6 Top Attractions in Jericoacoara, Brazil

The town of Jericoacoara, known by most people as Jeri, is a destination unlike any other in Brazil. Set off on its own inside a National Park, this place is a must-see when visiting Brazil.

Jeri is known internationally for being one of the top destinations in the world for kitesurfing, but it's also become a popular tourist destination for Brazilians who come here to enjoy beaches and the town. Surrounded by towering dunes on three sides and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, it's a magical sort of place that anyone can enjoy.

Getting to Jeri can seem like a hassle because the beach portion of the town is reached only by 4x4 vehicle, but is pretty straightforward. Jeri has an airport with regular flights to Sao Paulo, and it is about an hour away from the actual beach town of Jericoacora.

You can also fly into Fortaleza and hire a transfer to Jeri, which takes about 4.5 hours. There are a few ways to get here but all of them involve an extended drive (usually 40 to 50 minutes) across the sand, through the dunes, to reach the town.

When you arrive, it's impossible not to be impressed by this cute community with sand streets linked by a warren of alleyways chock full of shops, restaurants, and other retail establishments. The town slumbers under the midday heat but comes alive at night when the central square is packed with people, musicians set up on the beach, and donkeys, dogs, and cats wander about.

Although it's easy to do nothing here, activities and beautiful sights abound. Below is our guide to finding the best ways to enjoy Jericoacoara.

The Beach at Jericoacoara

The stunning crescent-shaped stretch of golden sand is the place to be during the day, at sunset, and in the evenings. Shallow water warmed by the equatorial sun beckons from beneath your umbrella and something is always going on here.

The beach runs for over 16 kilometers to Tatajuba, but the winds can be fierce outside the town's main area. The soft sand is perfect for strolling along the water's edge. Umbrellas and loungers are hauled out each morning and beachside restaurants offer up the freshest seafood. Vendors come around and sell their wares but are not overly persistent.

After an afternoon in the sun and surf, take a nap but be sure to return to the beach in the evening before sunset. At this time, mobile drink sellers set up in the sand, the music starts, and the crowds roll in to watch the sun set slowly into the Atlantic Ocean.

You can buy a kebab or some fried cheese from the BBQs at the top of the beach to tide you over until dinner. Come back to the beach after dinner, especially on weekends, to enjoy musicians and bands that set up on the beach.

On the southern edge of the beach is a large dune, which also attracts a crowd of sunset watchers each day. If you are spending multiple days in Jeri, plan on at least one evening to enjoy this tradition.

Wandering the Sandy Streets of Jericoacoara

Jeri is an absolutely delightful place to walk around and soak up the atmosphere. The town is built entirely on sand. The streets are made of sand and even the floors of some of the retail shops and restaurants are sand.

But, although the sandy streets give the town a casual atmosphere, it has a more upscale vibe than other beach towns along Brazil's northeast coast. Jeri has boutiques selling some of Brazil's famous name-brand clothing, fine dining restaurants, and a good selection of hotels that set it apart.

Another pleasant aspect of walking through town is that apart from the odd taxi and buggy, Jeri is also car-free

When the sun sets and the temperature cools slightly, Jeri comes alive as people take to the streets. The roads and alleyways tempt with alluring patios, fashionable clothing stores, and shiny items in jewelry shops. Vendors selling art and trinkets set up on the streets and are often accompanied by an assortment of animals lounging about, including a steady parade of donkeys.

Jeri is much quieter during the day when most people are on the beaches or hanging around a pool escaping the mid-day heat and many of the stores and restaurants are closed. Nonetheless, you can still find some vendors set up on the street and a few stores to stroll through, and you won't have any trouble getting a table at those restaurants that remain open.

Dining in Jericoacoara

Dining is one of the highlights of Jeri. The town has a surprisingly large selection of atmospheric restaurants offering great food. You can secure a table at any number of places and enjoy a delightful dinner while a musician plays nearby. Jeri has everything from fine dining to extremely casual places, and large restaurants right through to some that only have a couple of tables.

If you don't want to stand around on the beach to watch the sunset, you can start your evening out with snacks at Terraço Jeri RestoBar e Lounge, which offers one of the best sunset views in town. Located on the top floor of a three-story building, you can look out over the beach, the ocean, and the dunes as the setting sun lights up the sky, and maybe enjoy the sounds of a musician, depending on the day.

For a wonderful meal, you have numerous choices around town. Keep in mind that some restaurants do not open until 6 or 7pm, and if you have a group, it's a good idea to make a reservation.

