Brazil's North-East Region
The Ultimate Brazil Travel Guide: Jericoacoara
There are few places with a more spectacular sunset than windy Jericoacoara. Watch it from the top of the dunes, or down by the ocean. Jeri is also hotspot for kitesurfing and adventure sports.
Jericoacoara, often referred to as Jeri, is a remote beach town in Ceará, known for its sand dunes, lagoons, and world-class windsurfing and kitesurfing conditions. Located within the Jericoacoara National Park, the village is surrounded by natural beauty, with attractions like the Pedra Furada rock formation and Sunset Dune.
Top 8 Things to See & Do in Jericoacoara
Take a full-day buggy ride across the dunes: Hire a licensed buggy driver for a day trip covering key attractions in the region. Typical routes include stops at Lagoa Azul, Lagoa do Paraíso, Pedra Furada, Árvore da Preguiça and the Tatajuba dunes.
Watch the sunset at the natural rock arch, Pedra Furada: Walk to this naturally formed stone arch on the beach. It is located about 2 kilometres from the village, and at low tide, the walk is along the shoreline and takes approximately 40 minutes.
Watch the sunset from the Sunset Dune (Duna do Pôr do Sol): Climb this large sand dune west of the village to view the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the few places in Brazil where the sun sets directly into the sea. Locals and visitors gather there daily in the late afternoon.
Take a kitesurfing lesson: Enrol in a kitesurfing school, where lessons are offered for beginners and advanced kitesurfers. The season with best wind conditions is from July to January, with wind speeds averaging 20 to 30 knots.
Relax in a hammock in Lagoa do Paraíso: Visit this freshwater lagoon with clear water and white sand. Beach clubs such as Alchymist Beach Club offer access to hammocks placed in the shallow water, restaurant service and loungers. Access is usually via buggy or 4x4 transfer.
Go horseriding along the beach or through the dunes: Local guides offer guided horse rides for beginners and experienced riders. Routes often include the beach, dunes and nearby lagoons. Tours typically last 1 to 2 hours.
Visit the village of Tatajuba: Take a buggy westward across dunes and a river crossing to reach this fishing village. Highlights include Lagoa da Torta, known for hammocks and floating restaurants, and the moving sand dunes that buried the old village in the 1980s.
Try sandboarding at the dunes: Rent a board from a local vendor and slide down the steep slopes of dunes such as those in Tatajuba or near the Sunset Dune.
How long to spend in Jericoacoara
It is recommended to spend at least 3 days in Jericoacoara, to take a full-day buggy tour as well as enjoy the town's local beaches.
Where to stay in Jericoacoara
The majority of Jericoacoara's accommodation is located in the central village, which is small and easy to explore by foot. There are also some resorts and luxury accommodation located nearby Malhada Beach. In addition, there is accommodation available in the nearby village of Preá, about 12 kilometres from Jericoacoara, which is a popular destination for kitesurfers.
Find cheap accommodation for your stay in Jericoacoara, or check out my personal recommendations below:
Hotels in Jericoacoara
Villa Nautica Boutique Hotel - modern boutique hotel, ideal for couples (see prices)
Villa Mango Jeri - luxury boutique hotel with a garden and outdoor pool (see prices)
Pousada Jeribá - a beachfront boutique hotel with terrace and outdoor pool (see prices)
Pousadas (Guesthouses) in Jericoacoara
Villa Alegria - a luxury boutique guesthouse, ideal for couples (see prices)
Pousada Caminho da Praia - guesthouse with view of the dunes and free breakfast (see prices)
Vila Kalango - beachfront accommodation perfect for those visiting for watersports such as kitesurfing (see prices)
Apartments in Jericoacoara
Aldeia Jericoacoara - Private luxury apartments with shared kitchen and swimming pool (see prices)
Backpacker Hostels in Jericoacoara
Villa Chic Hostel Pousada - upscale hostel with a swimming pool (see prices)
Raiz Hostel - centrally located hostel with a great breakfast (see prices)
Hostel Jericoacoariano - relaxed hostel with a garden (see prices)
Where is Jericoacoara, Brazil
Quick Facts about Jericoacoara
Population of Jericoacoara
The population of Jijoca de Jericoacoara, which includes the town of Jericoacoara, is 28,198 people (IBGE, 2025). The town of Jericoacoara itself has a very small population.
