Brazil has so many undiscovered and delightful locations, listed below are a couple of of them within the state of Maranhao (MA), within the northeast.
I nonetheless have a ton of household in that space, and I miss them dearly. After I was there a couple of years in the past, B.C. (Earlier than Little one) we went on an in a single day eco-tour tour to Lençóis Maranhenses Nationwide Park that left me amazed, replenished and prepared for extra.
Right here is an outline:
It could sound absurd, however there’s truly a desert within the largest tropical rainforest on this planet.
Brazil is happy with the spectacular dune space known as Lencois Maranhenses within the north of the nation. Wanting on the photos, you’ll by no means guess that these lovely shifting sand dunes, with their shimmering blue lagoons, are present in Brazil.
In any case, the nation receives monumental quantities of rainfall annually from the Amazon River and the equator. Nonetheless, the dune panorama extends about 40 meters inland and winds alongside the north coast for about 80 kilometers – a lot of it pure desert.
A Information to Lençóis Maranhenses Nationwide Park
What
Lençóis Maranhenses Nationwide Park – loosely translated to the Maranhenses Bedsheets, referring to the sleek sand dunes! The panorama consists of spectacular dunes that appear like fluttering white sheets stored in movement by the fixed wind. The peak of a few of these sand mountains reaches as much as 40 meters.
However what makes Lençóis Maranhenses really distinctive in comparison with standard deserts are its quite a few crystal-clear lagoons and rivers – as many as 300,000 have been counted to this point.
These waters are characterised by the truth that they’re freshwater lagoons, providing very best situations for swimming.
Throughout the wet season, between January and June, these lagoons type because of heavy rainfall. Throughout this time, quite a lot of wildlife blooms within the space.
Throughout the subsequent dry season between July and December, the lakes regularly dry up and disappear underneath a layer of shifting sand dunes – like magical mattress sheets.
Amazingly, even fish have discovered methods to deal with these inhospitable situations: They lay their eggs within the heat sand in time for a brand new technology to develop within the lagoons in the beginning of the following wet season.
Whereas many of the lagoons dry up utterly through the dry season, the 2 lagoons Lagoa do Peixe and Lagoa Bonita are blessed with a continuing good water degree. This harmonious interaction of dunes, clear water and plush vegetation alongside the seashores completes the image.
In response to the Nationwide Park web site, the park covers 155,000 acres of untouched nature, dunes, lagoons, and 43 miles (70 km) of seaside.
The locals of the Lençóis Maranhenses Pure Park encourage hundreds of holiday makers not solely with their lovely surroundings, but additionally with their heat hospitality. The mixture of spectacular environment and pleasant individuals is solely fascinating.
This extraordinary place is undoubtedly one of many nation’s most fascinating sights.
The place is Lençóis Maranhenses Nationwide Park
Lençóis Maranhenses, the most important Nationwide Park in Northeastern Brazil, stretches about 280 kilometers alongside the coast and reaches as much as 50 kilometers inland.
The park covers the cities of Barreirinhas, Humberto de Campos and Primeira Cruz.
To get to know this piece of paradise, the town of Barreirinhas is the best place to begin. The town is situated about 270 km from the capital São Luís.
We drove for about 4 hours from the capital, Sao Luis, however there are chartered buses, vans, and single/double engine planes that may additionally get you there. The park entrance is 1.2 miles (2 km) from Barreirinhas, throughout the Rio Preguicas, which we crossed by ferry.
When to go to Lençóis Maranhenses Nationwide Park
The park is open year-round, however the pure lagoons are fashioned by rainwater accumulation, and when you go through the dry months, as we did, you might need to stroll longer to seek out the few surviving ponds.
It rains all through the primary half of the yr, from December to June, and the rains normally finish simply earlier than the beginning of the June festivals (begin of the excessive season in Maranhão).
Ideally, go proper after the wet season.
