Lençoins Maranhenses is a wonderfully unique national park in the North of Brazil. It is a desert, dune area where during the rainy season bright blue/green lagoons form within the dunes. There is lots to do here and to make it easy for you I have made a list with stuff that is practical for you to bring if you come.
Between May- September is the best time to go and year round the temperature is around 30°C or 86 °F during the day, at night it’s a bit cooler.
Packing list for your trip to Lençoins Maranhenses
What you need is of course depending on what you are going to do in the area. Lençoins Maranhenses is well known for the lagoons so definitely bring your swimwear, flip flops and a quick dry towel. Don’t forget to bring a dry bag for your wet clothes. Bring your summer clothes because it is going to be hot! I always bring a handheld fan or an electric one. Sunscreen and/or UV protecting clothes are important especially for those of us who can get easily burned. I never travel without a sun hat or baseball cap. My favorite has the possibility to wear my hair up. (See favorites here for more details.) You will probably walk a lot in the sand and it can be quite hot so I was happy to have brought my sneakers and my flip flops.
If you don’t like the feeling of fishing around your toes you could bring your water shoes with you.
There are not a lot of mosquitos but if you are the person who gets bitten easily, bring your insect repellent just in case. In case you have been bitten by mosquitoes I use my clicker to release some of the itching. See down below for more information.
If you are going to do a horseback riding tour it is best not to wear short shorts. It can be quite uncomfortable if your bare skin rubs against the coarse hairs of the horse.
Don’t forget to bring snacks and lots of water (preferably a refillable water bottle of course) while you are doing a tour. Usually they are not included in the tour.
And lastly bring your (waterproof) camera or phone to take pictures of this amazing place. If you are planning to take it in the lakes, bring your protective camera case or use a cell phone protector.
Lençoins Maranhenses was one of the most spectacular places I visited in Brazil and I hope that you will have a chance to go too!
Is this area accessible for wheelchair users?
National park*
No, sorry to break it to you but it is very hard to move around here. Even if you are able to walk just a little bit the roads are super bumpy. If you are able to walk a bit you might be able to do a 4×4 tour with a jeep but as I just mentioned, it is a hard drive. The pleasure flight could also be an option. It is super nice.
Café’s and restaurants
Bad, unfortunately it is very sandy and so the people are not well prepared for people who are disabled. Lots of restaurants have stairs or high steps going inside. Restaurants with a terrace are your best option here.
Public transport
Bad, but you can always use taxis here.
Toilets
Bad, the people are not well prepared for people who are disabled and there are almost no bathrooms for people in a wheelchair here.
*And other attractions
Items I love while traveling
Dry bags
These bags I use all the time for different things. I do my laundry in them, use them as a hamper or bring them with me to the swimming pool or beach. Easy to clean and multiple ways to use them.
Collapsible handheld fan
I don’t know about how you deal with heat but I need a bit of cooling down when I’m traveling. This easy (and cute) fan is my go to for when I am too hot. It can be charged with usb which is super practical.
Quick dry towel
Even when I go to a hotel I love to bring my microfiber towels. I use them for my hair, for when I go to a beach or swimming pool and I use them to get even more water out of my clothes after laundry.