Travel/Viagens (2)Lençóis Maranhenses:Brazil’s Desert of Water and SandBy Lindenberg Junior18 Soul Brasil Magazine © • Issue 131 • Sep 15 / Oct 2025 • Year 23 • www.soulbrasil.com
Travel/Viagens (20Wmhen Sports Illustratedcelebrated its 50thAnniversary SwimsuitIssue, the magazine dedicated 18dazzling pages to supermodels BregjeHeinen, Natasha Barnard, Valerie VanDer Graaf, and Anne V in one of themost surreal landscapes on Earth:Lençóis Maranhenses NationalPark, in Northeastern Brazil. Themagazine’s crew, enchanted by thescenery, even brought back locallymade hammocks to recreate Brazil’stropical lounging vibe back in theU.S. This photoshoot was in 2014.Since then, the beauty of Lençóishas been discovered by manyinternational travelers.A DESERT THAT ISN’T A DESERTCovering over 600 square miles(1,550 km²) in the state of Maranhão,Lençóis Maranhenses looks like adesert at first glance: rolling sanddunes that stretch endlessly into thehorizon. But unlike true de-serts,this region receives heavy seasonalrains between January and June. Therainwater fills natural valleys betweenthe dunes, creating thousands ofturquoise and emerald-green lagoons- true freshwater oases in the middleof the sand.Some lagoons even holdfish, whose eggs are carried in bymigratory birds and survive in thesand during the dry season. The bestmonths to visit are June through September,when the lagoons are at theirfullest and the contrast of blue waterand white sand is most stunning.HOW TO GET THEREReaching this natural wonderrequires some adventure. Themain gateway is the small town ofBarreirinhas, located about 165miles (270 km) from São Luís,the capital of Maranhão. FromBarreirinhas, visitors need a 4x4vehicle to cross sandy trails - atrip of around three hours beforearriving at the park’s heart. Eventhough it’s of difficult access, thevisit is worth it: the scenery isnoth-ing short of majestic, and thecombination of dunes and lagoonsis unlike anywhere else on theplanet. Once there, don’t miss thechance to take a refreshing swim inthe crystalline lagoons - one of thehigh-lights of the experience.WHERE TO STAY & WHAT TO EATIn the small town of Barreirinhas,you’ll find a good tourisminfrastructure, including cozypousadas, boutique inns, and evena resort. Local restaurants serveauthentic Maranhão cuisine, suchas fresh-caught fish grilled over coals,seafood stews, and tropical fruits.For travelers who want a quieter,off-the-beaten-path experience, thecommunities of Atins and SantoAmaro offer rustic charm, eco-lodges,and opportunities for kitesurfing andeco-tourism - perfect for those whowant to enjoy Lençóis Maranhensesat a slower pace.WHY VISIT LENÇÓIS MARANHENSESIN 2025 AND BEYOND?• Eco-tourism hotspot: Increasinglypopular with international travelersseeking nature beyond the obvious Rioand Amazon.• Bucket-list landscape: Unique inthe world — nowhere else combinesdesert-like dunes with rain-fed lagoonson this scale.• Adventure + relaxation: Ideal for bothoutdoor enthusiasts and those looking fortranquil hammocks by the water.* For airline tickets from the U.S to Brazil or LatinAmerica, customized travel packages, and hotelsplease visit www.soulbrasil.com/travel-with-usor contact our travel specialist Magali DaSilva viawhatapp at (323)428-1963Soul Brasil Magazine © • Issue 131 • Sep 15 / Oct 2025 • Year 23 • www.soulbrasil.com 19
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