Lencois Maranhenses Destination Guide

Tha National Park of Lencois Maranhenses is a spectacular area full of natural wonder. There is plenty to see and do in Lencois Maranhenses. Bordering the park is the Preguiças River, which flows all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. One can make a trip inland by chartered boat or via voadeiras (long boats). Some of the attractions along the route include communities such as Atins, Mandacaru and Caburé. It is possible to find comfortable Lencois hotels or chalets to stay in at Caburé and Atins. There are several beautiful beaches close to Barreirinhas, including Ponta do Mangue, Brooms, Moitas, Barra do Tatu and Morro do Boi. Since Barreirinhas is the municipal seat, it has good access to all the beaches by boat.

Don’t miss the stunning sunsets in this beautiful, ecological, sandbank wonder. After sunset, watch the starry skies that the local communities enjoy every day. Both the sunset and the stars remain one of the main attractions for visitors.

Our Lencois Maranhenses Destination Guide below tells you all about the exciting things to see and do in the town and the stunning surrounding area. The ideal way of seeing the sights and getting a taste of the local culture is by taking one of our interesting Lencois Maranhenses tours. For more exciting things to do around the country, check out our Brazil Destination Guide.

Things to See & Do in Lencois Maranhenses

Known to be the most breathtaking lake of the area, the Silver Lake is located south of the Great Sheets in Lencois Maranhenses park.

Located near the mouth of the Preguiças River, Atins is the gateway to the Great Sheets of Lencois Maranhenses, and is just a short walk from the National Park. The town is easily reached by boat via its 70 km of untouched beaches.

Located in the National Park, this beautiful blue lagoon has transparent water that is three metres deep. Just 30 minutes from Barreirinhas, the Blue Lagoon is a refreshing spot for a nature-inspired bath.

This natural formation is located at the park border. For trekking enthusiasts, the Bonita Lagoon is located 30 km from the Blue Lagoon on the trails. Do remember to carry water and snacks for the walk.

This lagoon is full of different varieties of fish, and its water has a dark green tint due to the high levels of aquatic vegetation.

The fishing village of Cabure consists of simple homes with local trademark buriti straw roofs. The village is lit only by a generator, which often gives it a mystical feel. Situated on the Preguiças River, the village has some delightful freshwater sites for bathing. Its chalets offer good food and are a good choice for an overnight stay.

The biggest attraction of this fishing village is a 54-metre high beacon. This lighthouse offers some of the most amazing views of the park, especially of the dunes, going all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. The Preguiças River not only provides shipping access to the area, but also offers a breathtaking panorama of the region via water, through its network of lakes and rivers.

Located on the banks of the Rio Preguiças, the House of Flour and Pottery is built on original family property and offers the traveller a chance to see and participate in the preparation of cassava four and also in the manufacturing of mud bricks. Both are means of sustenance in the local economy.

Ponta da Brasilia is the point where the Preguiças River enters the Atlantic Ocean. Located five hours from the community of Caburé, it is a good place for walking.

Located about an hour away from Barreirinhas, this river has crystalline water and is surrounded by lush palm trees. In the underbrush, you will see buriti, the palm which is used to cover homes.

This winding river of pure, fresh water surrounds the desert until it enters the sea. By taking a Lencois tour by voadeira boats, you will get to experience the local communities living by the water, as well as its islands, dunes and vegetation. The river gets its name from its calm waters (preguiças means lazy). The river enters the Atlantic Ocean at Atins, which is a small fishing colony and the perfect place to find fresh fish and shrimp. The area is surrounded by native vegetation such as coconut and palm trees.

This is the region situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Preguiças River, and has similar landscape to that found in the park, with rolling sheets of sand.

A must for any trip to the region, a scenic flight assures you astounding views from above the Preguiças River. Be sure to watch how the wind shapes the dunes below.

The landscape changes in the dunes on a daily basis, as they are shaped by the wind. Remember to take your camera to capture the uniqueness of the landscape.

This is the largest lake in the region and is perennial. Located in the western part of the National Park, it is close to Santo Amaro, which has basic infrastructure for visitors.

As the river with the largest delta in the Americas, the Parnaiba River starts in the Chapada Mangabeira and travels nearly 1,500 km across the continent, eventually separating into five channels and creating a wide maze of islands and rivers. With its numerous streams, the Parnaiba Delta is a unique landscape that has ensured the survival of many plant and animal species.

Situated in Parnaiba’s delta region, the island is famous for its deserted beaches and sand dunes. A large and diverse variety of local fauna and flora can be found in the region. Interestingly, the Parnaiba is the world’s only river with an estuary in the open sea, and because of this, there is a tangle of lagoons, banks and islands.

The Isle of Cashew is an area under environmental preservation and encompasses 27 miles of pristine beaches, lakes, streams, and dunes. The region is also home to a large number of migratory birds, including the guará, which is the symbol of the Isle of Cashew. Access to the island is allowed only to guests staying at the Ecological Cashew Island Hotel, and trips can be made by horses, chariots or jeeps, all with the help of local guides. Another option is to take a tour by ship, kayak or boat, depending on the tides. The coastal region of Maranhao has strong tides, with the differences in sea levels between day and night going up to seven metres.

The Lake Circuit: From April onwards, this is one of the most beautiful trails in the Maranhenses sheets, as it is surrounded by the Santa Amaro, Travosa and Guapiriba lakes. You are bound to see a variety of aquatic fauna and flora in the region and will be able to visit the communities of Boa Vista, Bingham, Green Point and San Francisco.

Circuit of Birds: Located in the Murici region, this is the perfect trail for bird-watchers, as it has the highest concentration of birds in the National Park. This is also the most important walk of the National Park, and one on which visitors will be able to get close to both nature and wildlife.

Oasis circuit of the park: Considered to be the native home of the park’s first residents by IBAMA, this area has the largest and most beautiful sand dunes. Explore this region by bike or by horseback.

Circuit – Waters of the Rio Alegre: Visitors can explore the Alegre River as well as the riverside park in this circuit. During low tide, river beaches are created between Spike and Santo Amaro. There are several places to bathe such as the Wall Pacas, Igarapé da Roca, Pagan, Mulundus, Ponta do Spike and Mosquitos, where the transparent waters are safe for both children and adults.

Circuit – East Coast: This tour starts by the park’s largest dunes near the Santo Amaro Lake, and goes to the large sheet beaches at Parsley and Caruto. With 70 miles of nearly-private beaches, this area has some of the most beautiful lagoons of the park.

Circuit- Coast: Besides taking in the natural beauty of the region, visitors can also meet local communities of the park, such as the residents of the town of Travosa, which is often called Whale Beach. There is an abundance of sand dunes, swamps, lagoons, woods and sandbanks in the region.

Circuit of Cashew/Seagull: If you’re short on time, then this circuit is a great way to see the lagoons of Sierra, Taquiri and Seagull. You’ll also get to see the Maranhenses sheets, which are often featured as a backdrop for malls and movies.

Circuit Communities of the Park: Visit local communities such as Travosa, Green Point, San Francisco and Bethany. In Betânia, you will be able to try the local cuisine of Santo Amaro, fresh cashews and, of course, Murici butiriti, the region's widely used palm.