Audio Version

Mayan vs. Brazilian Hammocks: Which Is Right for You?

If you are looking for a traditional hammock without spreader bars, two names appear again and again: Mayan hammocks and Brazilian hammocks.

At first glance, they may seem similar. Both hang in a natural curve, both can wrap comfortably around the body, and both work well for backyard, cottage and indoor relaxation.

But once you actually lie in them, the difference is easy to notice.

Quick answer: A Mayan hammock uses an open, flexible cord weave that feels light, breathable and highly conforming. A Brazilian-style hammock uses a solid woven fabric that feels denser, softer and more blanket-like. Choose a Mayan hammock if you prefer airflow and a light, flexible feel. Choose a Brazilian hammock if you prefer a cozier, more substantial fabric bed.

Mayan vs. Brazilian Hammocks at a Glance

Neither one is automatically better. They simply create two different versions of traditional hammock comfort.

What Is a Mayan Hammock?

A Mayan hammock is built from many individual cords woven together in a flexible pattern rather than from one solid sheet of fabric.

That open construction allows the hammock bed to expand and conform around the user while air moves freely through the weave.

The Mayan Hammock – Double, for example, uses a flexible woven construction that creates a very different feel from a fabric hammock.

Because the individual cords move with the body, a Mayan hammock can feel remarkably light and flexible when properly positioned.

You can also explore the full Mayan hammock collection.

What Is a Brazilian Hammock?

A Brazilian-style hammock replaces the open cord weave with a tightly woven fabric bed.

That gives it a noticeably different character. Instead of feeling airy and net-like, it feels more like a soft suspended blanket.

The Deluxe Brazilian Style Double Hammock, for example, uses a solid woven fabric bed without spreader bars.

The fabric blocks more airflow than a Mayan weave, which can make it especially appealing during cooler evenings or for someone who prefers a warmer, more enveloping hammock.

Browse the Brazilian hammock collection.

Which One Is More Comfortable?

This is where personal preference matters most.

A Mayan hammock distributes your weight across many individual cords. The weave stretches and reshapes itself around your body, creating a very flexible resting surface.

A Brazilian hammock also conforms around you, but the feeling is different. The solid woven bed feels smoother and more substantial against the body.

A simple way to describe the difference is:

Mayan: airy, flexible and almost floating.

Brazilian: soft, cozy and more blanket-like.

Someone who loves one style may genuinely prefer it over the other, so there is no meaningful way to declare one universally more comfortable.

Which Hammock Is Better in Hot Weather?

For hot summer days, the Mayan design has a natural advantage.

The open weave allows air to circulate through the hammock bed instead of trapping as much warmth beneath the body.

That makes Mayan hammocks particularly appealing for:

• hot patios;
• shaded porches;
• cottages;
• warm climates;
• summer afternoons; and
• people who tend to feel warm while relaxing.

The Brazilian hammock is still perfectly usable during summer, but its tighter fabric naturally provides less ventilation.

Which One Is Better When the Weather Gets Cooler?

This is where the Brazilian hammock can become especially appealing.

The solid fabric blocks more moving air than an open Mayan weave, so the hammock tends to feel warmer on cooler afternoons and evenings.

That difference becomes noticeable in late summer and early fall, when daytime temperatures remain comfortable but evenings start getting cooler.

Add a light blanket and a Brazilian hammock can become an especially cozy place to relax.

For more seasonal advice, see Seasonal Hammock Use: Tips for Year-Round Enjoyment.

Which Hammock Gives You More Room?

Do not judge hammock size only by words such as single, double or family.

Look at the actual dimensions.

Two hammocks can both be called “double” while having very different bed shapes, lengths and widths.

The Mayan design tends to expand considerably through its flexible weave, while a Brazilian hammock gives you a more clearly defined solid-fabric resting area.

The important point is simple:

Compare dimensions, not just category names.

Our recent guide, How to Measure Your Space for a Hammock, explains how to compare hammock dimensions with the space available in your home or backyard.

What About Durability?

Both designs can provide years of enjoyment when properly cared for, but their construction creates different considerations.

The woven cords of a Mayan hammock are strong when weight is distributed normally across the bed. Individual threads, however, can be more vulnerable to snagging on sharp objects, jewellery, buttons or zippers.

Brazilian hammocks have a solid woven surface, so there are fewer open loops to catch.

That does not mean a Brazilian hammock is indestructible. Fabric can still wear, tear or become damaged through improper use or prolonged exposure to weather.

Whichever style you choose, inspect the hammock regularly and store it properly when it is not being used.

Can Mayan and Brazilian Hammocks Use the Same Stand?

Often, yes.

Both are traditional non-spreader-bar hammocks, so they can use stands designed for that type of hammock, provided the hammock's dimensions and load are compatible with the stand.

The Universal Hammock Stand for Non-Spreader-Bar Hammocks, for example, is designed for traditional gathered-end hammocks.

Always check the capacity and fit of the exact combination you intend to use.

If you are still learning the difference between hammock designs, read Spreader Bar vs. Traditional Hammocks: Which Is Right for You?.

Which One Is Easier to Take With You?

Mayan hammocks tend to be particularly light because much of the hammock bed is open space between cords.

Brazilian hammocks use a solid fabric bed and therefore generally feel more substantial when packed.

Both can still be portable.

For serious backpacking, however, a purpose-built camping hammock made from lightweight synthetic material will usually be a more practical choice.

Mayan or Brazilian: Which Should You Choose?

Choose a Mayan hammock if you:

• love a light and airy hammock;
• want maximum ventilation;
• enjoy a hammock that conforms closely around the body;
• appreciate traditional woven construction; or
• want a particularly lightweight traditional hammock.

Choose a Brazilian hammock if you:

• prefer solid fabric beneath you;
• like a warmer, cozier feel;
• want a smooth bed without an open weave;
• enjoy long naps or indoor relaxation; or
• prefer the feeling of being wrapped in soft fabric.

If you still cannot decide, there is a perfectly reasonable solution: own one of each.

They really do provide different lounging experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Mayan hammock better than a Brazilian hammock?

Not universally. Mayan hammocks are more breathable and flexible, while Brazilian hammocks feel denser and cozier. The better choice depends on the type of comfort you prefer.

Are Mayan hammocks strong even though the cords look thin?

Yes, when properly made and used within their stated capacity. Their strength comes from distributing the load across many woven cords. Individual cords should still be protected from sharp objects and snagging.

Are Brazilian hammocks hot in summer?

They are generally warmer than open-weave Mayan hammocks because the fabric blocks more airflow. Whether that feels too warm depends on the weather, shade and personal preference.

Can two adults use a Mayan or Brazilian double hammock?

Models rated and sized for two people can accommodate two adults as long as their combined load remains within the hammock's rated capacity and the support system is also appropriately rated.

Do either of these hammocks have spreader bars?

The traditional Mayan and Brazilian models discussed here do not. Their gathered ends create the familiar curved hammock shape.

Can I leave them outside?

They are suitable for outdoor use, but storing or protecting your hammock when it is not in use will help extend its lifespan. Cotton-based hammocks should not be treated as permanent all-weather outdoor furniture.

Two Traditions, Two Different Ways to Relax

Mayan and Brazilian hammocks share the same basic idea: suspend a comfortable bed between two points and let gravity do the rest.

But their construction changes the experience.

The Mayan hammock is light, breathable and highly flexible.

The Brazilian hammock is soft, substantial and cozy.

Once you understand that difference, choosing between them becomes much easier.

Explore our Mayan hammocks and Brazilian hammocks and compare the dimensions, capacity and feel that best fit the way you relax.