Compare destinations

Which is better: Diamantina or Mariana?

Short answer

Diamantina and Mariana are in the same region (Historic Cities of Minas Gerais). Diamantina: hometown of President Juscelino Kubitschek (JK) and of Chica da Silva, high in the Serra do Espinhaço; Mariana: the first capital of Minas. For this month's weather, Diamantina has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap

	Diamantina	Mariana
Best time to visit	May → Sep	May → Aug
Weather this month	25.5° · 9 days of rain	29° · 8 days of rain
By car	R$ 200 · from Belo Horizonte	R$ 70 · from Belo Horizonte
Ideal stay	3 days	2–3 days
Best for	Romantic, Adventure, Food	Romantic, Family, Food

Choose Diamantina if

you want a trip for couples and adventure seekers: stone streets, serenades from balconies and the echo of the diamond cycle.

See guide

Choose Mariana if

you want a trip for couples and families: gilded Baroque carving, cobbled hills and the German organ of 1701 that still plays in the Sé Cathedral.

See guide

Comparison tool

Compare Diamantina and Mariana with any other destination

Build your own side-by-side table with up to 3 destinations.

Open the comparison tool

Where to stay

Where to stay: Diamantina or Mariana

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 Diamantina on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

See all hotels in Diamantina

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

See all hotels in Mariana

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

Frequently asked questions

Diamantina or Mariana: which is better?

What is the best time to visit Diamantina and Mariana?

The best time to visit Diamantina is from May to September; for Mariana, it is from May to August, 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 Belo Horizonte, Mariana is 112 km (70 mi) and costs about R$ 70 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 Mariana?

Averaged over the year, Diamantina has 8 rainy days a month and Mariana has 8. The two are practically tied over the year, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Diamantina is December and in Mariana, December. For temperature, Mariana is the warmer one (average high of 27° versus 24°).

How many days should you spend in Diamantina and in Mariana?

To see the main sights without rushing, Diamantina calls for 3 days and Mariana, 2–3 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 Mariana with kids?

Mariana (Minas Baroque, first capital of Minas, and historic center) is the better pick of the two for families. Diamantina (UNESCO World Heritage; diamond cycle; vesperatas and serenades) is geared more toward adults or couples.

What should you not miss in each?

In Diamantina: Diamantina Metropolitan Cathedral, Casa de Chica da Silva, Mercado dos Tropeiros (Mercado Velho). In Mariana: Praça Minas Gerais, Sé Cathedral Basilica, Church of São Francisco de Assis. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.