Jericoacoara

Brazil's trendy dune-ringed fishing village with unpaved sand streets, sunset dunes, a rock arch, hammocks in Lagoa do Paraíso and world-class kitesurfing.

Jericoacoara ("Jeri" for short) sits on the northwest coast of Ceará state in northeast Brazil, about 300 km from the state capital, Fortaleza. It is a fishing village surrounded by shifting dunes and has been part of Jericoacoara National Park since 2002. Every street in the village is sand, with no paving and dim lighting at night, preserving its hippie fishing-village vibe; in recent years it has become one of Brazil's most popular beach destinations. There are three main ways to explore: walks in and around the village, including sunset from Duna do Pôr do Sol and a coastal walk to the Pedra Furada rock arch and Serrote lighthouse hill; the eastern buggy day trip, linking the Árvore da Preguiça (Lazy Tree), Praia do Preá, Buraco Azul, Lagoa Azul and the hammocks of Lagoa do Paraíso; and the western day trip, crossing the river to see seahorses in the mangroves and driving over the dunes to Lagoa de Tatajuba and Lagoa Grande. July–December is the windy season, when strong, steady trade winds make Jeri a world-class kitesurfing and windsurfing spot; January–June is the rainy season, and the lagoons between the dunes are at their most beautiful once filled by the rains. You can fly into Jericoacoara Airport (in Cruz) or drive about 4–5 hours from Fortaleza; the last stretch requires switching to a 4x4 in Jijoca to reach the village. A Sustainable Tourism Fee (TTA) is charged on entry. Allow 3–5 days; sandals are best for walking on sand, and sunscreen is a must.

Top sights

• Duna do Pôr do Sol – A towering dune on the west side of the village, where the whole village climbs up each evening to watch the sun sink into the Atlantic. Ca…
• Pedra Furada – A natural stone arch formed by sea erosion and the most iconic landmark in Jericoacoara. At low tide, you can walk beneath the arch.
• Lagoa do Paraíso – A large lake where white sand meets clear green freshwater. The hammocks hung in the shallows are among the most famous photo spots in Jeri…
• Praia da Malhada – A small bay on the eastern edge of the village, framed by reef rocks, a surf spot and a resting beach on the way to the Stone Arch.
• Serrote & Farol de Jericoacoara – A lighthouse on the top of a green hill east of the village, overlooking the bay, dunes and the coastline toward the Stone Arch.
• Vila de Jericoacoara & Praia de Jericoacoara – A hippie fishing village on sandy streets, with restaurants and bars lining the main street. The main beach is the center of kitesurfing an…
• Jericoacoara National Park – A coastal national park encircling Jericoacoara village, with moving dunes, mangroves, reefs and seasonal dune lakes.
• Lagoa Azul – A sister lagoon north of Lagoa do Paraíso, with bluer and quieter waters, water hammocks and dune reflections.
• Buraco Azul – A deep blue pool dug out of sand and scrub. Its color like a blue hole has made it a new hotspot on the eastern route.
• Árvore da Preguiça – A tree bent almost flat by constant trade winds, and a must-stop photo spot on Jericoacoara's eastern buggy tours.
• Praia do Preá – A wide, flat beach east of Jericoacoara with steady winds and calm waves, home to world-class kitesurfing spots and resorts.
• Lagoa de Tatajuba – The river-mouth lagoon at the end of the western route from Jericoacoara, reached by raft and explored through the dunes, with seafood at l…
• Lagoa Grande – A large freshwater lake among the western dunes, famous for its water swings and floating hammocks, and often visited together with Tatajub…
• Mangue Seco & Guriú Seahorses – Mangroves at the mouth of the Guriú River, where small boats take visitors to observe wild seahorses, an eco-activity on the western route.

Where to eat

• Tamarindo – An open-air restaurant opened in 2006, with tables under trees strung with lights, serving octopus, prawns and local fi…
• Na Casa Dela do Beco (Beco do Forró) – A retro little restaurant on Beco do Forró, serving candlelit dinners of Mediterranean dishes cooked in a wood-fired ov…
• Dona Amélia – An affordable home-style spot on Rua do Forró, famous for its pineapple prawns and generous portions, with live forró m…

Itineraries

• Route of Emotions: São Luís to Fortaleza – Cross three states to connect historic towns, white sand dunes, lagoons, delta scarlet ibises, and the dunes of Jericoa…
• Ceará Coast: Red Cliffs to Jericoacoara – Using Fortaleza as a hub, explore the red cliffs of the east coast, then head west to the dunes, lagoons, and Jericoaco…