PARQUE NACIONAL DOS LENÇÓIS MARANHENSES

Santo Amaro do Maranhão, Maranhão

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Description

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is a Federal Conservation Unit of Integral Protection located on the eastern coast of Maranhão, encompassing areas of the municipalities of Barreirinhas, Santo Amaro do Maranhão, and Primeira Cruz. Established by Decree No. 86,060 on June 2, 1981, it currently covers 156,608.16 hectares and is managed by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation – ICMBio. Considered one of the most unique natural landscapes in Brazil, the park is characterized by an extensive field of white sand dunes interspersed with thousands of freshwater lagoons, formed mainly by the accumulation of rainwater. The unit also protects restinga, mangroves, rivers, coastal areas, and different plant formations, constituting an important ecological transition region. Officially included in the Coastal Marine Biome, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park exhibits influences from the Cerrado, Caatinga, and Amazon biomes, a condition that contributes to its diversity of environments, species, and landscapes. In addition to its importance for biodiversity conservation and coastal ecosystems, the park has exceptional landscape, geological, and tourist value. In 2024, Lençóis Maranhenses was recognized by UNESCO as a Natural Heritage of Humanity, reinforcing its relevance for the conservation of natural heritage on a global scale. Visitation is allowed year-round, with opportunities for hiking on the dunes, swimming in the lagoons, trekking, crossings, landscape contemplation, photography, nature observation, and adventure tourism. The main access points are Barreirinhas and Santo Amaro, with additional access related to Primeira Cruz and Humberto de Campos. As it is a Conservation Unit of Integral Protection, visitors must respect the rules established by ICMBio, preserve natural environments, not leave waste, and use regulated tourist services when required. Access to the National Park does not have an entrance fee charged by ICMBio, although operators and agencies may charge for the tourist services offered.