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Brazil🇧🇷 | beachesJericoacoaraSand streets, Pôr do Sol Dune, Pedra Furada, lagoon hammocks | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Jericoacoara
🏆 Top pickbeach ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

The streets of Jericoacoara have no pavement at all, and no car gets in without a 4x4 or buggy transfer, so everything you carry rides over sand. The beach sits in northeast Brazil, in Ceará state, roughly west of Fortaleza on a long coastal stretch. It is clean and the dunes are striking, but the main strip is crowded at sunset and prices run higher than anywhere else nearby. Skip the pricey beachfront restaurants and the packaged buggy tours sold on day one. Go for the dune walk, the kitesurf lagoons and the cheap pousadas a few streets inland. On my first evening I bought tapioca stuffed with coconut and cheese from a street cart for about US$2, and it beat the US$15 plates by the water. The swimming is fine in calm spots, though wind keeps the waves choppy and the surf modest. Snorkeling is limited. A first day could go like this: drop your bag, eat cheap, then climb the dune before the crowd arrives.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 beach in Brazil
Why Jericoacoara should be on your travel list

Jericoacoara beach pulls backpackers because it is one of the few places on the northeast coast where the road simply ends. That forces everyone onto the same sandy lanes, so you meet people easily. Hostel common rooms and evening forró nights fill up quickly, and it is simple to find someone to share a buggy ride with.

The second reason is the wind. From roughly July to January it blows hard and steady, which has made the Jeri kitesurfing lagoons a stop on the kite circuit and a good place to take a beginner lesson. Even if you never fly a kite, watching hundreds of colored sails at Lagoa Paraíso is a fine way to spend an afternoon.

The third is its place on the coast. Many travelers use it as a pause between Fortaleza and the Lençóis Maranhenses, and it works well for that because the … read more 👉
Jericoacoara beach pulls backpackers because it is one of the few places on the northeast coast where the road simply ends. That forces everyone onto the same sandy lanes, so you meet people easily. Hostel common rooms and evening forró nights fill up quickly, and it is simple to find someone to share a buggy ride with.

The second reason is the wind. From roughly July to January it blows hard and steady, which has made the Jeri kitesurfing lagoons a stop on the kite circuit and a good place to take a beginner lesson. Even if you never fly a kite, watching hundreds of colored sails at Lagoa Paraíso is a fine way to spend an afternoon.

The third is its place on the coast. Many travelers use it as a pause between Fortaleza and the Lençóis Maranhenses, and it works well for that because the sunset ritual at the Pôr do Sol dune gives each day a shape. Plan a few nights, not a week, unless you kite.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Pôr do Sol Dune: This tall dune at the west end of the beach is the sight everyone searches for. Locals and travelers climb it every evening, drinks in hand, and capoeira circles sometimes form at the base. Arrive early to find a spot on the crest.
  2. Pedra Furada: A rock arch carved by the sea, a walk of about an hour along the shore from town at low tide. The hole in the cliff glows at certain hours, and the walk passes quiet sand with few people.
  3. Lagoa do Paraíso: A freshwater lagoon behind the dunes, with hammocks set in the shallows so you can drink a cold beer while sitting in the water. The color shifts from green to turquoise with the season. Kite students use the shallows when the wind is up.
  4. Kitesurfing and windsurfing: The steady wind and flat water make the lagoon areas suited to learning.
… read more 👉
  1. Pôr do Sol Dune: This tall dune at the west end of the beach is the sight everyone searches for. Locals and travelers climb it every evening, drinks in hand, and capoeira circles sometimes form at the base. Arrive early to find a spot on the crest.
  2. Pedra Furada: A rock arch carved by the sea, a walk of about an hour along the shore from town at low tide. The hole in the cliff glows at certain hours, and the walk passes quiet sand with few people.
  3. Lagoa do Paraíso: A freshwater lagoon behind the dunes, with hammocks set in the shallows so you can drink a cold beer while sitting in the water. The color shifts from green to turquoise with the season. Kite students use the shallows when the wind is up.
  4. Kitesurfing and windsurfing: The steady wind and flat water make the lagoon areas suited to learning. Schools in town run lessons, and the main beach offers more advanced waves for those who ride well.
  5. Rua Principal and forró nights: The sandy main street fills after dark with crepe stands, live music and dancing. It is a casual night, with no need to dress up, and it is where you will meet fellow travelers.
If you only have one day, the Pôr do Sol Dune is the best choice, because it costs nothing, takes ten minutes to reach and puts you among everyone else.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Jericoacoara

