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National Park : Lencois Maranhenses in Maranhao (Brazil)
   

What is it ?

Astonishing white wind stricken dunes scattered with blue ponds.
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Lençóis Maranhenses

Best described as a desert with scattered fresh water ponds, and possibly one of the most beautiful sights in Brazil. This region is now the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, which was established in 1981 aiming to protect and study this ecological system. It is now starting to be a tourist attraction.

Not withstanding its desert-like appearance, Lencois Maranhenses records an annual rainfall of 1600mm (i.e. 62.9 inches). All that water comes down during the well-marked rainy season, from January to June.


photobook National Park : Lencois Maranhenses in Maranhao (Brazil)
Click for photobook
From July to December, in the dry period, dozens of ponds drain completely or partially. Lagoa Bonita is one of the few that have water year around. After the dry period when the rain starts falling fishes, crustaceans and turtles reappear as if they had never left the place. For a visit, the best time of the year is from May to October, when the natural pools are still filled with water. The dunes, which sometimes reach up to 20mts or 65 feet, consist of very white sand which is in permanent change by the wind .
photobook National Park : Lencois Maranhenses in Maranhao (Brazil)
Click for photobook
 		How to get here

Base town for a trip to the park is Sao Luis which has an airport (245 km to Barreirinhas). There are mini buses to Barreirinhas which is very near to the park, and already has a huge dune in the middle of town. You can also take a small airplane (1-motor) from São Luis or take a private taxi. From Barreirinhas you can take a boat to Cabure ( two nice lodges) from where there are possibilities to see the park from another side. And nice deserted beaches. Barreirinhas itself also offers pousadas, hotels and resorts.

WWT stayed in Resort Porto Preguicas in Barreirinhas.
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Photobook
Crossing the river Preguiças� - Lencois Maranhenses Dunes in the dry season, many lakes are dry� - Lencois Maranhenses The lines of the dunes are always moving with the wind� - Lencois Maranhenses Lagoa Bonita has water all year around� - Lencois Maranhenses Sand, water and sky, as far the eye reaches� - Lencois Maranhenses Lagoa Bonita� - Lencois Maranhenses With the 1st rain directly the plants start to flourish� - Lencois Maranhenses
When te sun gets low, the large and small sandwaves become clearer� - Lencois Maranhenses The wind- and the lee side� - Lencois Maranhenses The yellow sand of Pequena Lençóis (east od Rio Preguiças)� - Lencois Maranhenses The yellow sand of Pequena Lençóis (east od Rio Preguiças)� - Lencois Maranhenses Rio Preguiças� - Lencois Maranhenses South American Stilt� - Lencois Maranhenses Preguiças lighthouse (Farol) in Madacaru� - Lencois Maranhenses
View over Mandacaru� - Lencois Maranhenses Fishermens village Carburé� - Lencois Maranhenses Atlantic beach at Carburé� - Lencois Maranhenses Fishermen at Carburé� - Lencois Maranhenses Lençóis Maranhenses see from the air� - Lencois Maranhenses The continous fight between the sand and the trees� - Lencois Maranhenses  


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Park map

See also download files for more info


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GPS Download files

 link description
Leaflet and map about Lencois Maranhenses
GPS route from airport Sao Luis to Barreirinhas
GPS route of boattrip Rio Pesguiças
GPS route from airport to historic center Sao Luiz
GPS registration of the flight from Barrerinhas - Sao Luis
GPS trackmaker (GTM) best tool for using GPS files (freeware)
EasyGPS softwaretool for using waypoints (freeware)
Question and Answers for using the GPSfiles

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Related Links

linkLanguagedescription
PortugueseFurther information on hotels and travels
English/PortugueseFor booking trips, hotels etc
PortugueseOrganizing tours in the area
EnglishMapquest route planning to starting point of Lencois Maranhenses
EnglishGoogle satelite maps from starting point of Lencois Maranhenses