Lençóis Maranhenses

Lençóis Maranhenses is not a desert: it is a field of white sand dunes that the rains refill, every year, with thousands of freshwater lagoons. That cycle sets the calendar — the rains fall in the first half of the year and the lagoons are usually full between June and September.

The region is visited from three bases. Barreirinhas is the most developed, with agencies, guesthouses and departures for Lagoa Azul and the trip down the Preguiças river. Santo Amaro do Maranhão sits on the far side of the park, closer to the Betânia, Reflexo and Andorinhas lagoons. Atins is a sand-street village between the river and the dunes, chosen by travellers who want to stay longer.

On Vivai, trips in this region are run by local guides and agencies.