From Could to September, when the lagoons are stuffed with water and the white of the dunes breaks by way of, is the perfect time to go to Lençóis Maranhenses Nationwide Park. Presently, the vegetation is in full bloom and migratory birds are resting.
From October, the lagoons proceed to shrink and lose their spectacular character till January, after they slowly start to refill once more. The months between December and February, through the peak of summer time, are additionally extraordinarily sizzling, so this era is much less really useful.
One other plus is the nice night time temperatures within the park, which fluctuate little all year long. Even on cooler nights, the temperature is normally a continuing 23°C.
In distinction, the Sahara – the most important arid desert on earth – is an ocean of stone, sand and rock. It’s scorching sizzling through the day and bitterly chilly at night time.
What to take
For the tour, convey and put on as little as doable: a lightweight pack with snacks, water and a digicam; put on shorts, t-shirts, sandals, a washing go well with and DEFINITELY a hat, sun shades and biodegradable sunscreen. Biodegradable insect repellent can be good to have.
It’s the desert and there aren’t any shaded areas to cover from the solar.
Good to know
When exploring the Lençóis Maranhenses Nationwide Park, you will need to all the time carry biodegradable sunscreen, a hat and loads of water. There’s a strict ban on unannounced climbing and tenting actions.
The spectacular dune panorama of Lençóis Maranhenses can be dwelling to small scorpions. Though they’re hardly ever seen, you have to be cautious, particularly when digging within the sand. The sting of a scorpion could also be innocent to people, but it surely causes extraordinarily painful reactions.
Final be aware
By no means go to the Lençóis Maranhenses with out a information, whether or not by 4×4, quad bike or boat; these guides are of us who grew up within the space and comprehend it just like the again of their palms. The park is rustic, the character untouched and the dunes go so far as the attention can see. It’s harmful to discover alone!
And clearly, I emphasize the significance of preserving nature. – The Lençóis Maranhenses Nationwide Park is protected by the Brazilian Institute of Setting and Renewable Pure Sources (IBAMA).
Excursions to the Lencois Maranhenses Nationwide Park
Guests to the Lençóis Maranhenses Nationwide Park face a tough resolution. There are a number of excursions to select from, with completely different beginning factors and durations: from a leisurely stroll to a lagoon to a multi-day desert trek with in a single day stays in oases, it’s all there.
What forms of excursions are supplied within the Nationwide Park?
Most guests take day journeys into the park and return to their resorts in Barreirinhas or Atins within the afternoon, relying on which location they select. Barreirinhas is the vacationer middle of the area and gives many lodging in addition to tour operators. Most excursions begin from right here.
Atins, alternatively, is much less busy and tougher to achieve. The day journeys take you by pickup truck over sandy roads to the park’s borders, after which on foot to varied locations contained in the park.
You’ll be taken by pickup truck as shut as doable to the lagoons on the fringe of the nationwide park after which need to stroll the remainder of the way in which over the dunes. Throughout the week it’s normally a lot quieter than on weekends.
The most well-liked excursions from Barreirinhas take you to the freshwater lagoons of Lagoa Azul and Lagoa do Peixe. These journeys will be achieved both within the morning or within the afternoon, however the sundown at Lagoa do Peixe is especially spectacular.
There are additionally excursions to the much less frequented Lagoa Esperança, about an hour’s drive from Barreirinhas. One other lagoon typically visited by tour operators is the enchanting Lagoa Bonita.
For adventurous vacationers preferring an extended trekking tour, there are companies based mostly in Santo Amaro; nonetheless, such desert treks are additionally supplied from Atins.
Apart from the usual excursions by way of the Nationwide Park, some companies additionally supply spectacular panoramic flights over the Rio Preguiças and the dunes.
4 hour Bonita Lagoon circuit and sundown expertise
This half day tour to Lençóis gives an unforgettable sundown expertise.
You’ll be picked up out of your resort in Barreirinhas round 2 pm and drive about an hour to the vacationer middle of Bonita Lagoon.
