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Lençóis Maranhenses: An amazing desert full of water
Invariably, Lençóis is always depicted using overhead shots that show a succession of lakes and dunes that seem to stretch on infinitely. But anyone who goes to the region soon sees for themselves that the photos only give a glimpse of the parks magnitude. ‘Otherworldly’, that’s how Mexican archeologist Geraldine Cornejo described the surroundings after taking a half hour flight across the park. ‘If on foot we were blown away by the lakes, just imagine up above, where you can see thousands of them creating an endlessly beautiful landscape’, she explains.
The region’s rivers, like the Preguiças and the ParnaÃba, accumulate a vast amount of sand and when they finally flow into the sea, they deposit this build-up on the coastline. When the tide goes in, this sand is exposed to the sun. Thanks to the strong winds, the sand is blown up to 50km inwards, forming dunes that reach up to 20m high. The rain which is concentrated during the first half of the year ends up forming innumerous pockets of water, which grow and connect to the rivers. You’ll even find fish swimming in them. This peculiar natural cycle is responsible for the spectacular ecosystem that stretches out over 155 hectares.
To get an initial taste of Lençóis I opted for a jeep ride across the desert to visit some lakes. After riding up and down the dunes, we park the vehicle and the group followed the guide towards the Lagoa Azul. We seemed insignificant faced with the vast, curving whiteness. Then suddenly, like an oasis, a lake of crystalline water appeared out of nowhere. Lagoa Esperança is another obligatory stop-off. Incomparably beautiful, it’s even around during the annual drought.
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