A couple of popular options are Tamarindo and Na Casa Dela. Both of these have an airy courtyard-style setup and offer good customer service and a pleasant atmosphere. Na Casa Dela is a bit brighter and has a wood-burning oven in the back.

Pimenta Verde Restaurante is the place to go for great food in the center of the action. You can dine at street level to be part of the scene or upstairs to enjoy views over the street. Don't miss the fried cheese with honey on their appetizer list. Across the street and just a short stroll towards the water, on the corner, is the always popular Bistroganoff.

For fine dining, great service, and delectable food, try Rico Restaurant at The Chili Beach. This is a bit of a walk from the main part of town and it offers a private atmosphere. It's a good place to go if you want to escape the action of downtown Jeri.

Jeri's position on the ocean means fresh fish is one of the staples here, and as a result, the town has a few sushi places. Two particularly good options are Kaze and Sushicoacoara.

After dinner, if you are walking around town, you may want to head to the main square to grab a gelato. You'll find a couple of places but Gelato & Grano is arguably the best and always lined up. It's worth the wait. You can eat it on the benches across the street in the square but you may get stared down by a donkey wanting a lick.

Afterward, you can still wander down to the beach to see what's going on and listen to live music most nights.

Walking around Jeri during the day in the blazing heat can be uncomfortable and many of the restaurants are closed for lunch. One great lunch spot is Kuara Grill & Bistro. This place has incredible fresh cooked home-style food and you can dine in the shade of huge trees where there always seems to be a nice breeze. One of the best things about this place is that it is buffet style and you can select what you want and pay for your plate based on weight. The owner speaks English and is happy to walk you through the selection of food, explaining what's in each dish.

Kiteboarding

Over the last decade, Jericoacoara has become a hotspot for kiteboarding. Although kiteboarding is not allowed in the main beach area, some of the best conditions in the world are just a short distance away.

Strong, steady winds blow from August until December, with the best winds from mid-October through mid-November. Kiteboarders interested in big waves and strong winds should hire a buggy and head south of town to Prea. Those interested in flat water but still fantastic wind should head to Guriú or further north to Tatajuba.

Accommodation is available in both those towns but for the best food and fun, you'll want to stay in Jericoacoara.

Downwinding from Jeri is a popular pursuit. Most people start about four kilometers from town and ride the waves to Guriú.

The wind comes up mid-morning and builds throughout the day; during the season's peak, count on 20 knots or more every single day. Most people pack only their smaller kites. I typically bring a 7- and 9-meter kite to Jeri.

Touring the Sand Dunes by Buggy

To truly get a sense of the area you should take a buggy tour along the beach and through the sand dunes. These specially equipped buggies carry four people plus the driver. If you have four people, three will ride on the back of the buggy on a specially raised seat and hold on for dear life, while one person will take the seat next to the driver. If this is more risky than you'd like, you can hire a 4x4 truck instead, but these are less common.

The excitement kicks off as you cruise along the beach, with the dunes rising dramatically on one side and the endless expanse of the Atlantic Ocean on the other. Racing over the shifting sands is an adrenaline-pumping thrill as you ascend and descend over dunes and glide across flat, sun-kissed stretches of beach.

A typical route often takes you north towards Tatajuba with a river crossing at Guriú where you'll stop for a snack and a cold drink at a rustic beach establishment. Along the way, you'll have a chance to see all kinds of wildlife, including wild horses, donkeys, and sea birds, and if you are lucky, you might spot a sea turtle or two. A few options are available for tours.

At Guriú you can see the kiteboarders racing across the water and performing daring aerial jumps which can be quite impressive given the high winds in this area.

Depending on the time of year, the wind can blow quite strongly, so you may want to bring a scarf or face covering for the trip.

Spending a Day Beachside on a Lagoon

Jeri is not all about the ocean, in fact, you'll find something here you rarely find anywhere else in the world - freshwater lagoons surrounded by dunes. These spectacular bodies of water are filled with trapped rainwater warmed by the sun. One of the best and most famous is Lagoa do Paraíso, known for its crystal-clear waters and stunning landscape.

What makes Lagoa do Paraíso truly special is its warm, shallow waters that shimmer in a mesmerizing turquoise hue. The lagoon's beauty is best enjoyed from one of the restaurants that line its shores; they are a perfect place to relax, swim, and take in the panoramic views. Many of the establishments have hammocks strung above the water making it easy to flop right off if you get too hot.

Getting to the lagoon is half the fun. Hire a beach buggy to take you through the sandy back roads and desert scrub, and when you arrive at the lagoon, it feels like you've discovered a hidden world.