An enthralling little village awaits us with native retailers, akin to handmade memento retailers and household run snack stands. There’s additionally the well-known stairway to Bonita Lagoon. From the highest of the steps you’ll have a wide ranging view of the great thing about the park!
Then it’s time to discover the lagoons!
Your information will take you thru the realm to 2 or 3 completely different lagoons the place you possibly can swim (about 40 minutes every).
After exploring, you’ll climb the very best dune within the space to benefit from the spectacular sundown over Lençois earlier than heading again to city.
Worth: €30
Length: 4 hours
Free cancelation as much as 24 hours earlier than.
Reserve now and pay later.
It’s so lovely that you just rapidly overlook the hour-long 4×4 drive alongside the sandy monitor. It could possibly get crowded on the high of the dune, however a ten minute stroll and also you’re alone on one other planet.
Full Day – Santo Amaro Lençóis
Expertise a novel full day tour and uncover the hidden treasures of Lençóis Maranhenses. Include us on a journey by way of the paradise of Santo Amaro and discover the perfect sights of the area!
The tour begins at 7:45 a.m. in Barreirinhas, from the place we depart to Santo Amaro. Relying on the placement of your resort, the journey will final till roughly 8:45 am. As soon as in Santo Amaro, we’ll make a brief off-road drive over the beautiful dunes, which can take about 10 to fifteen minutes, earlier than arriving on the first lagoons (Lagoa do Peixe, Lagoa da Andorinha and Lagoa da Gaivota – relying on the season, these lagoons could change).
Round 13:00 we can have a lunch break (meal not included) and chill out a bit earlier than persevering with to the opposite lovely lagoons (this tour lasts all day and consists of stops for spectacular views). After the tour, we’ll return to Barreirinhas, arriving round 19:30.
Worth: €52
Length: 10 hours
Free cancelation as much as 24 hours earlier than.
Reserve now and pay later.
Included within the tour is:
- Switch from Barreirinhas to Santo Amaro (pick-up between 7:30 am – 8:40 am)
- Tour Information
- Stroll within the lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses Nationwide Park
Multiday trek
If you’re adventurous, you must undoubtedly hike by way of the Nationwide Park. The hikes from the small city of Santo Amaro to Atins are particularly thrilling.
Throughout the trek you’ll cross two small oasis settlements the place you possibly can take a break. You’ll spend the night time in hammocks in these charming oases, which have been inhabited by cattle ranchers and fishermen for a lot of generations. It’s as fascinating as it’s spectacular to take part within the life of those individuals.
The primary cease in your journey would be the Queimada dos Britos Oasis. There isn’t any electrical energy right here, solely batteries powered by photo voltaic cells that present vitality for a couple of hours. So go to mattress early or lie in a hammock.
That is essential as a result of the trekking begins at three or 4 o’clock within the morning, so that you’ll arrive on the oases not lengthy after dawn. There you’ll spend the day in consolation and rest.
On the second day you’ll attain the gorgeous Baixa Grande Oasis. Because of the scorching warmth of Lençóis Maranhenses, nobody desires to spend an excessive amount of time underneath the burning solar. Subsequently, you’ll take a while to get to know the native individuals and study extra about their tradition and each day life.
Throughout your keep within the oases, you’ll be in direct contact with the native individuals and study their lifestyle – far-off from any civilization, they reside right here in isolation. They’ll put together scrumptious meals for you, normally consisting of rice, beans, fish or goat meat and salad constructed from home-grown tomatoes.
Crossing the Lençóis Maranhenses, swimming within the many clear lagoons in the course of a sandy panorama and visiting oases are fascinating experiences – distinctive in Brazil.
Between Could and September is the perfect time to swim within the picturesque blue-green lagoons, so when you can, plan your go to throughout this time! Will probably be an unforgettable expertise!
Different really useful excursions within the area
São Luís
If you wish to go to the Lençóis Maranhenses, you possibly can’t miss São Luís.
