Best Time to Visit Lençóis Maranhenses (for Full Lagoons!)

Wondering when to go to Lençóis Maranhenses to see the world-famous white dunes with clear freshwater pools?

The best months are usually between May and August, though timing can extend to September depending on the year and the base city you’re staying in!

I used to live in São Luís, the closest big city to Lençóis Maranhenses, and visited the National Park countless times throughout the years. Here’s everything I learned about the best time to visit Lençóis Maranhenses!

Does Lençóis Maranhenses look different throughout the year?

Yes, the landscape at Lençóis Maranhenses can look dramatically different in different months of the year!

The famous freshwater lagoons and the “flooded desert” landscape almost completely vanish during a few months of the year, and then reappear during the rainy season!

In fact, I recently visited Lençóis Maranhenses towards the end of the season and was disappointed to find the landscape mostly dry, only with a few shallow lagoons that were brown or dark green!

To avoid being disappointed during your trip, make sure to visit during the peak season for the base town you choose to stay in.

The best things to do in Lençóis Maranhenses also vary depending on the month, so make sure to plan accordingly – especially if you want to kitesurf there!

What is the best time to go to Lençóis Maranhenses?

The best months to visit Lençóis Maranhenses are between May and September, but this range can vary depending on what base city you’re staying in.

The national park can be accessed from three distinct cities, and the pools dry sooner in some of them than others.

The pools near Atins usually dry out in mid-August, while the ones in Barreirinhas may last until the end of the month.

In Santo Amaro, the pools may last as long as early September!

Storytime: My latest 5-day itinerary to Lençóis Maranhenses was in August, and I was disappointed by the few dark green lagoons I saw in Atins but mesmerized by the blue and turquoise ones in Barreirinhas. That’s how much location and timing matter!

What is the best month to visit Lençóis Maranhenses for full lagoons?

June is known as the absolute best month to visit Lençóis Maranhenses because the lagoons are full and the rainy season is over!

One of my favorite things about visiting in June is that you may also catch the São João do Maranhão festivities in São Luís, the closest big city (and airport) to Lençóis Maranhenses.

The celebration is huge and full of energy, with incredible traditional music and delicious food everywhere!

The only drawback to visiting Lençóis Maranhenses in June is the higher cost, especially in Atins.

If you want to kitesurf in Lençóis Maranhenses, then June and August are good months to visit! To get the best of both worlds, I recommend spending a few days kitesurfing in Atins and also heading to Santo Amaro to see the famous flooded desert in all its glory!

Weather conditions in Lençóis Maranhenses by month

• October, November, December: Good time for kitesurfing in Atins, though the freshwater pools of Lençóis Maranhenses are pretty much dry.
• January, February, and March: Expect rain and most lagoons to be empty.
• April and May: You’ll find the lagoons full, but there is a high risk of rain! Depending on the year, May is the sweet spot for visiting Lençóis Maranhenses, as the lagoons may already be quite filled and tourists have not yet arrived.
• June and July: The best months to visit Lençóis Maranhenses, with a low chance of rain, full lagoons, and lots of tourists. A plus is that it is also the start of the kitesurfing season in Atins!
• August: Lagoons start drying out, and by mid-August the lagoons near Atins almost completely vanish. If you are planning a trip in August, staying Santo Amaro is your best bet! Good month to go kitesurfing in Atins
• September: Lagoons are mostly dry throughout Lençóis Maranhenses, but you might still spot a few beautiful ones in Santo Amaro if you’re lucky! It is kitesurfing season in Atins!

Storytime: Several of my friends visited Lençóis Maranhenses in May 2025 and some had a beautiful time while others experienced heavy rain! For those who visited during rainy days, the landscape did not look as beautiful because the sand stays wet for a day or two, and the usually bright white dunes turn darker.

The wrap-up: When to Go to Lençóis Maranhenses

So, when is the best time to visit Lençóis Maranhenses?

If you want to see the iconic white dunes dotted with crystal-clear lagoons, aim for June or July, when the lagoons are full and the weather is generally perfect.

May can also be a great choice if you don’t mind gambling a bit with rain, and August works if you plan carefully around location, prioritizing Barreirinhas or Santo Amaro over Atins.

If your trip to Brazil is during October, November, or December, it is probably best to skip Lençóis Maranhenses if you’re hoping to see the lagoons full.

Timing truly makes all the difference, so plan your trip according to the base city you’ll stay in, and you’ll be rewarded with one of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth!