Lençóis Maranhenses National Park: a natural movie setting in Maranhão

The Northeast of Brazil is full of surprises and amazing landscapes; one of them is the hidden paradise located at the State of Maranhão, the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. The place is one of the main tourist destinations in Brazil, where it is possible to find a Hollywood movie setting with lagoons formed by the accumulation of rainwater in the middle of a big desert. 

Created in 1981, the natural park covers a total area of 156,500 hectares, concentrating big dunes formed by the force of the winds. The closest cities, where you can find hostels and hotels to stay in, are the villages of Santo Amaro do Maranhão, Barreirinhas, and Atins. I will explain more about them through the article.

By the way, a fun fact about the National Park: The movies "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame" (2019) used the location as a backdrop for the planet "Vormir."

When to visit

First things, first! Before deciding to visit Lençóis Maranhenses, you have to keep in mind that the lagoons are not always there. To see the place in all its splendor, you probably should not go on the dry season, when the lagoons evaporate. Also, you should probably avoid visiting during the rain season, because, with cloudy weather, the lakes lose their charm. Remember that it is the sunlight that illuminates the impressive green or blue lagoons. 

So, if you want to make the best out of this experience, better go between June and September. The prices could be a bit higher, but trust me, it is worth it. 

Where to stay

As I said before, basically you have tree options: Santo Amaro do Maranhão, Barreirinhas and Atins.

Santo Amaro do Maranhão

If you choose Santo Amaro do Maranhão, remember that the city is very simple, with not much glamour. The accommodations in Santo Amaro are very basic, and this is justified because of the difficult access to the city. Until three years ago, the road did not exist; it was just sand. For the last years, with the new road, hostels started to be built there, so you have options to check before you go.

Barreirinhas

But if you want to see some more structured city, you should go to Barreirinhas. Despite the fact that the city has road access for more than 19 years, Barreirinhas do not have fancy hotels. But I would say that it is my favorite in the whole national park, mainly because of its history and characteristics of an old town. Plus, Barreirinhas is considered to be the main door to the park, because of its geo-localization.

Atins

If you want to go even further away, then go to Atins. It is a small village, but offers the most charming set of hotels but also the most expensive ones in Lençóis Maranhenses. That is because of kitesurfing, which is a very popular sport over there. There, you can find mostly European and tourists from all over the world.

Wherever you decide to stay, it does not matter. The important thing is to do proper research on what each of these places has to offer, the costs and the facilities provided. 

Getting there by car

First, you have to get into the Capital of Maranhão, the city of São Luís. From the airport to the National Park of Lençóis Maranhenses, it is a long journey: 240 km to Santo Amaro, 260 km to Barreirinhas and 260 km + 1 hour by boat (the price is normally 50 reais, or so 10 euros) if you want to go to the city of Atins. My tip here is not to go in your own car, because the condition of the bad streets can really damage it. If you plan to rent a car, make sure it is a big 4x4 car. 

Getting there by van

There are already some van operators between the capital São Luís and Santo Amaro do Maranhão, Barreirinhas, and Atins. The service cost starts from 50 reais (10 euros) and can go up to 90, including a hotel pick- up or even an airport pick-up from São Luís Airport. They drop you off at the place and city of your preference. The way back is the same, but make sure you schedule it beforehand with the driver, especially if you pay in advance. Usually, the entire journey takes about 4 hours, and in the high season, it can be difficult to find available spots, so plan your trip early to secure your spot.

Getting there by bus

You can also have the bus option, which by the way, is my favorite. They are more comfortable and secure. The companies which operate this trip are Cisne Branco and Guanabara. The routes are normally from São Luís to Barreirinhas, with offered routes several times per day. If your idea is to go to another city in the national park, keep in mind that you can find car transportation among them. 

So, the bus trip takes more or less 5 hours, with a cost of 60 reais (12 euros). To reach the bus station, you can take a Uber or taxi from the airport, which would not cost you more than 20 reais (4 euros).

So, this whole trip to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park guarantees unique landscapes that you will never forget. It is that kind of place you definitely have to visit at least once in your life.