LBRAZIL의 독특하고 신비로운 ENCOIS MARANENSIS 사막

THE MOST UNUSUAL DESERT: LENCOIS MARANENSIS IN BRAZIL

Getting to know Brazil often begins with the beaches of Rio de Janeiro or the stone jungle of Sao Paulo. 

However, the birthplace of Pele and the main manufacturer of arabica is not by chance famous for its natural beauties. 

And it's not just about the mysterious waters of the Amazon, the overthrown Iguazu waterfalls or the blooming Pantanale. 

The authors of Telegram channel Out of Office offer to pay attention to another Brazilian pearl

 - the national park Lencois Maranensis.

This unique natural phenomenon is so far from reality that it is easy to take for a mirage. 

What is Lencois? Lencois Maranensis (the port of Lençóis Maranhenses) is a national park in the state of Maranhão

 in the north of Brazil.

 It is located in close proximity to the equator next to the Atlantic Ocean.

The area, covering approximately 1000 square kilometers, is covered with snow-white sand dunes up to 40 meters high. 

At first glance the park looks like a typical desert, but it's not. Because Lencois Maranensis is adjacent to the Amazon river 

basin, it undergoes regular precipitation - 300 times more than in the Sahara! From January to June, torrential rains pour

 in the park, and the water, not having time to go into the ground, accumulates in the valleys between the dunes. 

As a result, we get a space landscape - snow-white sand dunes leaving for the horizon, diluted by fabulous beauty of 

blue and turquoise lagoons. Some of the lagoons are temporary and completely dry in the summer. 

Others - permanent - even have their own names: "Lagoa Bonita" ("Beautiful Lagoon"), "Lagoa Azul" ("Blue Lagoon"),

Due to the proximity of the ocean, strong winds often blow here, due to which the dunes move. 

Up to 80% of the sand is in constant motion, forming bizarre patterns on the surface. 

This "desert" is also amazing because numerous flora and fauna live happily here. 

In turquoise lagoons, a fish is swimming, whose eggs from the ocean are brought by birds. 

There are turtles, crabs and shrimp.

How to get there. It's easiest to fly to Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. 

Further we take a course on San Luis - the capital of the State of Maranhão and the Brazilian reggae in combination. 

From there, you have to overcome the last 260 km in a rented car or a shuttle bus to Barreirinhas.

Passage of private cars in Lencois is prohibited. 

For security reasons, movement around the park is possible only when accompanied by a professional guide. 

The road to the dunes is a meandering labyrinth along ruts and bumps and no Google maps will help here. 

It's not difficult to find a guide. In Barreirinhas, many travel agencies are based with routes for every taste and purse. 

Cutting dunes is possible both on specially equipped SUVs and on ATVs. 

Hot weather at the same time will not be a hindrance - at any time you can swim in one of the lagoons with crystal clear water.

 When planning a trip, be sure to include in the program sunset on the dunes - a magical sight.

For fans of adventure, there are three-day trekking with spending the night under the starry sky and meeting the dawns. 

In each excursion group an average of 10-12 people. 

The average price per person - 80-120 Brazilian real (1600-2000 rubles.).

Be sure to try the local cashews - here these nuts grow in a great variety. 

Three times more than those sold in Russia, and an order of magnitude more delicious.

Where to stay. For accommodation it is best to book a room in one of the local pusadas (port. Pousada). 

These are small and very authentic family hotels. 

For breakfast, the hostess will most likely offer you cheese rolls pão de queijo and freshly brewed coffee. 

When to go. 

The best time to travel is from June to September, when the rainy season is already over, the sun is shining,

 and the lagoons are as full as possible with water. 

To view all the key attractions of the park, it will take at least three days.