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🌤️ When to go?Best time to visit Jericoacoara

  • Dry Season (July to January): Rain nearly vanishes and the trade winds blow steadily, so days run 28 to 31°C (82 to 88°F) with cooler, breezy evenings. Wind is strongest from August to December, which is prime kitesurf and windsurf time.
  • Rainy Season (February to May): Showers hit hardest in March and April, often as short afternoon downpours. Temperatures stay similar, around 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F). The dunes and lagoons fill up and turn green, prices drop 20 to 40 percent, and many days are still sunny.
  • Peak Crowds: Late December through January, Carnival, and July school holidays fill the village and push beds to their highest prices. Book weeks ahead.
  • Daylight: Close to the equator, days stay at roughly 12 hours all year, so sunset timing barely shifts.
Arrive in September or early November … read more 👉
  • Dry Season (July to January): Rain nearly vanishes and the trade winds blow steadily, so days run 28 to 31°C (82 to 88°F) with cooler, breezy evenings. Wind is strongest from August to December, which is prime kitesurf and windsurf time.
  • Rainy Season (February to May): Showers hit hardest in March and April, often as short afternoon downpours. Temperatures stay similar, around 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F). The dunes and lagoons fill up and turn green, prices drop 20 to 40 percent, and many days are still sunny.
  • Peak Crowds: Late December through January, Carnival, and July school holidays fill the village and push beds to their highest prices. Book weeks ahead.
  • Daylight: Close to the equator, days stay at roughly 12 hours all year, so sunset timing barely shifts.
Arrive in September or early November for steady wind, thinner crowds and lower rates than the holiday weeks.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: good for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: good for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Brazil

The village center, a few sandy streets back from the main beach, is where most backpackers sleep. Everything sits within a 10 minute walk, so you never need a vehicle. Expect dorm beds from roughly US$15 to 30 outside peak weeks, and well over US$40 around New Year and Carnival.
The streets around Rua Principal and the lanes leading to the beach suit solo travelers best. Evening life happens here, with restaurants, forró nights and capoeira on the sand, and it is easy to fall into conversation at shared tables. Hostels here cluster tightly, so you can look at a few on foot before choosing.
The … read more 👉
The village center, a few sandy streets back from the main beach, is where most backpackers sleep. Everything sits within a 10 minute walk, so you never need a vehicle. Expect dorm beds from roughly US$15 to 30 outside peak weeks, and well over US$40 around New Year and Carnival.
The streets around Rua Principal and the lanes leading to the beach suit solo travelers best. Evening life happens here, with restaurants, forró nights and capoeira on the sand, and it is easy to fall into conversation at shared tables. Hostels here cluster tightly, so you can look at a few on foot before choosing.
The western edge toward the dune is quieter and cheaper, good if you want sleep over socializing. Sunset on the Sunset Dune is a short walk away, though the soft sand makes the last stretch slow.
Kitesurfers often prefer the eastern side near the lagoon and wind-facing shore, where guesthouses are scattered and rooms are simpler. Transfers to Preá, about 15 minutes by buggy, offer cheaper stays and strong wind, but fewer people and little nightlife.
The village has no cars in its sandy streets, so pack light. Booking ahead matters from December to February.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Jericoacoara beach is a safe, well-used beach, and the village is among the calmer tourist spots in the northeast. Swimming in front of the village is usually fine, with moderate waves and a gentle slope, though the shoreline shifts with the tides and can create short, strong pulls near the water’s edge. Stay within sight of other swimmers, and note that there are no regular lifeguards. Kitesurfers and windsurfers use the waters farther out, so keep clear of their lanes.
The sun is the biggest daily hazard. The wind hides how hot it is, and sunburn arrives quickly between late morning and mid-afternoon, so bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and water. Jellyfish are uncommon.
Petty theft happens occasionally, mostly from unattended bags on the sand. Keep phones and cash with you rather than leaving … read more 👉
Jericoacoara beach is a safe, well-used beach, and the village is among the calmer tourist spots in the northeast. Swimming in front of the village is usually fine, with moderate waves and a gentle slope, though the shoreline shifts with the tides and can create short, strong pulls near the water’s edge. Stay within sight of other swimmers, and note that there are no regular lifeguards. Kitesurfers and windsurfers use the waters farther out, so keep clear of their lanes.
The sun is the biggest daily hazard. The wind hides how hot it is, and sunburn arrives quickly between late morning and mid-afternoon, so bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and water. Jellyfish are uncommon.
Petty theft happens occasionally, mostly from unattended bags on the sand. Keep phones and cash with you rather than leaving them while you swim. Walking on the sand after dark is common and relaxed, but stick to the lit streets for the trip back. Check tide times before walking to the rocks or the dune by the shoreline.

