1. Take kitesurfing lessons in Jericoacoara or Preá
Jericoacoara and its neighboring town, Preá, are world-famous kitesurfing destinations. These villages, especially Preá, are blessed with the perfect conditions for kitesurfers: warm waters and a consistent and predictable cross-shore wind.
These conditions can be found primarily between July and February, with the strongest winds blowing between August and November. If you are visiting outside this window it may be difficult to find schools and accommodations geared towards kitesurfers since many close down for the off-season.
Managing expectations
Unlike surfing or bodyboarding, first-timers won’t be in the water during the first lesson. The fundamentals of the sport are taught on the beach over several hours, typically during 2 separate classes.
If you are brand-new to the sport, plan on dedicating several days of your trip to a course if the goal is to leave Jeri having kitesurfed in the water.
If you are only passing through Jeri and don’t intend to spend multiple days focused on kitesurfing, just taking 1 or 2 lessons on the beach may not be very appealing at the cost of enjoying other aspects of your trip.
However, if just dipping your toes into the basics of kitesurfing is worth it to you, Jeri and Preá are some of the best places in the world to do so.
In Jeri and Preá there are certified and experienced instructors, dependable wind conditions, and safe learning environments on the beach and in the shallow bays. All of this is set to the amazing backdrop of Jericoacoara and Preá. You will always remember your first kitesurfing lesson here.
Where to take lessons
The kitesurfing schools in this region of Brazil are very international – almost all offer instruction in several languages including English, French, and Spanish. You can schedule private or semi-private lessons and rent all necessary gear at the schools.
Schools in Jericoacoara:
Schools in Preá:
Most schools in Preá also offer a room and board rate in addition to lessons. This would be best for visitors who want to focus primarily on learning or honing their kitesurfing skills.
If you are still looking to enjoy or learn a new water sport but think kitesurfing entails too much, many schools that teach kitesurfing also have SUP and surfboards for rent.
2. Hike to Pedra Furada and the Jericoacoara Lighthouse
Pedra Furada is the postcard of Jericoacoara and a must-see site while visiting. The hike to reach the enormous arched rock is worthwhile and super enjoyable.
Pedra Furada or “Pireced Stone” is a naturally carved rock feature formed over time by the ocean. It is found on the beach in an area of Jeri called the “rocky region” or região rochosa due to the many large rocks on the beach and in the water.
Visiting Pedra Furada can be done in a few different ways. The most popular option is to walk from the village taking one of three different trails.
Two of the trails start at the Pedra Furada trailhead, just 10 minutes walking from the village center.
A third trail is only accessible during low tides and follows the coastline from Malhada Beach to Pedra Furada.
If you don’t want to walk to Pedra Furada, boat tours depart daily from Jeri’s beach to see the rock formation. Look for signs on the beach or in the village to schedule your tour.
Hiking to Pedra Furada from the Trailhead
This well-marked trail offers two routes to reach the arched rock: Serrote Lighthouse Trail (Trilha do Farol Serrote) and the Pedra Furada Trail (Trilha da Pedra Furada).
Both trails start from the same trailhead, but the Serrote Lighthouse Trail veers to the right towards the lighthouse shortly after the start.
This option is nearly twice as long but brings hikers past the Jericoacoara Lighthouse (Farol de Jericoacoara) and rewards them with amazing views of Preá’s beach. It’s 2 miles from the trailhead to Pedra Furada taking the Serrote Lighthouse Trail.
The Pedra Furada Trail is only 1 mile and bypasses the lighthouse and views of Preá. The trail is a short climb over the hill and swiftly descends right to the foot of Pedra Furada.
Hiking to Pedra Furada from Malhada Beach
If you prefer to avoid the steep walk to Pedra Furada from the village trailhead, the other option is to follow the coastline from Malhada Beach to Pedra Furada.
This path is only available during low tides and can be dangerous during high tides. It takes 40 minutes to walk from Malhada Beach to Pedra Furada.
The best trail to Pedra Furada
If you’re an avid hiker, I recommend following this route which takes the Serrote Lighthouse Trail past the lighthouse, down to the beach and over to the Pedra Furada, and then follows the coast back to the village via Malhada Beach. This loop is 4.5 miles of fairly easy walking and amazing views.
Buggies and 4x4s cannot be used to reach Pedra Furada.
3. Spend the day at the beach in Jericoacoara
Calm waters and slightly more protected from the wind that afflicts Preá’s beach, the main beach in Jericoacoara is a pleasant way to spend a morning or afternoon during your vacation.
Jericoacoara’s Beach is not the most beautiful in Brazil but this is the spot if you’re craving a beach day during your stay in the village. On the beach, beachgoers can rent chairs and umbrellas, and beach bars and restaurants serve tropical drinks and fried seafood right to your chair.
