Visit Jericoacoara

Sand streets with no tarmac, a dune where the whole village gathers at sunset, turquoise lagoons where you swim beside hammocks and a steady wind that draws kitesurfers from around the world: Jericoacoara takes a 4x4 track to reach, and rewards four or five unhurried days.

Why go to Jericoacoara?

Jericoacoara is a former fishing village in Ceará, about 300 km west of Fortaleza, at the heart of a national park created in 2002. People come for its dunes, its freshwater lagoons and a strong trade wind from July to January that makes it a world reference for kitesurfing and windsurfing.

Jericoacoara must-sees

Four places that sum up Jeri, between dunes, rock and fresh water.

Duna do Pôr do Sol

A large dune west of the village where people gather every evening to watch the sun set over the Atlantic, often to the sound of capoeira and drums.

Pedra Furada

A dark rock arch pounded by waves, the symbol of Jericoacoara, reached on foot along the beach at low tide or by a hillside trail.

Lagoa do Paraíso

A clear freshwater lagoon near Jijoca, famous for hammocks strung along the shore and in the water, ideal for a day of swimming sheltered from the wind.

Kitesurfing spots

The nearby beaches of Preá and Guriú offer steady wind and flat-water lagoons, with schools and equipment rental in the village and the surrounding area.

What to do in Jericoacoara, between village, beach and lagoons?

The vila and its sand streets

The village is just a few sand streets running parallel to the beach, where many people happily walk barefoot. Private cars are not allowed in: you arrive by 4x4 or buggy from Jijoca de Jericoacoara, around twenty kilometres along the track. Pousadas, restaurants and kite schools cluster around the main street, all within a ten-minute walk. A daily tourism tax, paid online before arrival, is checked at the entrance. It is the most unusual stop on a trip to north-east Brazil.

The coast, from the dune to the arch

West of the village, the great Pôr do Sol dune overlooks the beach: it takes five minutes to climb for sunset, Jeri's daily ritual. To the east, Pedra Furada, the rock arch that symbolises the park, is a 45-minute to one-hour walk, either along the beach or over the Serrote hill trail. The beach route only works at low tide, so check the tide table the day before. Around July, on certain evenings, the sun sets right through the arch, which draws a crowd.

Lagoons and buggy circuits

Two full-day trips cover the area. The east circuit takes in the Sloth Tree, Buraco Azul and the Paraíso lagoon near Jijoca, 30 to 40 minutes away by buggy. The west circuit crosses dunes and mangroves to the Tatajuba lagoon, including a river crossing by small ferry. The freshwater lagoons look their best after the rainy season, from February to May, when water levels rise. Allow one day per circuit and set off early to enjoy calm water before the afternoon wind picks up.

Frequently asked questions about Jericoacoara

Can you drive a rental car to Jericoacoara?
As far as Jijoca, yes. Beyond that, driving in the park and village is restricted to authorised vehicles: most travellers leave the car in Jijoca and finish the journey in a shared 4x4, known as a jardineira, or a private transfer along the sand track.
When does the sun set through the Pedra Furada arch?
It happens around July, when the line of the sunset aligns with the opening of the arch. It also depends on the tide, which must be low to reach the viewpoint from the beach: ask locally for the exact dates each year.
Are the Paraíso and Azul lagoons full all year round?
No. They fill up during the rainy season, from February to May, and stay high through the middle of the year. At the end of the dry season, around November and December, their level drops noticeably, although swimming remains pleasant.
Is Jericoacoara suitable for a beginner kitesurfer?
Yes, as long as you take lessons. Schools often take beginners to shallow flat-water lagoons around Preá or Guriú, which are safer than the village beach, where crowds and strong wind make learning harder.
Should you stay in Jericoacoara itself or in Jijoca?
Staying in the village lets you enjoy sunset on the dune and the evening atmosphere without driving the track at night. Jijoca is cheaper and close to the lagoons, but lacks any buzz. For four or five nights, the village remains the most practical choice.
How do you pay the Jericoacoara entry tax?
The sustainable tourism tax is paid online on the official website of the Jijoca de Jericoacoara municipality, stating the length of your stay. Keep the receipt on your phone: it is requested at the checkpoint at the village entrance.

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