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Which is better: Florianópolis or Lençóis Maranhenses?

Short answer

Florianópolis is on the Santa Catarina Coast (SC), while Lençóis Maranhenses is in the state of Maranhão (MA): different regions of Brazil. Florianópolis: an island with more than 40 beaches, a saltwater lagoon for windsurfing and oysters farmed in the same sea where they grow; 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 FlorianópolisBlumenau & Pomerode Day Trip★ 8.4 · 124 reviews · from US$ 38 · 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 →
Florianópolis Lençóis Maranhenses
Best time to visit Apr → Nov Aug → Dec
Weather this month 24° · 13 days of rain 33° · 0 days of rain
By car R$ 436 · from São Paulo R$ 144 · from São Luís
Ideal stay 4–6 days 3–4 days
Best for Family, Adventure, Relax, Romantic Adventure, Relax
Choose Florianópolis if

you want a trip for families and adventure seekers: an island with more than 40 beaches, a saltwater lagoon for windsurfing and oysters farmed in the same sea where they grow.

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

Porto da Ilha Hotel in Florianópolis 8.9 ★★★★ · 47 reviews Porto da Ilha Hotel See on Booking → Novotel Florianopolis in Florianópolis 8.6 ★★★★ · 24 reviews Novotel Florianopolis See on Booking →
See all hotels in Florianópolis

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

Florianópolis or Lençóis Maranhenses: which is better?
Florianópolis is on the Santa Catarina Coast (SC), while Lençóis Maranhenses is in the state of Maranhão (MA): different regions of Brazil. Florianópolis: an island with more than 40 beaches, a saltwater lagoon for windsurfing and oysters farmed in the same sea where they grow; 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 Florianópolis and Lençóis Maranhenses?
The best time to visit Florianópolis is from April to November; 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, Florianópolis is 691 km (429 mi) and costs about R$ 436 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, Florianópolis or Lençóis Maranhenses?
Averaged over the year, Florianópolis has 12 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 Florianópolis is January and in Lençóis Maranhenses, March. For temperature, Lençóis Maranhenses is the warmer one (average high of 32° versus 25°).
How many days should you spend in Florianópolis and in Lençóis Maranhenses?
To see the main sights without rushing, Florianópolis calls for 4–6 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.
Florianópolis or Lençóis Maranhenses with kids?
Florianópolis (island of 40 beaches; Azorean culture; lagoon and surf) 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 Florianópolis: Lagoa da Conceição, Joaquina Beach, Jurerê Internacional Beach. 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.