Skip to content
Compare destinations

Which is better: Fernando de Noronha or Lençóis Maranhenses?

Short answer

Fernando de Noronha is in the state of Pernambuco (PE), while Lençóis Maranhenses is in the state of Maranhão (MA): different regions of Brazil. Fernando de Noronha: a volcanic archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic where the water is so clear it hardly seems real, and Baía do Sancho was once voted the best beach in the world; 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 Fernando de NoronhaFernando de Noronha Island Tour★ 9.9 · 18 reviews · from US$ 68 · 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 →
Fernando de Noronha Lençóis Maranhenses
Best time to visit Sep → Dec Aug → Dec
Weather this month 30° · 3 days of rain 33° · 0 days of rain
By car by air only R$ 144 · from São Luís
Ideal stay 4–5 days 3–4 days
Best for Romantic, Adventure, Relax Adventure, Relax
Choose Fernando de Noronha if

you want a trip for couples and adventure seekers: a volcanic archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic where the water is so clear it hardly seems real, and Baía do Sancho was once voted the best beach in the world.

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
Comparison tool
Compare Fernando de Noronha and Lençóis Maranhenses 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: Fernando de Noronha 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 Fernando de Noronha on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Beco Pousada Boutique in Fernando de Noronha 9.5 ★★ · 46 reviews Beco Pousada Boutique See on Booking → Pousada Lua Bela in Fernando de Noronha 9.4 ★★★★ · 2 reviews Pousada Lua Bela See on Booking →
See all hotels in Fernando de Noronha

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

Fernando de Noronha or Lençóis Maranhenses: which is better?
Fernando de Noronha is in the state of Pernambuco (PE), while Lençóis Maranhenses is in the state of Maranhão (MA): different regions of Brazil. Fernando de Noronha: a volcanic archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic where the water is so clear it hardly seems real, and Baía do Sancho was once voted the best beach in the world; 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 Fernando de Noronha and Lençóis Maranhenses?
The best time to visit Fernando de Noronha is from September to December; 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.
Where does it rain less, Fernando de Noronha or Lençóis Maranhenses?
Averaged over the year, Fernando de Noronha has 9 rainy days a month and Lençóis Maranhenses has 10. Fernando de Noronha is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Fernando de Noronha is April and in Lençóis Maranhenses, March. For temperature, Lençóis Maranhenses is the warmer one (average high of 32° versus 30°).
How many days should you spend in Fernando de Noronha and in Lençóis Maranhenses?
To see the main sights without rushing, Fernando de Noronha calls for 4–5 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.
Fernando de Noronha or Lençóis Maranhenses with kids?
Neither is a typical family destination: Fernando de Noronha (best beach in the world, breathtaking diving, and preserved paradise) 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: Fernando de Noronha has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Fernando de Noronha: Baía do Sancho, Baía dos Porcos, Praia do Leão. 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.