Discover the Magic of the Lençóis Maranhenses on a Photography Workshop Like No Other
This isn’t just another photo tour—this is a once-in-a-lifetime Lençóis Maranhenses photography workshop, crafted for creatives who want more than postcard-perfect shots. With boots-on-the-ground experience and intimate knowledge of this surreal region in Northeastern Brazil, we take you beyond the typical trail to discover remote lagoons, untouched dunes, and golden-hour landscapes that feel like another planet. Whether you're capturing aerial compositions from a dune ridge or swimming in mirrored lagoons between shots, this is luxury adventure travel with purpose, passion, and creativity at its core.
From the moment you land in São Luís to the final farewell toast at sunset, every detail of your workshop is handled with care. Our end-to-end premium travel services include private 4WD dune trucks, boutique accommodations, authentic local meals, and experienced bilingual guides. You’ll enjoy a curated, stress-free experience designed specifically for photographers—whether you're shooting with a DSLR, drone, or mobile setup. All logistics are managed so you can focus fully on the creative journey, with zero distractions.
Your vision drives the itinerary. Whether you're drawn to sunrise reflections in Lagoa Bonita, panoramic dune trails at golden hour, or hands-on coaching in exposure blending and composition, we personalize your experience for your creative goals. This is more than a trip—it’s a luxury photography retreat in Brazil built around exploration, cultural immersion, and skill building. With Vitor Lindo’s expert instruction and the region’s dramatic, ever-changing terrain, you'll return not just with stunning images—but with a renewed connection to your craft.
About
Seamless, All-Inclusive Support for Photographers
Tailored Itineraries Built Around Light, Landscape & Learning
Major Publications
Hi there! I'm Vitor Lindo, an award-winning Luxury Photographer and Luxury Adventure Travel Coordinator based in USA + Brazil. After 12 years in the Luxury Weddings industry, I expanded my Photography into a Destination Management Company, servicing Luxury clients worldwide.
We can handle all your exotic travel plans, for any size group and any type of event, anywhere in the world. Weather it's just an adventure Photography excursion, or a destination wedding in Bali. My team and I are experts in luxury Travel planning and Photography... the world awaits you.... where will your imagination take you?
constant
STATE OF
Awe
According to UNESCO, the Lençóis Maranhenses in Brazil is a National Park and the largest field of sand dunes in South America. The impressive preserved area of 155,000 ha (380,000 acres), 49.7 miles (80 km) of coastline, stretches to 31 miles (50km) inland. And the Park keeps growing at light speed. The dunes gain from 16 to 82 ft (5m to 25m) inland yearly!
Lençóis means bedsheets in Portuguese. Funny name, but it makes sense with a bird's eye view of the unearthly desert-like sandy area. The sloping vegetation-free dunes that can be as high as 12 feet (40m) make you scratch your eyes to escape the mirage.
You are not imagining. The ever-changing ripple effect from the winds makes everyone's jaw drop when first setting eyes on this landscape phenomenon. The sugar-like sandy slopes dive into thousands of gleaming blue, and green lagoons sprinkled over the 598 square miles (1549 km2.) The sizeable sandscape is one of my favorites among all the uncanny Brazilian landscapes I've seen.
A
The Parque Nacional Lençóis Maranhenses is on the outskirts of the Amazon Basin, and it subjects the region to more than 78" (183cm) of yearly rain. That is higher than in Scotland!
The sand from the Preguiça and Parnaíba rivers travels 31 miles inland, forming the monumental dunes. The lagoons that form during the rainy season are trapped between the dunes and guarded against escaping by an impenetrable rock tier underneath the sand. The result is bath-like water temperatures ranging from 81.5˚F (27.5˚C) and 90˚F (32.22˚C.)
The National Park of Lençóis Maranhenses is the perfect alliance between the Cerrado, the Caatinga, and Amazon ecosystems. So besides the voluptuous sandy curves, freshwater lagoons, mangroves, and beaches, you'll see incredibly colorful turtles, river sloths, exotic endangered bird species (Guará), otters, wildcats, and manatees around the area.
"
The sizeable sandscape is one of my favorites among all the uncanny Brazilian landscapes
"
- Vitor Lindo
Tucked away in the heart of Northeastern Brazil, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is one of the most visually stunning and geologically unique landscapes in the world. Spanning over 1,500 square kilometers, this protected area in Maranhão state features endless white sand dunes sculpted by trade winds, interspersed with crystal-clear rainwater lagoons that appear between May and September. It’s no exaggeration to call it Brazil’s Sahara—with freshwater.
