Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Delta do Parnaíba & Parque
Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses
4
The Delta do Parnaíba stretches roughly from the Piauí
border some 56 miles (90 km) farther up the coast in
Maranhão, where the Rio Parnaíba runs into the sea.
Shaped like a hand, the river breaks into five fingers,
meandering through some 83 islands. Small villages
thrive on sea salt, cashews, and crabs. Tourism is still in
its infancy. Straddling Piauí and Maranhão, the Parque
Nacional Lençóis Maranhenses offers over 600 sq miles
(1,555 sq km) of spectacular white sand dunes created
by strong coastal winds. From May to August, rain
collects in the basins between dunes, forming countless
crystal-clear freshwater lagoons. In June, when the
water levels are at their highest, the Lençóis dunes
look like an array of white stripes, interspersed with
sparkling ribbons of blue, turquoise, and green.
.
Queimada dos Britos
Deep inside the park is an
oasis, surrounded by sand
dunes. It can be visited by
4WD from Sucuruju.
-BHPB
5SBWPTB
-BHPBEF
4BOUP"NBSP
2VFJNBEB
EPT#SJUPT
.
Scarlet Ibis
Born gray, these birds obtain their
distinct red color from eating tiny
crustaceans found in tide flats in
the estuary of the Rio Preguiças.
4BOUP"NBSP
EP.BSBOIÍP
1SPWPBEPEF
4VDVSVKV
13*.&*3"
$36;
Lagoa de Santo Amaro
This beautiful clear-water lake
near the tiny village of Santa
Amaro do Maranhão sits
isolated amid sand dunes.
KEY
Domestic airport
Major road
Minor road
Trail
Park boundary
STAR SIGHTS
.
Queimada dos Britos
. Scarlet Ibis
.
Lençóis
On foot, visitors can only access a small portion of the park.
To appreciate the size and scale of the dunes, it is worth
taking a sightseeing flight from São Luís. The views of the
large dunes and lagoons are breathtaking.
. Lençóis
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p381 and pp406-407
