Exploring the Otherworldly Beauty of Lençóis Maranhenses

Earlier this summer, I traveled to northeastern Brazil and discovered a place like no other. A four-hour bus journey took me from São Luis, a tropical city, to Barreirinhas, a quaint fishing town. From there, a bumpy ride in a 4×4 vehicle brought me to the stunning white sand dunes of the National Park of Lençóis Maranhenses.

This remarkable landscape spans hundreds of thousands of acres and features sand bordered by thick jungle on one side and the vast Atlantic Ocean on the other. The park’s name, ‘Lençóis,’ comes from the Portuguese word for ‘bedsheets,’ as the dunes resemble sheets from above.

Climbing the dunes was challenging for someone unaccustomed to the powder-fine sand, which made each step sink deeper. However, the effort was worth it for the breathtaking views that seemed straight out of a sci-fi film.

In July, over 35,000 lagoons filled with freshwater following the rainy season. These pristine pools offered the perfect respite after a tiring day of exploring the dunes. The scene resembled a vast white desert punctuated by glittering blue pools, creating an otherworldly experience.

Though it may appear to be a desert, the park is quite the opposite. It lies near the Amazon rainforest and receives about 50 inches of rain annually, more than twice the rainfall in London. This made the distance from my hometown feel immense while standing atop a sand dune in this surreal landscape.