This region offers an unforgettable destination for travelers seeking Brazil adventure travel beyond the usual tourist paths. Whether you're hiking barefoot through endless dunes, floating in warm turquoise lagoons, or watching the sky explode with stars, every moment in Lençóis Maranhenses feels like it belongs to another world.
But it’s not just about the scenery—Lençóis is a gateway to the culture, cuisine, and rhythms of Northeastern Brazil. From São Luís to Barreirinhas, Atins, and Santo Amaro, you'll discover a rich blend of Afro-Brazilian heritage, vibrant music, and deeply rooted traditions.
At Vitor Lindo Creative Works, we specialize in creating luxury travel experiences in Brazil that are both adventurous and deeply immersive. Our curated photography tours, private 4x4 dune excursions, and bilingual guided retreats give you privileged access to this dynamic ecosystem—whether you're a Photographer, filmmaker, or simply an explorer in search of the extraordinary.
If you’re seeking something more than just a vacation—something that awakens your senses and redefines your connection to nature—Lençóis Maranhenses is your next great journey. Let us plan every detail of your experience so you can focus on what matters most: wonder, creativity, and the joy of discovery.
BOOK A CALL
Sunrises and Sunsrises at Majestic Dunes
Ride Dune ATVs
Private High Wing Plane for Aerials
Savor Local Delicacies
Private Boats
up The River
Unique Fauna & Flora
Our Adventure Photography Workshop Tour starts and ends in São Luis, Maranhão's capital. You should be there no later than the afternoon of the first workshop day for our welcome dinner, and we'll bring you back on the last workshop day for our wrap-up dinner and last overnight stay.
Once you arrive at São Luis airport (SLZ), you'll be transferred to the hotel for check-in. São Luis is a fun and happy town known for its laid-back reggae culture. Its historic colonial city center is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its cultural importance. You can walk through gorgeous cobblestone streets and admire the charming Portuguese buildings with their world-famous tiles (azulejos). It will transport you to Lisbon!
The new waterfront city is the opposite, with its modernized constructions, high-end restaurants, and beachfront bars.
We'll spend a day in São Luis, and early the next day, we'll be on the road to Barreirinhas for about four hours in a private air-conditioned van.
Atins and Barreirinhas will be about 30 minutes to an hour from the National Park. The accommodations around the National Park are usually charming Inns with internet connections. The locals always welcome tourists, making you feel at home. You might want to move there!
Most days, we'll start our adventure very early to capture the best sunrise light when it is still dark. The ride in the 4WD is fun and, honestly, a bit bumpy, and we'll be back in the afternoon, before sunset, for another session. So these are short windows of opportunities to give us the best possible light. The stunning shiny dunes are 95% quartz and mirror the moonlight. It deserves our attention! Astrophotography, aerial photography, and drone photography (depending on wind conditions) and weaved into our schedule.
We'll stay two days in Atins and return to Barreirinhas, where we'll stay four more days.
No matter where we enter, the Park can only be visited with a tour guide by 4WD vehicles, RVs, boats, or trekking. We'll be using all forms of locomotion. We'll walk from the 4WD to the lagoons and around them for the best angles for our photography sessions. Although it is a very light and concise walk, please remember that you'll carry your bag with photography gear up and sometimes down soft sandy slopes. Nothing major, but I recommend you are in good health.
There is one more place available to visit in The Lencois Maranhenses park, this is Santo Amaro. In Northeastern Brazil, these cities are known for their magical realism. So much so that they were used in Hollywood films for incredible landscapes.
The photography sessions will combine dawn, sunset, whole light, Astro, aerial and drone opportunities. I'll be guiding everyone and making sure all goes smoothly. We'll have editing and image review sessions as well.
During our downtime, we'll have fun sliding down the dunes and plunging into the cozy crystalline waters, exploring different locations, experiencing the typical local cuisine, going on boat rides, tubbing down the river, learning the local craftsmanship, impacting the communities, and, some days, changing lodgings.
And if you pause for a moment from all the fun, take a deep breath and observe the lagoon's current. Impressively, the waters move, talking with the other lagoons from underneath the sand!
