Things to do in Jericoacoara
In the extreme north of Brazil, you’ll find the hidden paradise of Jericoacoara.
Once a true off the beaten path destination only a few Brazilians knew of, nowadays it’s gaining more popularity both domestically and internationally.
This is due to its fantastic contrast of sand dunes with Atlantic beaches, a small and friendly community and also a lively nightlife scene.
Jericoacoara is also close to some spectacular natural gems such as the Lençois Maranheses, plus many lagoons and wild natural areas to explore.
Things to do in Jericoacoara
In this guide we’ll explore Jericoacoara, what to see and do, the best places to stay as well as our own top tips for a backpacking trip here.
Is Jericoacoara worth visiting?
Jericoacoara is one of those places that travelers head to and never leave.
Quite literally. Due to its difficulty to reach, it’s still under the mainstream radar although many are now starting to arrive from outside of Brazil.
One of the best reasons to visit Jericoacoara is for its contrast of the beautiful blue sea, along with the towering sand dunes at its coast.
These dunes go on for a long way, and are great for an evening stroll or to be explored by hiring a buggy.
Near the town you’ll find many stunning lakes and natural spectacles too. Lagoa Paraíso is the most popular, where you can sit in the lake hammocks and get that perfect photo.
Bring your hiking boots because there’s also a coastal path to the east which has phenomenal views, as well as small caves and trails to be hiked too.
And when you’re done with all this exploring? Head to a samba bar or grab yourself a caipirinha at one of the many small vendors in town.
How to Get to Jericoacoara
Getting to Jericoacoara is an experience within itself. Due to its quite isolated location, it won’t be easy to reach as there’s no airport you can fly to directly.
You’ll first need to arrive into Fortaleza: a large city in the state of Ceará.
From here you can head to the local bus terminal (called Rodoviária locally in Brazil) and then take the 6 hour bus to the town of Jijoca de Jericoacoara, which costs around $15.
This town is the main hub, where you’ll find many amenities, ATM’s and also some attractions.
Once you get to the bus station, you’ll need to take another 4×4 off-roader to reach the infamous beach-side town. These vehicles are located within the bus station, and takes about an hour to arrive, costing 30 Reales for the trip.
Best Things to do in Jericoacoara
Here we’ll cover the best destinations you can visit in Jericoacoara, including some of the top sights just outside of the town too.
Visit Pedra Furada
This stunning rock formation is one of the highlights for anyone coming to Jericoacoara. It’s located on the far east from the town, and is usually reached by a boat tour along the coast.
It takes around 45 minutes to reach, and along the way you’ll find some beautiful secluded beaches as well as caves filled with bats you can explore.
Go Kite Surfing
Jericoacoara is well known for its strong winds and perfect conditions, making it a hotspot for kite surfing enthusiasts.
Although we didn’t do any whilst here, it was easy to see why many come as there were large waves filled with surfers pretty much at all times of the day.
Buggy through the Sand Dunes
Heading west this time from Jericoacoara, you’ll immediately find large sand dunes that then craft the landscape as far as the eye can see.
It’s best explored with a buggy tour, where you can hire your own for a few hours. These dunes are also the perfect place to come to watch the sunset.
Chill at Lagoa do Paraíso
Jericoacoara and the surrounding area is well known for its many lagoons, however, Paraíso is by far the most popular.
It’s located close the town of Jijoca, and takes around 30 minutes to reach from the beach of Jericoacoara. Here you’ll find lots of restaurants and bars, as well as the infamous hammocks on the water you can spend the afternoon catching rays in. This is the perfect addition to any Brazil itinerary you plan.
Where to Stay in Jericoacoara
The actual town of Jericoacoara itself is very small, and you can walk from one side to the other in less than 15 minutes.
Of course, the most popular area to stay in is next to the beach, where you can also find all of the popular restaurants, bars and tour operators.
We recommend staying at Hostel Jeri Central, which in our opinion is the best in town. Here you get a free breakfast included, as well as having a swimming pool which is good for cooling off when temperatures get hot.
Best Time to visit Jericoacoara
Jericoacoara has a clear dry and wet season which we’ll delve into below. The dry period runs from June until December, and is the overall best time to visit.
Average temperatures range from 80-83°F, highs of 91°F and lows of 76°F (October is the hottest month to visit). Rainfall is pretty low during this season, with between 10-45mm falling throughout each of these months.
September on average is the driest month to visit Jericoacoara. The wet season in contrast runs from January until May, and is characterised by heavy rains and slightly cooler temperatures.
Average temperatures during this time range from 79-81°F, with highs of 87°F and lows of 76°F (April on average is the coolest month of the year to visit Jericoacoara).
Rain during this time can get heavy, with between 120-300mm falling within each month. Both March and April are by far the wettest months to visit.
Jericoacoara Backpacking Tips
Below we’ll share some Jericoacoara travel tips based on our trips here.
- If traveling to Jericoacoara from Fortaleza you can book a shuttle that takes around 6 hours with a stop at Paradise Lagoon.
- We recommend spending a minimum of four days in Jericoacoara. It’s perfect for a weekend visit, so consider a weekend break. This will be enough time to visit the best sights and to enjoy the nightlife on offer.
- For those who want to save money when it comes to food, then head further inland (away from the beach). Near the beach everything is pretty expensive (for Brazil) as it’s close to the hotels, however head about six/seven blocks out and you’ll find cheap meals for around 20 Reales.
- Overall, October is the best month to visit Jericoacoara. Here you’ll have great daytime temperatures, and very little rain making it perfect to lounge on the beach and explore some of the incredible landscapes.
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Things to do in Jericoacoara
And that’s all for our backpacking guide to Jericoacoara! Situated in a more hidden part of Northern Brazil, this town truly is a backpacking gem.
Here you’ll find everything from stunning beaches and incredible natural spectacles to a pumping nightlife come the weekend.
This guide covers all you need to know about Jericoacoara. This includes the best things to see and do, the best time to visit, where to stay and more.
We hope you enjoyed reading this guide! If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Be sure to read our full South America backpacking guide for more tips!
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