Which is better: Diamantina or Lençóis Maranhenses?
Short answer
Diamantina is in the Historic Cities of Minas Gerais (MG), while Lençóis Maranhenses is in the state of Maranhão (MA): different regions of Brazil. Diamantina: hometown of President Juscelino Kubitschek (JK) and of Chica da Silva, high in the Serra do Espinhaço; Lençóis Maranhenses: a desert that fills with water. For this month's weather, Lençóis Maranhenses has the edge.
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Frequently asked questions
Diamantina or Lençóis Maranhenses: which is better?
Diamantina is in the Historic Cities of Minas Gerais (MG), while Lençóis Maranhenses is in the state of Maranhão (MA): different regions of Brazil. Diamantina: hometown of President Juscelino Kubitschek (JK) and of Chica da Silva, high in the Serra do Espinhaço; 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 Diamantina and Lençóis Maranhenses?
The best time to visit Diamantina is from May 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 Belo Horizonte, Diamantina is 292 km (181 mi) and costs about R$ 200 each way (fuel plus tolls); 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, Diamantina or Lençóis Maranhenses?
Averaged over the year, Diamantina has 8 rainy days a month and Lençóis Maranhenses has 10. Diamantina is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Diamantina is December and in Lençóis Maranhenses, March. For temperature, Lençóis Maranhenses is the warmer one (average high of 32° versus 24°).
How many days should you spend in Diamantina and in Lençóis Maranhenses?
To see the main sights without rushing, Diamantina calls for 3 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.
Diamantina or Lençóis Maranhenses with kids?
Neither is a typical family destination: Diamantina (UNESCO World Heritage; diamond cycle; vesperatas and serenades) and Lençóis Maranhenses (dunes and lagoons; desert with water; 4x4 jeep). You can go with kids, but the plans there do not revolve around them. With small children, weather matters: Diamantina has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Diamantina: Diamantina Metropolitan Cathedral, Casa de Chica da Silva, Mercado dos Tropeiros (Mercado Velho). 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.
