Lençóis Maranhenses National Park feels like a place from another world. Picture endless white sand, rolling dunes that look like soft blankets, and bright blue lagoons that appear only during certain months of the year. When people see photos of it for the first time, they often think it is fake or edited, but it is completely real and even more breathtaking in person.
Located in the state of Maranhão in the northern part of Brazil, this national park is one of the most magical places you can visit. There are no roads inside the dunes, no cities, no noise, and no pollution. It is pure, untouched nature, and exploring it feels like stepping into a peaceful dream.
This guide takes you through the five best places and experiences inside the park. Each one offers its own incredible views, unique adventures, and chances to meet local families who have lived in the area long before it became a protected landscape. Whether you love nature, photography, culture, or simply beautiful places, Lençóis Maranhenses is a destination you will remember forever.
1. Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita
Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita
Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Bonita are two of the most famous spots in Lençóis Maranhenses for a reason. These lagoons fill with rainwater during the wet season, and when the sun rises or sets, the light reflects against the water to create brilliant shades of blue, green, and aqua. Imagine swimming in a warm, natural pool that is completely clear and surrounded by nothing but soft sand as far as you can see.
What makes this area special
Both lagoons are easy to reach compared to other parts of the park. From the town of Barreirinhas, you take a jeep that crosses small rivers and sandy paths. When you arrive, you walk up the dunes and suddenly the view opens up in front of you. It does not matter how many photos you have seen online because the real view is so much bigger and brighter.
What you can do here
You can walk from lagoon to lagoon, float in the warm water, sit on the sand and watch the sun change the colors, or simply enjoy the quiet. Many tours bring you here in the late afternoon so you can stay until sunset. The golden light on the white dunes looks like something from a movie.
Why travelers love it
It is peaceful, easy to enjoy, perfect for photos, and a great introduction to the park. If it is your first time in Lençóis Maranhenses, this is the best place to start.
2. Lagoa da Esperança
Lagoa da Esperança
Lagoa da Esperança is one of the largest lagoons in the park and stays full for most of the year. Even when other lagoons dry up during the dry season, this one usually remains because it connects to a river. This makes it a great place to visit if you come outside the peak rainy months.
Why it feels unique
Many lagoons are small and round, but Lagoa da Esperança is long and almost river like. The water is calm and warm, perfect for swimming or relaxing. Since it is less crowded than the main lagoons, the atmosphere feels quieter and more personal. You might even have the entire lagoon to yourself for a little while.
What you can do here
The lagoon is perfect for swimming, relaxing, and enjoying nature without any rush. Some tours include small cultural stops in nearby communities, where families share stories about living next to the dunes for generations. If you love peaceful places and gentle water, this lagoon gives you the perfect calm moment.
Why travelers love it
It is beautiful, relaxing, and ideal for people who want a quieter experience away from crowds. It also works great during times when the smaller lagoons are drying up.
3. Atins Village and the Atins Dunes
Atins Village
Atins is a tiny coastal village on the edge of the national park. The streets are made of sand, the houses are colorful and simple, and the vibe is calm and welcoming. It is the type of place where people walk barefoot, children play outside, and visitors instantly feel at home.
Why it is special
Atins gives you the perfect mix of peaceful village life and easy access to the dunes. From here, the sand meets the ocean and the sunsets glow in warm shades of orange and gold. Many people say Atins is the most charming gateway into the national park.
What you can do in Atins
Explore the village, drink fresh juice from small family owned spots, visit local restaurants that serve delicious seafood, meet artisans who make crafts from natural materials, and enjoy the slow rhythm of daily life. You can also walk straight into the nearby dunes to explore the lagoons that appear in this area. The dunes here feel more remote and less visited than the ones near Barreirinhas, which gives them a peaceful atmosphere.
Kitesurfing in Atins
Atins is also one of the best kitesurfing destinations in Brazil. The wind is strong and steady, and the water is shallow and safe. Even if you do not kite, watching the colorful kites dance over the ocean is an amazing sight.
Why travelers love it
Atins feels like a real adventure but still friendly and comfortable. Many people end up staying longer than planned because it feels so relaxing and beautiful.
4. The Canto do Atins Region
Canto do Atins Region
Canto do Atins is a remote part of the national park located past the village of Atins. It is more isolated, more natural, and often completely empty except for a few small houses and restaurants run by local families. Reaching this area usually involves a jeep ride through wide open dunes, which is exciting and scenic at the same time.
Why it is special
The dunes here feel wild and untouched. They stretch endlessly in every direction, and many of the lagoons are only accessible by guided tours. Because fewer people visit, the water stays clear and calm. It is the perfect place to feel connected to nature and forget about everything else.
What you can do here
Tour guides take you to the most beautiful lagoons in the area, where you can swim, relax on the sand, and explore at your own pace. Lagoons like Lagoa Tropical, Lagoa da Capivara, and Lagoa do Mário often appear in this region. Their colors range from deep blue to bright turquoise depending on the time of day and the sunlight.
Local food experience
Canto do Atins is famous for its small family restaurants that serve grilled shrimp, fish, and rice dishes cooked with recipes that have been passed down for decades. Eating lunch here after a long morning in the dunes tastes even better because everything feels so authentic and homemade.
Why travelers love it
This part of the park feels wild and untouched. The dunes are huge, the lagoons are bright, and the whole area feels like a natural treasure.
5. Lagoa dos Peixes and the Far Dunes
Lagoa dos Peixes
Lagoa dos Peixes sits deeper inside the national park and requires a longer ride to reach. Because it is more remote, the experience feels more adventurous and peaceful. It is one of the largest lagoons in the park during the rainy season and offers warm, clear water perfect for relaxing swims.
What makes it special
The dunes surrounding this lagoon are tall and wide, creating amazing views. When you climb one of the higher dunes and look down at the lagoon, the view looks like a painting. The lagoon’s water is calm and deep blue in some areas and lighter in others. You can spend hours swimming, exploring, or just lying on the sand watching the sky.
What you can do here
You can swim, walk the dunes, take photos, enjoy the silence, and watch the reflections on the water. Many tours bring snacks so you can enjoy a picnic with one of the best views in the entire national park. In the late afternoon, the sunlight turns everything warm and golden.
Why travelers love it
It feels remote, quiet, and full of natural beauty. It is perfect for visitors who want to explore deeper parts of Lençóis Maranhenses and see places not everyone reaches.
Why Lençóis Maranhenses Is One of the Most Magical Places in Brazil
Lençóis Maranhenses is not just a beautiful place. It is a place that makes you feel something. The combination of soft white dunes and bright blue lagoons is unlike any other landscape in the world. The silence is peaceful, the air feels clean, and everything looks soft and glowing.
This national park is perfect for anyone who loves nature, photography, culture, and simple, quiet beauty. It is the type of destination where time slows down and you feel connected to the world in a different way.