- private boat river ride for local fauna and flora
- feed the monkeys
- lighthouse
- Scarlet Ibis sunset flock flight
- lazy river tubing
- arrival and departure
- historic architecture
- fine dining traditional Brazilian barbecue
- dunes
- lakes
- 4 wheeler rides
- ATV
- Astrophotography
- local communities
- waterfall
- river rides
- National Park
- private charter flight for aerial photography
- dunes
- lakes
- sunrises
- sunsets
- typical delicacies
discovery.
peace.
majesty.
discovery.
peace.
majesty.
discovery.
peace.
majesty.
discovery.
peace.
majesty.
ACCOMMODATIONS
All Accommodations Between the Workshop Days. Some nights are at a 4-star hotel, and others will be at lovely rustic Inns.
INCLUDES:
- 4-Star Hotel in São Luis
- Bed and Breakfasts (Pousadas)
- Double-Occupancy Rooms
- Single Room Available for Extra Charge
CUISINE
Breakfasts, Lunches, and Dinners Featuring Authentic Local Cuisine.
Get ready to feast!
INCLUDES:
- Churrascaria Welcome Dinner
- Churrascaria Wrap-up Dinner
- Special Surprise Dining Experience!
- Typical Delicacies
TRANSPORTATION
Private transportation Throughout the Workshop, including to and from the Airport to Lodging.
INCLUDES:
-ATV's
- Speedboat
- Charter Plane for Aerial
- Air Conditioned Van
- 4WD Open Cabin Dune Truck
LEARNING
Individualized Photographic Guidance and Instruction from Vitor Lindo helping you every step of the way
YOU WILL LEARN:
- Aerial Photography
- Easy Panorama Stitching
- Combining Multiple Exposures
- Astrophotography
-And much more ...
EXPERT GUIDES
+15 years of Experience Local Tour Guide who know all the perfect spots away from crowds
INCLUDES:
- Satellite Phone For Your Safety
- Permits and Protected Areas Entry Fees
- All Tips for Local Guides and Drivers
- Translation Services During Workshop
- Vitor is fluent in Portuguese, English, and Spanish
EXPERIENCES
Unforgettable Moments, Lifetime Friendships Bathed by Cultural Immersion
INCLUDES:
- Positive Impact on Local Communities via Donation To Children in Need
- Local Craftsmanship Learning
TRANSPORTATION
We handle all transportation during the workshop.
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Any Baggage Fees
- Flights To and From Your Home
- Transportation To/From Your Origin Airport
- Trip Cancelation Insurance (recommended)
- Medical Evacuation Insurance (recommended)
-Travel Medical Insurance (recommended)
MEALS
We provide Breakfasts, Lunches, and Dinners Featuring Local Cuisine.
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Snacks
- Extra Water
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Juices and Soft drinks
LOGISTICS
We provide all necessary plans and logistics throughout the workshop.
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Medications
- Laundry, Phone Calls
- Other Personal Expenses
- Immunizations, if Applicable
- Passport and Visa Fees, if Applicable
- Lodging before and after the workshop
Direct Access & Full Support 24/7
When you travel with us, you’re never on your own. You’ll have direct access to Vitor Lindo throughout the entire journey — by phone, Zoom, or WhatsApp. Plus, our 24/7 concierge service ensures that no matter the time zone or situation, you’ll always have a trusted team ready to support you.
Trusted, Pre-Vetted Local Vendors
We work exclusively with a hand-selected network of local experts, tour operators, and vendors. Every guide, driver, chef, and event planner is carefully vetted to guarantee a smooth, high-touch experience — whether you’re booking luxury coastal vacations, arranging private charters, or hosting a corporate retreat abroad.
Expert Guidance on Safety, Flexibility & Legalities
From entry requirements to in-country regulations, we stay ahead of everything — so you don’t have to. Our team is built to pivot and adapt to any situation, giving you total peace of mind. Travel delays, weather changes, or unexpected events? We’re ready. You’re always in expert hands.
Vitor Travels With You (If You Want!)
Want even more support? Vitor Lindo can accompany your trip as your personal Photographer, guide, translator, fixer — or all of the above. Whether you’re planning an adventure wedding, a branded photo shoot, or a high-end luxury travel experience for couples, Vitor brings his signature creativity and calm to every journey.
3
THREE EASY STEPS TO BOOK WITH US
"DRINK LIFE TO THE LEES"
I.
Fill out contact form, even if you are unsure of what you are looking for, we can help you clarify
II.
We will schedule a video chat to go over all your plans. If you have no plan, we will craft them for you.
III.
Enjoy the rest of your day, because we will take care of everything else from here.
- Ulysses, Lord Tennyson