FAQTraveler FAQ

Jericoacoara beach is reached by road from Jijoca de Jericoacoara, where the paved route ends, and the last 25 km or so is soft sand that only 4x4 trucks and buggies cross. Fortaleza is the usual starting point: shared transfers and the Fretcar-style shuttle vans take about 5 to 6 hours and cost roughly US$30 to 45 one way, while a seat in a 4x4 from Jijoca runs about US$4 to 8 for the 30 to 40 minute ride. Buses from Fortaleza to Jijoca take around 6 to 7 hours for US$20 to 30, and the nearest airport, Jericoacoara-Comandante Ariston Pessoa in Cruz, sits about 30 km from Jijoca for faster arrivals.
Swimming is fine on calm days at Jericoacoara beach, but the sea turns choppy with trade winds from July to January, so locals favor the sheltered stretch near the lighthouse side and Malhada. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are the main draw, with steady wind and lessons at about US$50 to 80 an hour, and the best conditions run roughly July to January. Surfing is possible on small waves near Pedra Furada and the point break at the western end, while snorkeling is limited because the water is cloudy and visibility is low, so most people skip it for the freshwater lagoons such as Lagoa Azul and Paraíso, where a half-day buggy tour costs around US$15 to 30 per person.
Jericoacoara beach itself is free to enter, and you can walk, swim and watch the sunset from the big dune without paying anything. The village sits inside Jericoacoara National Park, and the town of Jijoca charges a sustainable tourism fee (TTS) of about US$8 per person for stays of up to 10 days. Other costs are optional: buggy tours to Pedra Furada and the lagoons run about US$15 to 30 per person, and a beach chair with a drink at a barraca usually means buying something around US$3 to 6.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Brazilian beaches near Jericoacoara

Explore more nearby:

  • Canoa Quebrada—Red cliffs, moon-and-star emblem, dune buggies, kitesurf wind| 366 km away
  • Praia da Pipa—Dolphin bay, Praia do Amor, cliff reserve, Madeiro cove| 716 km away
  • Porto de Galinhas—Reef pools, jangada rafts, low-tide snorkeling, tapioca kiosks| 878 km away

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on visiting Jericoacoara

Most first-timers rush to the dune and skip the quiet east end of Jericoacoara beach, where fishing boats rest on the sand and the crowds thin out. I would walk there in the morning, then save the busy sunset climb for a second evening when you know the route.

✈️ When did I visit Brazil?
Call it good timing or luck, but I was able to celebrate Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro in February 2022, after a round trip in the north and east coast.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Brazil, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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