The capital of Brazil’s “humblest” state will pleasantly shock you with its authenticity. Its skillful mixture of previous and current, in addition to its heat individuals, signify a various Brazil that’s laborious to think about.
The capital of the state of Maranhão is situated on an island and is among the most fascinating coastal cities – maybe as a result of it has not been “found” by many vacationers.
The historic middle of São Luís, a World Heritage Website, is an enchanting neighborhood of smoking cobblestone streets and pastel-colored colonial homes. A few of these homes have been restored, whereas others are in a state of disrepair.
This charming space has a novel ambiance and is dwelling to among the best collections of museums, galleries and craft retailers within the Northeast.
São Luís is dwelling to a formidable assortment of colonial buildings. Some 4,000 buildings protect the imposing architectural influences of the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries in all their glory. The well-preserved previous city with its colonial structure has even been declared a World Heritage Website.
Most well-known are the “azulejos”, Portuguese tiles that defend the facades from the nice and cozy, humid local weather – with out them, regular partitions would rapidly grow to be ugly.
Sadly, the streets will be tough to navigate after darkish.
Come and go to one of the vital genuine historic facilities of Brazil.
Enjoyable Reality São Luís
São Luís, the Reggae capital of Brazil, has created a novel interpretation of this tradition and permits its followers to bounce collectively. It’s actually spectacular to see these {couples} embracing one another whereas sustaining a chic and respectful perspective. It’s undoubtedly price going to one of many fashionable nightclubs the place this dance is practiced!
Alcântara
Alcântara charms instantly and presents itself to the customer as lovely and welcoming. A visit to this metropolis is nicely price it, because it gives a glimpse into the historical past of your entire area.
Though Alcântara shouldn’t be very well-known amongst vacationers, this stopover leaves nobody untouched.
The charming city of Alcântara will take you again to colonial occasions – a real jewel of the period! This small city, frozen in time, impresses vacationers because it tells its extremely tangible story.
Marvel on the magnificent colonial homes and pattern scrumptious coconut cookies. Immerse your self within the native gastronomy whereas watching majestic birds such because the Scarlet Ibis which have made their dwelling within the surrounding mangroves. The intense purple coloration of their plumage makes for an unforgettable, nearly surreal sight as they flutter over the deep inexperienced mangrove waters.
This heritage of days passed by is situated on the opposite aspect of the Baía de São Marcos, reverse São Luis.
Solely 53 km from São Luís by boat or 408 km by land, this architectural ensemble of cobbled streets, church buildings, palaces and colonial stays has been a protected monument since 1948.
This complicated recollects an period of prosperity and splendor of the aristocracy of Maranhão.
Atins
Tucked away within the delta of the Preguiças River lies the idyllic fishing village of Atins, surrounded by in depth shallow water lagoons that emerge at low tide.
Nestled in an limitless sea of sand, surrounded by the Lençóis to the east, the ocean to the north and the estuary to the west, lies this picturesque city. Regardless of these limiting influences, the homes right here nonetheless handle to take root within the skinny sandy soil that precedes the water desk.
Nonetheless, the luxurious vegetation supplies a nice coolness and means that you can absolutely get pleasure from this distinctive place. On this village you’ll have the chance to take part within the “all Brazilian” each day life, an expertise typical of those distant areas.
Due to the fixed wind, Atins could be very widespread with the kitesurfing group, who discover a superb infrastructure right here. Most guests to Atins are enthusiastic kitesurfers.
Along with the unbelievable situations for kitesurfers of all ranges, this place additionally gives all different guests an genuine cultural expertise on its quiet and sandy roads.
Alongside the estuary there are lovely spots with charming picket eating places the place you possibly can chill out with a caipirinha overlooking the water.
On this charming little fishing village you possibly can chill out between the majestic dunes of the park, the estuary of the Rio Preguiças and the Atlantic coast.
Remember to go to the charming sand village of Atins on the “finish of the world” – an insider’s tip within the Lençóis Maranhenses Nationwide Park.