Nicknames
People from Jericoacoara do not have a specific nickname, however people from Ceará State are called cearenses. Jericoacoara is nicknamed Jeri.
Closest airport
Aeropuerto Regional Comandante Ariston Pessoa - Jericoacoara Airport (JJD) - direct flights only from Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte
The closest international airport is located in Fortaleza
Main bus terminal
Busses stop outside town, and from here you must transfer to a 4x4.
How to get to Jeriocoacoara
Jericoacoara can be reached by bus from Fortaleza, the closest major city with frequent bus and flight connections. The new Jericoacoara Airport currently only offers domestic flights to Sao Paolo, Fortaleza, and Parnaiba. From the airport, you will still need to transfer to a 4WD to drive into town.
See all bus connections and find cheap tickets to Jericoacoara
How to get to Jericoacoara from Fortaleza
The bus from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara takes approximately 6 hours (tickets & timetable). It will take you as far as the tourist centre at the park entrance. Here you will be required to pay a tourist tax, based on the number of days you will stay in Jeri. From here, you will need to transfer to a 4WD to drive the final hour to reach the town.
Worried you don't have time to visit Jericoacoara? Take a full day tour from to Jeri from Fortaleza.
Top tours near Jericoacoara
How to get around Jericoacoara
The main way to get around is by foot. Buggys are common for day tours of the harder to reach sites. Horses, or horse and carts can also be rented by the hour.
Things to know before you go to Jericoacoara
Tourist Tax in Jericoacoara
A tourist tax is required to be paid on entry to Jericoacoara. The tax receipt will be checked as you enter town, and again at departure. As of 2024, the tax is R$41.50 and is valid for a stay of up to 10 days. If staying longer than 10 days, you will be required to pay an additional R$4.15 per day.
Is Jericoacoara safe for tourists
Jericoacoara is considered a safe destination for visitors. The atmosphere is relaxed, and it is a very different experience compared to larger Brazilian cities. As with any trip, it is still sensible to follow a few simple precautions, but these are more about peace of mind than real risk.
A few tips to stay safe in Jericoacoara
Keep an eye on your belongings at the beach, or ask someone to watch them if you go for a swim
Don't walk around with large amounts of cash, carry only the cash you need for the day or a credit card
At night, stick to the main streets or paths where other visitors and locals are walking
Ask your pousada or host if you are unsure about the best routes or areas to explore
Travel insurance for Jericoacoara
Travel insurance is not just a nice-to-have, it is an important safety-net that can prevent a stressful incident from turning into an expensive disaster. The reality is that unexpected events can happen on any trip. Even something as simple as missing a connecting flight can lead to unexpected accommodation and transport costs. If you become unwell, medical bills in another country can quickly become expensive. Without insurance, you have to handle all of this on your own in an unfamiliar environment, possibly in a language you do not speak.
I have personally relied on travel insurance multiple times, including when I had belongings stolen in Europe, fell sick while travelling in Asia, and had flights cancelled. In each case, the support I received meant I could focus on solving the problem instead of worrying about costs.
When travelling to Jericoacoara, it is especially important to have travel insurance, as the remote location can make access to specialised medical care more difficult. If you plan to take part in activities such as surfing, kitesurfing, sandboarding, or paragliding, confirm that your policy specifically covers these adventure sports before your trip.
For a small daily cost, you can be covered for a wide range of scenarios, from theft to delayed flights and medical emergencies. Having one phone number to call and a company that deals with the problem for you is worth far more than the price of the policy. I personally use Safety Wing, and I recommend them to friends, family, and anyone travelling internationally. You can get a quote here.
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