Published on January 17, 2013 · Updated on November 2, 2026

Home » Maranhão Travel Guide » Lençóis Maranhenses map: lagoons, access and best time

The dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park look like giant white bedsheets spread out in the wind. Between them, during the rainy season, thousands of blue and green freshwater lagoons appear. For this reason, since 2024 the park has been a Unesco Natural World Heritage Site.

Map of the Lençóis Maranhenses and location

First of all, the park lies on the eastern coast of Maranhão, between São Luís and the delta do Parnaíba, in Piauí. It covers parts of Barreirinhas, Santo Amaro do Maranhão and Primeira Cruz. In addition, Paulino Neves, Tutóia and Humberto de Campos are also in the region.

The dunes are divided into two parts: the Grandes Lençóis, west of the Preguiças River, inside the park, and the Pequenos Lençóis, to the east, outside it. The map below, then, shows the park and the gateway towns.

Area and landscape of the park

Created in 1981, the park covers about 156,000 hectares of dunes, rivers, lagoons and mangroves. On the coast, for example, there are about 70 to 80 km of wide, long beaches. Inland, meanwhile, the dunes stretch for dozens of kilometers and reach about 40 meters in height.

Moreover, the landscape changes with the time of year. In the dry season, the park looks like a desert by the sea. With the rains, however, the classic landscape appears: an endless sequence of dunes and lagoons.

In fact, it is the wind that shapes the dunes all the time. So, anyone who sees them from above feels as if they are looking at bedsheets swaying under the sun.

Attractions of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park

1. Barreirinhas
2. Santo Amaro do Maranhão
3. Pequenos Lençóis
4. Caburé
5. Preguiças River tour
6. Lagoons
7. Scenic flight over the park
8. Atins
9. Queimada dos Britos

1. Barreirinhas

Barreirinhas - Lençóis Maranhenses

Barreirinhas is the town with the most infrastructure in the Lençóis Maranhenses, about 260 km from São Luís. It is the main gateway to the park and, in addition, lies on the Rota das Emoções (Route of Emotions), which links Maranhão to the delta do Parnaíba, in Piauí, and to Jericoacoara, in Ceará.

On the banks of the Preguiças River, the town was for a long time a trading post for fishermen and farmers. Today, with 65,589 inhabitants (IBGE, 2022 Census), it lives mainly from tourism, with hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and agencies. There is also an ICMBio office there, which manages the park.

Tours and access to Barreirinhas

To explore the dunes, you need to hire licensed guides or agencies, which run the tours in 4×4 vehicles. The Tourism Office, at the entrance to the town, also provides information.

From São Luís, access is via the MA-402, the Translitorânea, a drive of about 260 km. In general, the trip takes three to four hours. See more in the guide on getting to the park.

2. Santo Amaro do Maranhão

With 13,949 inhabitants (IBGE, 2022 Census), Santo Amaro do Maranhão lies on the banks of the Alegre River and is an alternative gateway to the park. In fact, after Barreirinhas, it is the most popular town. The film Casa de Areia, by Andrucha Waddington, released in 2005, was shot there.

Santo Amaro do Maranhão

However, the town is still less busy. After all, access is more difficult: part of the road is sand and, in the rainy season, it requires a 4×4. On the other hand, the dunes and lagoons reach almost to the town.

Among the activities are hikes and jeep tours to lagoons such as Lagoa da Gaivota, river swims and sandboarding on the dunes. Finally, the town’s name honors Santo Amaro, whose feast day is January 15.

3. Pequenos Lençóis

The Pequenos Lençóis are dunes east of the Preguiças River, outside the national park. Even so, they also have beautiful scenery and freshwater lagoons for swimming.

Along the way, for example, you can see mangroves, beaches and dense vegetation in the middle of the sand. To visit them, take the speedboat tour on the Preguiças River, with stops at Vassouras, Mandacaru and Caburé. There are also quad bike tours between the dunes and the beach.

