National park · Brazil
Lençóis Maranhenses National ParkParque Nacional Lençóis Maranhenses
Enter Lençóis Maranhenses for a day: pay the entry fee (R$30‑R$40 per adult) and take the Atins‑Santo Amaro trek in the dry season (May‑Sep) for 4‑6 h; avoid the rainy months when dunes are hard to walk.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,550 km² (598 sq mi)598 sq mi (1,550 km²)
approximate
Established
1981
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Brazil ↗US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa (about US$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
At a glance
- Country
- Brazil
- Area
- 1,550 km² (598 sq mi)598 sq mi (1,550 km²)
- Area reported as 1,550 km²; some sources list 1,500 km² – check official site for exact current figure.
- Established
- 1981
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- São Luís
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park protects vast coastal dunes and seasonal lagoons in Maranhão, Brazil. The landscape shifts with the rains, creating blue‑green lakes between white sand dunes, while the surrounding oases host rich birdlife, reptiles and endangered mammals. Visitors typically access the park from Barreirinhas or Atins, where 4×4 tours and guided treks cross the dunes to iconic lagoons such as Lagoa Bonita and Lagoa Azul.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2001Natural UNESCO site.
Size and age
1,550 km² (598 sq mi)598 sq mi (1,550 km²) · national park since 1981
Area reported as 1,550 km²; some sources list 1,500 km² – check official site for exact current figure.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: São Luís.
Why go
- Expansive sand dunes with seasonal lagoons.
- Rich birdlife and rare reptiles.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanDry but dunes hard, cold nights.
- FebCold, occasional rain.
- MarEarly rains start.
- AprRain builds lakes.
- MayLakes fill, moderate heat.
- JunPeak lagoon season.
- JulFull lagoons, warm.
- AugLagoons still full.
- SepLagoons recede, cooler.
- OctLagoons dry, heat rises.
- NovVery hot, dunes hard.
- DecHot, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 120 bird species, including scarlet ibisAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Reptiles (≈ 40 species)Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Neotropical otter, oncilla, West Indian manateeAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Barreirinhas oasis | Main visitor hub, gate, lodging, and Lagoa Bonita/Azul day trips. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Atins oasis | Alternative base, access to Atins‑Santo Amaro trek. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Santo Amaro rim | Western edge, trailhead for long trek. | Open, guide recommended. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate for main gate and key points.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | BRL 30–40 (≈ US$6–8) | person | Includes access to main trails. |
| Guided trek (Atins‑Santo Amaro) | BRL 200–350 (≈ US$40–65) | person | Typical price for a 4‑6 h guide. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided trek no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- R$30–40≈ US$6–8
- R$200–350≈ US$40–65
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Parque Lençóis Official Site before you go.
Park rules
- Motor vehicles
- Not allowed inside the park; only 4×4 for guided access.
- Camping
- Allowed but pack out all waste.
- Guides
- Strongly recommended for long treks; not mandatory.
Where to stay
Near the park
Barreirinhas town
Guesthouses, pousadas, basic amenities.
Near the park
Atins village
Local homestays, closer to dunes.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Getting lost on dunes high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area reachable by car; short walks to trailheads.
- Long dune treks are uneven and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all litter; avoid single‑use plastics.
- Choose locally‑run guides and homestays.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lençóis Maranhenses?
R$30‑R$40 per adult for park entry; guided treks cost extra (≈ R$200‑R$350).
What are the best hikes in Lençóis Maranhenses?
The Atins‑Santo Amaro east‑to‑west trek (4‑6 h) and day trips to Lagoa Bonita or Lagoa Azul from Barreirinhas.
When is the best time to visit Lençóis Maranhenses?
May to September, when seasonal lagoons are full and temperatures are moderate.
Do I need a guide?
Not mandatory for short day trips, but strongly recommended for the long dune trek.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is allowed; bring all supplies and pack out all waste.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
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