Santo Amaro do Maranhao

Welcome to Santo Amaro do Maranhao, perhaps the most authentic and visually stunning of the three main bases for exploring the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. Unlike Barreirinhas, which is a bustling city, or Atins, which is a…

Our exploration begins in the town of Santo Amaro itself, a small community that has become a refuge for those seeking the 'roots' or authentic version of the Lençóis experience. The town is quiet, with a slow pace of life that…

Just a five-minute 4x4 ride from the town center brings us to the entrance of the national park and the start of the Circuito Andorinha, or the Swallows’ Circuit. This is often the first introduction visitors have to the scale of…

The primary mode of transport in Santo Amaro is the modified 4x4 pickup truck, equipped with benches in the back to accommodate groups of travelers. Navigating the dunes of the Lençóis Maranhenses is a skill that requires years…

The Circuito Betânia is a full-day expedition that offers a deeper look at the relationship between the people of Maranhão and this extraordinary environment. This circuit takes us to the village of Betânia, a small riverside…

For those seeking the truly extraordinary, the private tours often venture off the standard paths to discover 'hidden gems' like the Lagoa do Jô and what locals call the 'Secret Island.' These locations are often less crowded and…

The final act of any day in Santo Amaro is the sunset, a moment that transforms the landscape into a work of ethereal art. As the sun descends toward the horizon, the white sand of the dunes takes on shades of gold, pink, and…

As we return to the quiet streets of Santo Amaro, we leave behind a landscape that seems to exist outside of time. We have stood on the peaks of forty-meter dunes, swam in giant freshwater lagoons that were created by the clouds,…