Things to do and see in Jericoacoara Brazil

If you’re looking to disconnect from the world and forget about everything, Jericoacoara is the place for you. Jericoacoara means “house of turtles” in the indigenous Tupi language, and is a municipality located on the coast of the state of Ceará in Brazil. Twenty years ago it was just a small isolated fishing village with difficult access, but today it has become a popular tourist destination where people from all over the world travel to windsurf and kitesurf. But that’s not all, there is much more to see in Jericoacoara. The municipality gives its name to the surrounding national park, where you can stroll along paradisiacal beaches, ride a jeep or enjoy the local gastronomy and atmosphere.

Jericoacoara’s must-see places

This town of just 4,000 inhabitants is characterised by its surfing, alternative and hippie atmosphere. Did you know that the streets are not asphalted? It’s all sand, so no cars circulate. The town is very tastefully decorated and it is a pleasure to walk through its irregular streets. Many agree that the best thing is the nightlife. The nightlife is lively, there is live music, bars, and in general, a very pleasant atmosphere with candlelight and the dim lighting of the shops because there is no street lighting in the village. Jericoacoara is not very big and can be seen in a day. However, excursions throughout the national park can be organised from the village and other activities such as kitesurfing, windsurfing, capoeira and jiu jitsu workshops can be arranged.

The postcard-perfect views of Jericoacoara National Park offer several options for tourists who want to have a good time and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

1. Pedra Furada

This large rock with a hole in the middle is the ideal place to watch the sunset and take spectacular photos. You can walk from the village, either along the beach or across the hill. If you choose to walk along the beach, make sure the tide is low. It’s the perfect hike for a cloudy day, but if not, we recommend you bring sun cream and a hat.

2. The beaches of Jericoacoara Brazil

There is much to see in Jericoacoara, but its beaches are undoubtedly the biggest tourist attraction for their natural beauty. We recommend you visit Duna do Pôr do Sol, Poço da Princesa, Pedra Furada, Praia da Malhada and Preá. The best time to walk is at low tide, at some beaches up to 200 metres, because there is plenty of space and the water barely covers your ankles. The constant temperatures between 20ºC  and 30ºC, and winds of around 40km/hour, make these beaches the ideal place for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Have you ever tried it? For beginners or to perfect your technique we recommend the courses offered by Kitesurfando or Love2kitebrasil. Visiting the beaches is free, but if you want to make the most of the experience, you can rent a sun lounger with umbrella for 5 reais (€0.8) an hour.

3. Duna do Pôr do Sol

The Duna do Pôr do Sol is the best place to watch the sunset. From the top you can enjoy views of the village, the sea and the sky, which is painted in shades of orange between 17:30h and 18:00h in the evening. So run and grab a spot, because as the sun goes down, the dune fills up with tourists ready for the spectacle. You can also take a stroll or go sandboarding.

4. Paradise Lagoon

If you’re looking for a moment of relaxation, we recommend you visit this lagoon of turquoise waters. It’s a bit far from the village, so it’s recommended that you take a buggy there for the day. Find your deckchair and enjoy the views and the tranquillity that the lagoon has to offer. You can also enjoy its gastronomy in the many restaurants around the lagoon.

5. Excursions from Jericoacoara Brazil

The sights to see in Jericoacoara are a little far apart, so several companies in the municipality organise full-day excursions that take you to the main points of interest in the national park and include lunch. These companies offer two types of excursions, which include the following:

West Jericoacoara Tour

• Mangue seco
• Guriú
• Tatajuba Dunes
• Duna do Pôr do Sol

East Route of Jericoacoara

• Pedra Furada
• Árvore da PreguiÇa
• Blue Lagoon
• Paradise Lagoon
• Barrinha

The price of the excursions varies according to the route, the type of vehicle hired or the tour company. Also, if you don’t want to do the entire routes, some companies offer the option of visiting a specific place such as the Blue Lagoon, Barrinha or the dunes for around 20 reais one way (€3.2). We recommend that you ask. Routes take between 5 and 6 hours, and the alternatives for travel are:

• Buggy for 4 people: between 300-350 reais (€47-56)
• 4×4 or “jardinera”: 60 reais per person (€9.5)
• Quad: 330-350 reais including two vehicles and guide (€52-55)

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What things to do in Jericoacoara Brazil in 3 days

Three days is more than enough time to visit all the sights without stress and forget about the world while lying in a hammock by the sea. It’s simply a matter of organisation. Our recommendation is to spend the first two days doing the 6-hour west and east tours, so you’ll have time to hang out on the beach and enjoy Jericoacoara’s nightlife. The last day can be spent doing one of the sports for which the beaches have become so famous: kitesurfing or windsurfing. Or you can try sandboarding in the dunes, capoeira at sunset or jiu jitsu. In the village you can rent the equipment and sign up for courses according to level.

