Beautiful white sand beaches, palm trees, high sand dunes and relaxed village life await you in Jericoacoara, a small tropical paradise in the Atlantic coast of Brazil that is the home of one of the best beaches in the world. Besides picture-perfect beaches and plenty of sunshine, “Jeri” also offers excellent conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing, beautiful sunsets, warm waters and a lively nightlife.
Wide sandy beach located in the coast of Northeast Brazil in the Brazilian state of Ceará, Jericoacoara, also known simply as Jeri, is an isolated village that is best known for its beautiful beaches and surfing opportunities. Once a sleepy fishing village, Jericoacoara was discovered for tourism in the 1980s and became famous in 1994 when its wide white sand beach was nominated as one of the top 10 beaches in the world. Located within a national park of the same name, Jeri has only had electricity since 1998, and there are still no paved roads to the area. All this is part of the magic of Jericoacoara that has now developed into one of the most popular beach holiday destinations in Brazil.
Water sports. Of the water sports available, windsurfing in Jericoacoara is most popular, as the Atlantic coast here provides perfect opportunities for this sport. Kitesurfing in Jericoacoara is best in the nearby beach of Prea that also has kitesurfing schools available. Sailing is also available in Jeri. Swimming is not that great along the beach in Jericoacoara, as the water is quite shallow, but it is better in the clear freshwater lagoons located all over the dunes around the village.
Sand dunes & sunsets. Jericoacoara is located in a national park of the same name, offering visitors beautiful surroundings of large mobile sand dunes, crystal-clear lagoons and many beautiful beaches such as Prea, Tatajuba and Malhada beaches. Some popular attractions in Jericoacoara beyond the beach include the stone arc called Pedra Furada, the Blue Lagoon and the Sunset Dune, where visitors gather to see the famous Jeri sunsets to the ocean. The Serrote Hill lighthouse and the nearby small villages of Mangue Seco and Guriu are also nice places to visit around Jericoacoara.
Wide sandy beach located in the coast of Northeast Brazil in the Brazilian state of Ceará, Jericoacoara, also known simply as Jeri, is an isolated village that is best known for its beautiful beaches and surfing opportunities. Once a sleepy fishing village, Jericoacoara was discovered for tourism in the 1980s and became famous in 1994 when its wide white sand beach was nominated as one of the top 10 beaches in the world. Located within a national park of the same name, Jeri has only had electricity since 1998, and there are still no paved roads to the area. All this is part of the magic of Jericoacoara that has now developed into one of the most popular beach holiday destinations in Brazil.
Jericoacoara attractions and activities: beaches, dunes, surfing & sun
The main attractions in Jericoacoara are its wide beach, noted internationally in the 1990s as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, as well as the calm lagoons, large sand dunes and favorable conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The calm and simple village life is also one of the attractions of Jeri. Guided hiking tours in Jericocoara are available in many hotels and guesthouses in Jeri, and there are some shops for handicraft and souvenir shopping as well.Water sports. Of the water sports available, windsurfing in Jericoacoara is most popular, as the Atlantic coast here provides perfect opportunities for this sport. Kitesurfing in Jericoacoara is best in the nearby beach of Prea that also has kitesurfing schools available. Sailing is also available in Jeri. Swimming is not that great along the beach in Jericoacoara, as the water is quite shallow, but it is better in the clear freshwater lagoons located all over the dunes around the village.
Sand dunes & sunsets. Jericoacoara is located in a national park of the same name, offering visitors beautiful surroundings of large mobile sand dunes, crystal-clear lagoons and many beautiful beaches such as Prea, Tatajuba and Malhada beaches. Some popular attractions in Jericoacoara beyond the beach include the stone arc called Pedra Furada, the Blue Lagoon and the Sunset Dune, where visitors gather to see the famous Jeri sunsets to the ocean. The Serrote Hill lighthouse and the nearby small villages of Mangue Seco and Guriu are also nice places to visit around Jericoacoara.
Jericoacoara travel information and practical tips
The climate in Jericoacoara is tropically warm throughout the year with plenty of sun most times of the year and a pleasant cooling breeze from the ocean.
Photo: Alberto Perdomo, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
The weather in Jericoacoara is sunny and warm with no rain from July to November, which is also the best time for windsurfing and kitesurfing in Jeri, and a minor rainy season from February to May with rainfall mostly at night.
Traveling to Jericoacoara is done usually via Fortaleza, the capital city of Ceará. Fortaleza has an international airport with flights to Brazil from both Europe and North America. From there, travel to Jericoacoara can be done by road with a bus, minibus or private car. The last part of the 300 km road trip needs to be done driving on sand. Package trips and helicopter flights to Jericoacoara are also available from Fortaleza. The streets of the village are made of sand, and walking is the main way to get around in Jeri. Car rental in Jericocoara is available for dune buggies that can take you to nearby areas.
Basic services. There is an increasing number of hotels in Jericoacoara as well as affordable guesthouses and rental apartments. Although the presence of electricity now allows air conditioning and internet access, most services in Jeri are still rather basic. There are no banks of money exchange in Jericoacoara. The many restaurants in Jericoacoara serve mainly local seafood, and there are plenty of small bars and beach parties for nightlife in Jeri. The absence of street lighting in the village makes it possible to see the moon and the stars at night. As tourism is the main economic activity in Jeri, some English is spoken by many locals. It is still good to know some Portuguese as well.
Safety. Jercioacoara is a small place that is much safer than the big cities in Brazil. However, crime is not totally unknown here either, so take good care of your belongings and do not wander off to isolated places at night.