4. Caburé

Caburé is a fishing village and beach in Barreirinhas, on a strip of sand between the Preguiças River and the sea. That is why it is a common stop on river tours, especially for lunch.

Caburé é um vilarejo de pescadores no Maranhão

In fact, one of the most curious sensations is to come out of a swim in the sea, walk less than five minutes and rinse the salt off in a river.

5. Preguiças River tour

The Preguiças River tour is done by speedboat or by voadeira, a fast motorboat with an outboard engine. The first stop is usually at Vassouras, with dunes of about 40 meters, after some 45 minutes on the water. There, for example, you can swim in the river or walk along the beach of the Pequenos Lençóis.

Then the boat passes Espadarte, Morro do Boi and Moitas until it reaches Mandacaru, home to the Farol Preguiças lighthouse, with about 160 steps. It is worth the climb, because from the top you get one of the most beautiful views in the region. Finally, the lunch stop is in Caburé, near the river mouth.

6. Lagoons

The most famous tour leaves Barreirinhas by 4×4 jeep. First, you cross the Preguiças River by ferry; then the vehicle follows a winding road, between lakes and igarapés (small creeks), with flooded stretches.

After about 40 minutes, you reach the point where the trail continues on foot. Soon after, then, you come to Lagoa da Preguiça, with turquoise water, and Lagoa Azul, one of the most visited. For those who want more peace and quiet, Lagoa do Peixe, with dark water, is a little farther on and usually dries out less.

The famous Lagoa Bonita, on the other hand, surrounded by dunes up to 40 meters high, is on a different circuit. To get there, you take another winding road for about an hour.

7. Scenic flight over the park

The scenic flight, usually about 30 minutes long, leaves Barreirinhas and goes as far as the mouth of the Preguiças River, in Atins. As a result, the aerial view of the dunes and lagoons is unforgettable.

8. Atins

In the village of Atins, the Preguiças River meets the sea. In fact, this is where the beach of the Grandes Lençóis begins, running for dozens of kilometers to Travosa, at the other end of the park.

Once a small fishing village, Atins now welcomes many visitors, especially kitesurfers. Even so, it still has sandy streets and a relaxed atmosphere, between the river, the sea and the dunes of the park.

Near the village, for example, are lagoons such as lagoa do Mário and Canto do Atins, where dona Luzia’s beach shack became famous for its shrimp.

9. Queimada dos Britos

Queimada dos Britos is a small settlement inside the park, surrounded by dunes and lagoons, where the residents raise goats.

It is a green area in the middle of the sand, like an oasis, with simple thatched houses. You usually get there after about two hours by jeep or on a hike of several hours across the sand. Nearby, there is also Baixa Grande, another green area, beside the Negro River and Lagoa da Esperança.

Best time to visit the Lençóis Maranhenses

The rains usually fall between January and June. Therefore, the lagoons are fullest from June to September, the best time to visit. In fact, July and August are usually the busiest months.

From October to December, however, the lagoons drop and many dry out. Even so, the dunes remain impressive. For more details, see the guide on when to go to the Lençóis Maranhenses.

Frequently asked questions about Lençóis Maranhenses National Park

Where is the park on the map of the Lençóis Maranhenses?

On the eastern coast of Maranhão, between São Luís and the delta do Parnaíba, about 260 km from the state capital.

The main gateways, moreover, are Barreirinhas, Santo Amaro and Atins.

What is the best time to visit the Lençóis Maranhenses?

From June to September, when the lagoons are full.

From October to December, however, many lagoons dry out.

How big is Lençóis Maranhenses National Park?

About 156,000 hectares, with 70 to 80 km of beaches.

In addition, since 2024 it has been a Natural World Heritage Site.

What is the best town to stay in?

Barreirinhas, which has the most infrastructure; for more peace and quiet, Atins or Santo Amaro.

In general, the tours leave from these three towns.

Do you need a guide to visit the Lençóis Maranhenses?

Yes. The lagoon tours are run with licensed guides and agencies, in 4×4 vehicles.

So, book your tours in Barreirinhas, Santo Amaro or Atins.