Where to stay in Jericoacoara Brazil

Jericoacoara is a small town with no room to grow as the surrounding national park is protected. As a result, the price of accommodation is not exactly cheap. When making your choice, we recommend that you bear in mind that hotels or pousadas on the beach or near the main street are the most expensive, and you’ll hear the noise of the bars at night. This is the case for example of the pousadas Casa Areia or Casa na Praia. Here is our selection of hotels, charming inns and budget accommodation.

Hotels for a luxury experience:

• Blue Residence: the perfect hotel for a romantic getaway. It includes all kinds of luxuries such as a swimming pool, gym and spa. Rooms from €165 a night.
• Chilli Beach Private Resort: Luxury hotel to make the most of your stay in Jericoacoara. Rooms from €470 per night.
• Vila Kalango: charming flats perfectly integrated into nature and right on the beach from €163 per night.
• My Blue: 50 metres from the beach, this hotel includes all amenities from

Posadas and other more economical options:

• Ibirapuera: fully equipped rooms and swimming pool from €46 a night.
• Camino da Praia: Very quiet pousada, perfect for getting away from it all, from €70 a night.
• Pousada Ponta da Pedra: Budget beachfront accommodation from €66 per night.
• Airbnb: a cheaper option that lets you meet the locals of Jericoacoara.

Where to eat in Jericoacoara Brazil

Eating well in Jericoacoara is not a problem. As an old fishing village, the best dishes are made from fish and seafood, stews such as pirão or peixada cearens, stingray cakes… But if you’re not a fish lover, don’t worry, you’ll also find traditional dishes based on veal such as panelada or chicken such as galinha caipira. Beans, rice and manioc flour are the most common accompaniments. Desserts abound in tropical fruit flavours; coconut, mango, guava… We recommend trying the rapadura, which can be flavoured with coconut or chestnuts. Eating in restaurants can cost between 30 and 100 reais per head (€5-16), but if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, you can eat at fast-food stalls on the street or beach, or a supermarket. The biggest supermarket is called Tem de Tudo and is on the main street. It also delivers to your door for free.

Here’s a list of some of our favourite restaurants:

• Na Casa Nela: restaurant with original and colourful decoration. The menu is not very varied, but the price is quite affordable: 30-40 reais per person.
• Sabor da Terra: A charming restaurant with soft lighting and a sandy floor. Portions are plentiful, and the price is around 35 reais per person.
• Peixe Brasileiro: One of the best places to eat seafood in Jericoacoara, but a bit pricey at 50 reais per person.
• Naturalmente: A restaurant specialising in sweet and savoury crêpes. It’s a cheap alternative for lunch.

How to get to Jericoacoara

Jericoacoara is a fairly isolated place, so getting there is not easy. The best option is to fly into Ariston Pessoa Regional Airport, 32 km from the town, and hire a shuttle service. It is not possible to get there by private vehicle because access is restricted. The roads are not asphalted, so it is more common to see donkeys or horses in the village than cars. The following possibilities have appropriate vehicles that can reach the village.

• Private transfer: 240 reais per vehicle (€39). It takes about 1h to get there.
• Shared transfer: 60 reais per person (€9.5). It takes about 1h to get there.
• Taxi to Jijoca + jardinière to Jericoacoara: 60 reais + 20 reais per person (€9,5+3,2 €)
• Regular buses from nearby cities + jardinière: Parnaíba, Barreirinhas, or Fortaleza.

Travel tips for Jericoacoara

• Book accommodation and excursions in advance.
• Even if you’re going to the beach, wear comfortable shoes for the excursions.
• Remember to exchange money before you set off on your trip. The Brazilian real is used in Brazil.
• To stay in Jericoacoara you must pay an Environmental Prevention Fee if you’re between 13 and 59 years old. The fee can be paid online or once at the destination.
• Jericoacoara is a safe place, but just in case, keep an eye on your belongings.
• Beware of unlabelled products at street stalls.
• Buy travel insurance for medical expenses.
• The best time to visit Jericoacoara is between June and December.
• We don’t recommend going between March and May because it’s the rainy season, and in January and February the price of accommodation is more expensive because of the holidays.
• In Brazil the plugs are N-type, the common voltage is 127/220 V and the frequency is 60 Hz.

Organise your trip, so you don’t miss anything to see in Jericoacoara

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Frequently asked questions about a trip to Jericoacoara Brazil