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Which is better: Campos do Jordão or Lençóis Maranhenses?

Short answer

Campos do Jordão is in the Serra da Mantiqueira (SP), while Lençóis Maranhenses is in the state of Maranhão (MA): different regions of Brazil. Campos do Jordão: Brazil's highest town, at 1,628 m in the Serra da Mantiqueira; Lençóis Maranhenses: a desert that fills with water. For this month's weather, Lençóis Maranhenses has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in Campos do JordãoCampos do Jordão Sightseeing Tour★ 9.1 · 72 reviews · from US$ 20 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Most reviewed activity in Lençóis MaranhensesBonita Lagoon Off-Roading Tour★ 9.3 · 33 reviews · from US$ 24 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Campos do Jordão Lençóis Maranhenses
Best time to visit Jun → Sep Aug → Dec
Weather this month 21° · 12 days of rain 33° · 0 days of rain
By car R$ 94 + tolls · from São Paulo R$ 144 · from São Luís
Ideal stay 3–4 days 3–4 days
Best for Romantic, Food, Family, Relax Adventure, Relax
Choose Campos do Jordão if

you want a trip for couples and food lovers: the "Brazilian Switzerland" of cold weather, pine nuts and the Winter Festival.

See guide
Choose Lençóis Maranhenses if

you want a trip for adventure seekers and relaxation: white dunes as far as the eye can see, dotted with blue and green lagoons that exist only after the rains.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Campos do Jordão or Lençóis Maranhenses

What usually tips the balance for your wallet is the rate on your travel dates. Check current prices for each city before deciding.

Compare hotels and places to stay in Campos do Jordão on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Hotel Dan Inn Campos do Jordao in Campos do Jordão 8.5 ★★★ · 85 reviews Hotel Dan Inn Campos do Jordao See on Booking → Hotel Castelo Nacional Inn Campos do Jordao in Campos do Jordão 8.6 ★★★★ · 35 reviews Hotel Castelo Nacional Inn Campos do Jordao See on Booking →
See all hotels in Campos do Jordão

Compare hotels and places to stay in Lençóis Maranhenses on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Porto Preguicas Resort in Lençóis Maranhenses 8.9 ★★★★★ · 19 reviews Porto Preguicas Resort See on Booking → VILA ATY LODGE in Lençóis Maranhenses 4.8 ★★★★★ · 1 review VILA ATY LODGE See on Booking →
See all hotels in Lençóis Maranhenses

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

Campos do Jordão or Lençóis Maranhenses: which is better?
Campos do Jordão is in the Serra da Mantiqueira (SP), while Lençóis Maranhenses is in the state of Maranhão (MA): different regions of Brazil. Campos do Jordão: Brazil's highest town, at 1,628 m in the Serra da Mantiqueira; Lençóis Maranhenses: a desert that fills with water. For this month's weather, Lençóis Maranhenses has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Campos do Jordão and Lençóis Maranhenses?
The best time to visit Campos do Jordão is from June to September; for Lençóis Maranhenses, it is from August to December, based on INMET's climate normals (temperature and rainfall for each month). If your trip already has a date, check each destination's page for your month.
Which of the two is cheaper to get to?
By car, leaving from São Paulo, Campos do Jordão is 170 km (106 mi) and costs about R$ 94 each way (fuel only, tolls not included); leaving from São Luís, Lençóis Maranhenses is 255 km (158 mi) and costs about R$ 144 each way (fuel plus tolls). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, Campos do Jordão or Lençóis Maranhenses?
Averaged over the year, Campos do Jordão has 11 rainy days a month and Lençóis Maranhenses has 10. Lençóis Maranhenses is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Campos do Jordão is January and in Lençóis Maranhenses, March. For temperature, Lençóis Maranhenses is the warmer one (average high of 32° versus 21°).
How many days should you spend in Campos do Jordão and in Lençóis Maranhenses?
To see the main sights without rushing, Campos do Jordão calls for 3–4 days and Lençóis Maranhenses, 3–4 days. These are distant regions: with a week or less, it is usually better to pick one of the two and make the most of it.
Campos do Jordão or Lençóis Maranhenses with kids?
Campos do Jordão (Brazil's highest town, mountain cold, and Winter Festival) is the better pick of the two for families. Lençóis Maranhenses (dunes and lagoons; desert with water; 4x4 jeep) is geared more toward adults or couples. With small children, weather matters: Lençóis Maranhenses has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Campos do Jordão: Campos do Jordão State Park (Horto Florestal), Morro do Elefante, Pico do Itapeva. In Lençóis Maranhenses: Lagoa Azul, Lagoa Bonita, Circuito das Lagoas. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.