Good to know
Good to Know
- Jericoacoara has consistent, strong winds year-round but most reliable July-January, making it world-class for wind sports.
- The village is car-free with sandy streets; explore by foot, buggy, or ATV. Regular cars must park in Jijoca (20 km away).
- No street lighting in the village creates excellent starry sky viewing, especially on full moon nights over dunes.
- Always use accredited water sports schools with certified instructors; confirmed schools offer multilingual instruction.
- Climbing Pedra Furada is prohibited—it's a fragile natural monument. Observe from the beach or hiking trails instead.
- Bring biodegradable sunscreen in the national park to protect marine ecosystems.
- Ferry crossing the Guriú River (R$30 for two crossings) is necessary to reach west coast attractions.
- Low-tide beach walking is often an easier alternative to dune hiking, especially for the Pedra Furada trail.
- Avoid hiking during peak heat hours (11 am–3 pm); bring plenty of water and sun protection for all outdoor activities.
- Downwind kitesurfing from Preá/Barrinha to Jericoacoara takes approximately 1 hour depending on skill level.
Parks
Jericoacoara National Park
- Description
- 8,850-hectare protected coastal ecosystem featuring dunes, lagoons, beaches, and natural monuments managed by ICMBio. Located 300 km west of Fortaleza, encompasses villages of Jijoca de Jericoacoara, Cruz, and Camocim.
Key Attractions
- Pedra Furada (iconic natural arch carved by wind and waves)
- Duna do Pôr do Sol (Sunset Dune)
- Lagoa do Paraíso (Paradise Lagoon)
- Lagoa Azul (Blue Lagoon)
- Árvore da Preguiça (Sloth Tree)
- Mangue Seco (dry mangrove forest)
Hiking
Pedra Furada Trail (Caminho Da Pedra Furada)
- Difficulty
- Easy to Moderate
- Duration Minutes
- 30
- Notes
- Exposed to sun; bring water and sun protection. Best timed for golden hour sunset.
- Description
- Hike from village to iconic rock formation. Trail passes Praia da Malhada and includes view of natural pool Poço da Princesa. Low-tide beach walk option available.
Farol Do Serrote (Lighthouse Trail)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration Minutes
- 35
- Notes
- Wear comfortable shoes; avoid peak heat hours.
- Description
- Trail to village lighthouse perched on rocky hilltop. Mixed sand and rock path with panoramic coastal views.
Lagoa Do Amâncio Trail
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Notes
- Beautiful for sunset, excellent for those seeking tranquility away from main attractions.
- Description
- Less crowded lagoon accessible via hiking through Jericoacoara National Park. Freshwater formation appearing in rainy season.
Cycling
Vila De Jericoacoara to Guriú Route
- Difficulty
- Difficult/Long
- Distance Miles
- 27.3
- Elevation Gain Feet
- 1633
- Description
- Mountain biking trail through Jericoacoara National Park. Follows seaside through sand, asphalt, and rural terrain; crosses lagoons.
Circumferential Route Through National Park
- Terrain
- Mixed sand, dune fields, coastal paths
- Description
- Various circuits connecting village through dunes, lagoons (Paraíso, Amâncio), Árvore da Preguiça, and Serrote lighthouse
Water Sports
Kitesurfing
- Season Optimal
- July to January
- Wind Conditions
- 20-35 knots
- Difficulty Range
- Beginner to Advanced
- Schools And Certifications
- Certified schools with IKO (International Kiteboarding Organization) and ABK (Brazilian Kitesurfing Association) credentials. Multilingual instruction available (English, French, Spanish, German, Italian).
Spots
Preá & Barrinha
- Description
- 15 km coastal stretch ideal for downwind sessions and flat water at low tide
Lagoa De Guriú
- Description
- Flat water lagoon 6-10 minutes buggy ride from village, perfect for beginners
Tatajuba Lagoon
- Description
- Advanced spot requiring high tide conditions
Pricing
- Lesson Per Hour
- R$190
- Gear Rental Per Day
- R$290
Windsurfing
- Wave Size
- 4-5m offshore
- Season Optimal
- June to February (best August-November)
- Difficulty Range
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Notes
- Main sailing area has flat water inshore with wavelets; true conditions offshore. Reserved area at main beach. Less suitable for complete beginners.
Spots
Main Beach Bay
- Description
- Primary windsurfing location with flat inshore water and offshore waves
Surfing
- Best Conditions
- Small waves at high tide
- Difficulty Range
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Notes
- Best at Praia de Jericoacoara (main beach) with calm waters; Praia da Malhada popular with surfers
Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
- Difficulty Range
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Rental Availability
- Yes
- Notes
- Options for wave riding or touring calm lagoons. Multiple schools offer boards and instruction.
Canoeing/Kayaking
- Highlights
- River tours to observe seahorses in Guriú River mangroves. Guided tours available.
Off Road Tours
Buggy Tours
- Private Tour Pricing
- R$450
- Notes
- Many accommodations arrange buggy transfers; available 2.5-6 hour options
- Description
- Most popular way to explore park and surrounding regions
Routes
East Coast Route
- Pricing
- R$350
- Highlights
- Árvore da Preguiça, Praia do Preá, Lagoa Azul, Lagoa do Paraíso, Lagoa do Amâncio
- Travel time
- 6 hours
- Notes
- Scenic and less adventurous route
West Coast Route
- Pricing
- R$350
- Highlights
- Mangue Seco, Guriú beach with seahorse observation, river ferry crossing, Tatajuba dunes, Lago Grande, slide/toboggan activities
- Travel time
- 6 hours
- Notes
- More rustic and adventurous with wildlife and sand sports
ATV/UTV Tours
- Routes
- East or West coastline options
- Duration Options
- 2.5-5 hours
- Notes
- Customizable based on preference
- Description
- Self-drive or guided UTV experiences with 190+ horsepower vehicles
Tatajuba Area, High Dunes in Western Region
- Activity
- Dune Sledding (Sand Sled)
- Notes
- Popular adrenaline activity, especially at Grande Lagoon with waterslide into lagoon
Other Activities
Sandboarding
- Notes
- Available on dunes throughout the national park
Horseback Riding
- Terrain
- Beaches and dune fields
Rock Formation Viewing
- Site
- Pedra Furada
- Notes
- Climbing or damaging the fragile formation is strictly prohibited. Best visited during July for sunset photographic opportunity.
Capoeira
- Timing
- Evening at main beach
- Notes
- Traditional Brazilian martial art dance performed by locals at sunset daily
Best Visiting Seasons
Dry Season
- Wind
- Strongest August-November, ideal for water sports
- Months
- June to December
- Weather
- Sunny, warm (around 30°C (86°F)), minimal rainfall
- Activities Optimal
- Yes
- Notes
- Generally recommended period; lagoons may dry later in year
Rainy Season
- Months
- January to May
- Weather
- Higher rainfall; typically short bursts at night or early morning
- Best Months
- February-March for fewer crowds
- Water Activities
- Freshwater lagoons full; ideal for lagoon relaxation
- Notes
- Low season pricing; landscape greener
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this nature, parks & outdoor activities research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Jericoacoara
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.