Check out Malhada Beach if you want a more remote, nature-forward beach within walking distance of the village.
Pairing a beach day with a hike to Pedra Furada and a little shopping in the village is the perfect way to spend a laid-back, non-tour day in Jericoacoara.
Just remember to grab sunscreen and a towel from your hotel before hitting the beach!
4. Explore the Jericoacoara National Park & nearby region
The Jericoacoara National Park is the most famous attraction in the region. The park stretches 34 square miles and encompasses blue freshwater lagoons, rugged coastlines, endless golden dunes, and groves of palms.
Since tourists are strongly advised against driving their own cars into the national park, Jericoacoara’s tourism agencies have created two tours that allow you to see almost all of the national park plus a few other special places.
The 2 most popular tours
When researching the tours you will see them referred to as the east coast (litoral leste) of Jericoacoara and the west coast (litoral oeste) of Jericoacoara.
Each tour takes the whole day, usually starting around 9 am, and returning to the village by 4 pm.
Tours are done in a buggy (4 tourists plus driver), a pick-up truck with safari-style seating in the truck bed (shared groups/solo travelers), or an SUV (small private groups).
While exploring the east coast, you can extend the tour to Barrinhas Dune, a spectacular sunset location. If you opt for the extension, plan to return to the village between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Primary Attractions on the East Coast + Extended Version to Barrinhas Dune
- Amâncio Lagoon: One of the most picturesque lagoons in Jericoacoara. It is only present after the rainy season. Similar to the lagoons found in Lençois Maranhenses National Park.
- Paraíso Lagoon and the Alchymist Beach Club*: When it’s not too windy, Paraíso Lagoon is a delightful way to pass a couple hours lounging by the lagoon or in one of the hammocks hung in the blue-green waters. There are several beach clubs and restaurants around the lagoon. The most popular is The Alchymist. Try to get here early to snag one of the best spots close to the water.
- Buraco Azul*: An accidental man-made lagoon formed in 2018 after intense rainfall in the region. The water is bright blue due to the high levels of calcium carbonate found in the earth here. Amenities include a restaurant, bar, and many cheesy photo opportunities. You can also schedule a quick helicopter tour of the area at Buraco Azul.
- Preá Beach: Preá is famous for its laidback fishing village vibe and kitesurfing. If you want to eat lunch in Preá ask your buggy driver to take you to Vivendo do Mar. Order the locally caught shrimp and lobster with a cold Corona beer.
- Árvore da Preguiça or “The Lazy Tree”: An enormous wind-blown tree on the beach. This is a photo-op stop on the tour. The tree can be visited during the day or at night. The tour guides use their headlights for a cool effect if it is the last stop on your tour after the sunset in Barrinha.
- Komakí Restaurante and Barrinhas Dune*: If you choose to do the extended East Coast tour, your buggy driver will take you to Komakí for happy hour drinks on the beach and then bring you to the best spot in Jericoacoara to watch the sunset – Barrinhas Dune (Duna de Barrinhas)
Primary Attractions on the West Coast
- Canoe through the Guriú River to see seahorses (cavalos-marinhos) *: ICMBio, Brazil’s leading environmental conservation organization, runs a tour that allows tourists to view the seahorses that live amongst the mangrove trees in the Guriú River.
- The Dried Mangrove Forest (mangue seco) on Guriú Beach: Once you arrive at Guriú Beach west of Jeri, you will encounter the mythical dried mangrove trees that look petrified from the sun. This stop is mostly a photo-op. Sometimes vendors are selling crafty goods nearby.
- Dune Sledding and Grande Lagoon with Waterslide in Tatajuba*: Kids and adventure-seeking adults love these two stops on the west coast tour. Get your adrenaline going as you descend one of the highest dunes in the park on a sand sled and at the Grande Lagoon there is a huge slip and slide into the lagoon.
- Casa Uca Hotel Beach Club*: Combine parts of the West Coast tour with a stop for lunch and a dip in the pool at the trendy Casa Uca Hotel. More details about Casa Uca Hotel Beachclub under #6.
*There is an extra fee associated with these activities
For more information about these tours check out my blog – How to Visit Jericoacoara: A Seaside Oasis in Brazil.
5. Don’t miss a sunset in Jericoacoara
Jeircoacoara is the most northern part of Ceará and the village beach faces the west. Its unique positioning grants the most amazing sunsets directly over the ocean, a fairly uncommon sight in Brazil. There are four incredible places in Jericoacoara to catch the sunset:
- Duna do Pôr do Sol: The most popular place to applaud the sun as it sets over the ocean. You will need to walk up to the top of the dune but the views are worth it.
