Exploring the Unique Sand Dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses

Earlier this summer, Fatima Al-Kassab took a journey to northeastern Brazil, visiting an extraordinary place unlike any other. Her trip began with a four-hour bus ride from São Luis, a tropical city, to Barreirinhas, a relaxed fishing town. From there, she embarked on a challenging 4×4 ride to reach the immaculate white sand dunes of the National Park of Lençóis Maranhenses.

The park, renowned for its vast expanses of sand stretching over hundreds of thousands of acres, is flanked by dense jungle on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. The name “Lençóis” comes from Portuguese, meaning “bedsheets,” describing how the dunes resemble billowing sheets when seen from above.

Climbing these dunes was a demanding task as her feet sank deeply into the fine sand with every step. Yet, the effort was rewarded with breathtaking views reminiscent of a sci-fi film. During her visit in July, more than 35,000 lagoons, filled with freshwater after the rainy season, dotted the expanse of dunes. Taking a dip in these pristine pools provided much-needed relief after a day of trekking the dunes.

The landscape, appearing as a vast white desert interspersed with shimmering blue pools, felt like an entirely different world. Despite appearances, this region is no desert. Situated near the Amazon rainforest, it receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually, which is more than double the rainfall in London, Fatima’s hometown. Standing atop a sand dune in the surreal Lençóis Maranhenses made that distant city feel even farther away.