM
Things to do in Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses
See all attractions in Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses
Need to know
- Currency
- Real (BRL)
- Entry
- Visa-free or e-visa, depending on passport; check before you fly Read more
- Emergency
- 190 police, 192 ambulance, 193 fire
- Tipping
- About 10% service often added to restaurant bills
- Time
- UTC-3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain, lagoons forming
- FebruaryHeavy rain, wet roads
- MarchRain, wet sand
- AprilRain easing
- MayLagoons full, rain easing
- JuneLagoons full, rain eased
- JulyLagoons still full, dry
- AugustDry, lagoons shrinking
- SeptemberDry, low water
- OctoberHot, lagoons drop
- NovemberHot, dry, low water
- DecemberHolidays, busy
Right now in Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 66%
- Wind
- 16 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 67%
Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses
05:44 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today30°27°67%Monday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 67%.
- Tue31°27°10%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 31°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Wed31°27°2%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 31°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu31°27°2%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 31°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri31°27°2%Friday: Cloudy. High 31°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat32°27°4%Saturday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sun30°27°8%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 8%.
Updated 05:41 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 5.437 BRL
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses
Rules for Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses, checked
Plan around Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses
Entry rules for your passport before you book flights
Read the guideGetting aroundFlights to São Luís, then the road to Barreirinhas
Read the guideTours and ticketsDune and lagoon day trips from Barreirinhas
Read the guideWhere to stayStays in Barreirinhas and the nearby villages
Read the guideMoney and costsReais, Pix and typical daily prices
Read the guidePhones and eSIMSignal gaps on the dunes and in the villages
Read the guideParque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses FAQ
Is Lençóis Maranhenses worth visiting?
Yes, if you want white dunes, freshwater lagoons and a slow pace. It is a poor fit if you want big-city nightlife or a long beach holiday with lots of shops.
When is the best time to visit Lençóis Maranhenses?
June and July are the months when the lagoons are still full and the rain has mostly stopped. From August the lagoons start to shrink.
Can you visit Lençóis Maranhenses without a tour?
Independent visits are possible from the base towns, but the dunes are hard to reach without a 4x4. A day tour from Barreirinhas is the simplest way to see them.
How do you get to Lençóis Maranhenses?
Fly to São Luís, then take a road transfer of about four hours to Barreirinhas. From there, book a day tour into the park.
Can you swim in the lagoons?
Yes, the lagoons are good for swimming. Bring a dry bag for your phone and camera, because wet sand can get on your gear.
Is Lençóis Maranhenses a day trip from São Luís?
Not in practice. The drive is about four hours each way, so plan at least two nights in Barreirinhas to see the dunes without rushing.