- Duna de Barrinhas: One of the most special places I have ever seen the sunset. Between the golden dunes, groves of palm trees, sparkling ocean, and overall serenity, seeing the sunset from Barrinhas Dune is a must-do while in Jeri.
- Pedra Furada: During July, the sunset lines up almost perfectly in the window of Pedra Furada. Time your hike to Pedra Furada accordingly so you don’t miss the special moment.
- Jericoacoara Beach: The easiest location to catch the sunset in Jeri. Enjoy the final light of the day on the sand or head to one of these restaurants to have a drink with a view: Bar do Alexandre on the beach, the rooftop at Café Jeri, or the rooftop at Pousada Vila Gallina.
Check the daily sunset times in Jericoacoara.
6. Relax at the trendy Casa Uca Hotel in Guriú
If you are searching for a relaxing resort day outside the village, Casa Uca Hotel Beachclub is the perfect respite. Casa Uca is 30 minutes by buggy from Jericoacoara in Guriú.
The hotel’s natural driftwood look is designed to harmonize with its surrounding environment and highlight Guriú’s unique setting. The resort has lovely views of the Guriú River and the ocean.
The atmosphere at the Beachclub is peaceful and zen-like. The pool deck is thoughtfully designed, and built around large trees that provide shade during hot days in Guriú.
Visitors can choose to recline in one of the plush, leopard-printed loungers or reserve a table. From a lounger, you can spend the day watching as the tide rises and falls, enjoy a juicy beach read, or take a siesta.
The menu at Casa Uca is inspired by Ceará cuisine. Try the grilled local lobster with banana ceviche, braised octopus with beet hummus, or a burger with Brazilian coalho cheese.
Casa Uca’s bar serves handcrafted cocktails using premium, fresh ingredients, which are perfect for a day in the sun or on the water.
Casa Uca Hotel Beachclub logistics
If you do not have a ride already arranged, your hotel or Casa Uca can schedule a buggy to take you from the village to Casa Uca. Roundtrip, the buggy costs R$400.
During the drive from Jeri to Casa Uca, your buggy or SUV crosses the Guriú River using the single-car ferry. The ferry costs R$30 for two crossings.
If you don’t want to spend the entire day at Casa Uca, it is possible to reserve just lunch or a half day at the hotel. Many visitors tour a portion of the west coast of Jeri in the morning and then spend the remainder of the day at Casa Uca.
To reserve a lounger at the pool, Casa Uca requires R$200 at booking. When you reserve, you can select which lounger or table you want from the deck layout map. The loungers in the very front, facing the river, are only available for hotel guests.
7. Listen to Forró on Rua do Forró
In Jericoacoara, and throughout Northeast Brazil, Forró is the most popular genre of music. You will hear it being played just about everywhere you go – in Ubers, bars, your hotel lobby, grocery stores, and on street corners!
To complicate things, forró is also a “place” where people go to dance forró. So if a Brazilian is talking to you about “forró” expect there to be music, dancing, and a good time.
Dona Amélia Restaurante on the Beco do Forró or Forró Alley has always been the traditional spot to enjoy forró in Jeri.
Newer event spaces like Quintal Jericoacoara and Espaço Serramar Jeri have live music almost every night of the week in Jericoacoara too.
Learn more about Forró here.
8. Spoil yourself with a shopping spree at one of the many beach boutiques
When you arrive at the airport in Jericoacoara, you’ll probably notice the tourists who have just wrapped up their time in Jeri all rocking t-shirts, dresses, hats and bags with some iteration of “Jericoacoara” written on them. This is the most popular swag to take home and show off where you’ve just been.
Besides the touristy shops, selling mostly knickknacks, there are some popular clothing boutiques scattered throughout the village. Below are a few of my favorite places to shop in Jeri.
Cipó Jeir: Tiny shop that sells handwoven goods like purses, bags, and mats. Cipó means vine in Portuguese.
Greenish: A Brazilian surf and clothing brand with storefronts in a few of Brazil’s most beautiful locations like Jericoacoara and Fernando de Noronha. Their store in Jeri has great beach staples like linen shirts, sundresses, bikinis, and boardies.
Jericoacoara Republic: A fun shop offering brightly colored Jericoacoara t-shirts, tank tops, and hats plus beachy, boutique clothes from local brands.
Café Jeri Store: Just below the Café Jeri is the hotel boutique with beach sand for flooring. In addition to selling fun t-shirts and hats with the classic Jeri sayings on it, Café Jeri Store has attractive beach attire for men and women.
Casa Rosa: A small boutique with bold, tropical designs for men and women.
There are several more fun shops to browse on Beco do Guaxelo.
Jericoacoara is the perfect place to mix relaxation with adventure in one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Brazil. For more help and ideas for your trip planning, check out my complete guide to visiting Jericoacoara.
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