Best hotels in Lencois Maranhenses National Park

Set along the sleepy banks of the Rio Preguiças, Encantes do Nordeste is a comfortable base with a dash of charm for exploring the surreal landscapes of Lençóis Maranhenses — those endless white dunes studded with freshwater lagoons that vanish and reappear with the seasons. From the pousada’s private dock, boat trips head straight upriver, giving you effortless access to places day-trippers drive for hours to reach. Back on shore, a hammock, a pool shaded by palms, and Maranhão’s signature unhurried pace make it tempting to simply stay put and soak up the riverside calm.

Tucked away in Santo Amaro do Maranhão, on the very edge of the Lençóis Maranhenses dunes, Pousada Rancho das Dunas is the kind of place that makes you slow down (and smile). Think hammocks strung in shady corners, a pool that’s pure bliss after hours in the blazing sun, and dinners under lantern light with regional flavours on your plate. But it’s the setting that steals the show: a deck with views straight onto the shifting dunes that turn into shimmering gold at sunset. The lagoons of Santo Amaro are within easy reach, but you may just want to linger awhile here, too...

Tucked into the northeast corner of Brazil, the remote fishing village of Atins is just as you would expect - laidback, rustic and very, very easygoing. And then there's Anacardier Privé! Sleek yet breezy with just the right amount of 'luxe', the low buildings are tucked into the dunes and around every corner, you'll find something else unexpected from a beach tennis court to the rooftop hangout area. There's also a glass sauna that looks out over the garden, a beautiful pool, and breakfast that reaches new levels of delicious. It's the kind of place where people actually remember your name and preferences and returning at the end of a long day of beach-ing is heavenly.

This beachfront property operates more like a well-designed village than a typical pousada, with seven individual chalets scattered through a coconut grove. The property is located on Atins' main strip but feels completely private thanks to the pretty, tropical garden that creates a natural barrier. The owners, Maria and Gaby, have created something that feels incredibly personal yet professional - Oh and did we mention the breakfast? Fresh tapioca crepes, pão de queijo, unlimited coffee, and açaí bowls are just a few of the items on offer...

Like staying at a design-obsessed friend's incredibly stylish farmhouse, OIÁ Casa Lençóis is a rare blend of homely comfort and sophistication. The property sits on what used to be Fazenda Boca da Ilha, and the owners have transformed the old farm into something genuinely special – think 52,500 square metres of untouched vegetation dotted with lagoons that magically appear when the rains come. Inside, interior designer Marina Linhares went all-out, filling the spaces with furniture by Brazilian legends like Carlos Motta and Jean Gillon mixed with pieces from local artisans, creating a first in the region - and one that guests return to again and again.