The bizarre 'desert' in popular tourist country that has more water than sand

Tourists have been left stunned by this bizarre 'desert' which appears to have more water than sand. (Image: Getty)

Sitting just off the northeastern coast of Brazil lies a national park composed of incredible rolling sand dunes that could look quite comfortable on an alien planet. This desert-like expanse has captured the attention of tourists for one particularly bizarre feature.

When imagining a desert environment, the first words to come to mind are likely hot, dry, and void of water. However, in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, in the Brazilian state of Maranhão, people have been left baffled thanks to its appearance as a desert with apparently more water than sand. Protected in 1981, the 380,000-acre park includes 43 miles of coastline and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July last year for its exceptional beauty and unique landscape.

During the rainy season, the valleys among the dunes fill with freshwater lagoons, prevented from draining by the impermeable rock beneath. (Image: Getty)

However, this expanse is not technically a desert. A real desert receives less than 250 millimetres of rain per year. However, the Lencois Maranhenses National Park receives over 1,200 millimetres on average every year, with about 70% falling between January and May.

During the rainy season, the valleys among the dunes fill with freshwater lagoons, prevented from draining by the impermeable rock beneath. 

These freshwater lagoons can grow up to 330ft in length and 10ft deep, together comprising as much as 41% of the park's area. They typically have a temperature between 27.5C and 32C, a pH between 4.9 and 6.2 and low levels of dissolved nutrients.

When the dry season returns, the pools quickly evaporate, losing as much as 3ft of depth per month. 

The park is home to a range of species, including four listed as endangered, like the West Indian manatee. (Image: Getty)

The lagoons are home to a number of fish and insect species, including the wolf fish, which burrows into wet layers of mud and remains dormant during the dry season. The park is home to a range of species, including four listed as endangered, like the scarlet ibis and the West Indian manatee.

The Lencois Maranhenses National Park has become a popular destination for ecotourists, now welcoming as many as 60,000 visitors a year. Common activities within the park include surfing, canoeing and horse riding.

What's more, Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019) used the park's landscape as the planet of Vormir. Executive producer for Brazil Production Services Thiago da Costa said on his website: "The park was selected by the team from Marvel and Disney for its visuals unique in the world that captured the setting for specific scenes in the story perfectly".

Brazil hosted over 6.6 million international tourists in 2024, a 12.6% year-over-year increase compared with 2023.