A LUXURY VACATION TO LENÇÓIS MARANHENSES
In Brazil’s wild northeast lies Lençóis Maranhenses, a surreal landscape of rolling dunes and rainwater lagoons that appear and vanish with the seasons.
A few hours’ drive from São Luís, Brazil, this unique ecosystem is at its most spectacular between June and September, when the rains have passed, leaving thousands of freshwater turquoise pools scattered amid the desert-white sands.
The towns of Santo Amaro and Atins serve as gateways into this wilderness. From here, travellers can swim in secluded lagoons, watch the dunes shift colour at sunset, and discover a region where local fishing communities still maintain their traditional ways of life.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN LENÇOIS MARANHENSES
This is a desert that comes alive with water, and we know how to reveal it at its most extraordinary.
Cross the dunes on foot, quad or buggy, pausing to cool off in quiet lagoons along the way. We can arrange surprise picnics or barbecues among the sands, timed for when the light is at its most dramatic.
For the adventurous, we can organise a two-day trek between Atins and Santo Amaro – a 27km crossing of untouched dunes and pools, with a night spent under a blanket of stars, far from any village.
Our connections in Lençois Maranhenses open up further possibilities – kite surfing along the coast, fishing expeditions with local villagers, helicopter flights for a birds’ eye view of the dunes. Wherever you stay, we’ll pair you with the best guides to bring this otherworldly landscape to life.
ELSEWHERE IN BRAZIL
Discover more of our favourite places in Brazil, from jaguar encounters in the Pantanal to the colourful streets of Rio.
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Conde Nast Traveler Specialists every year since 2017
