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Which is better: Jericoacoara or Lençóis Maranhenses?

Short answer

Jericoacoara is on the Ceará Coast (CE), while Lençóis Maranhenses is in the state of Maranhão (MA): different regions of Brazil. Jericoacoara: a village of sand streets where everyone stops what they are doing to watch the sun fall behind the dune; 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 JericoacoaraJericoacoara East Coast Off-Roading Tour: Paradise & Blue Lagoon★ 8.5 · 76 reviews · from US$ 14 · 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 →
Jericoacoara Lençóis Maranhenses
Best time to visit Jul → Dec Aug → Dec
Weather this month 33° · 1 day of rain 33° · 0 days of rain
By car R$ 169 · from Fortaleza R$ 144 · from São Luís
Ideal stay 4–5 days 3–4 days
Best for Adventure, Romantic, Relax Adventure, Relax
Choose Jericoacoara if

you want a trip for adventure seekers and couples: a village of sand streets where everyone stops what they are doing to watch the sun fall behind the dune.

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

Blue Residence Hotel in Jericoacoara 9.2 ★★★★★ · 11 reviews Blue Residence Hotel See on Booking → Rede Andrade Vila Jeri in Jericoacoara 8.8 · 1 review Rede Andrade Vila Jeri See on Booking →
See all hotels in Jericoacoara

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

Jericoacoara or Lençóis Maranhenses: which is better?
Jericoacoara is on the Ceará Coast (CE), while Lençóis Maranhenses is in the state of Maranhão (MA): different regions of Brazil. Jericoacoara: a village of sand streets where everyone stops what they are doing to watch the sun fall behind the dune; 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 Jericoacoara and Lençóis Maranhenses?
The best time to visit Jericoacoara is from July 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.
Which of the two is cheaper to get to?
By car, leaving from Fortaleza, Jericoacoara is 300 km (186 mi) and costs about R$ 169 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, Jericoacoara or Lençóis Maranhenses?
Averaged over the year, Jericoacoara has 7 rainy days a month and Lençóis Maranhenses has 10. Jericoacoara is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Jericoacoara is March and in Lençóis Maranhenses, March. For temperature, both have the same average high, 32°.
How many days should you spend in Jericoacoara and in Lençóis Maranhenses?
To see the main sights without rushing, Jericoacoara 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.
Jericoacoara or Lençóis Maranhenses with kids?
Neither is a typical family destination: Jericoacoara (sunset on the dune, kitesurfing capital, and barefoot village) 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: Jericoacoara has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Jericoacoara: Sunset Dune, Pedra Furada, Paradise Lagoon. 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.