Jericoacoara is a Paradise in North of Brazil. Imagine a beach with white dunes, blue sea and coconut trees, perfect for windsurfing or kitesurfing, and with turquoise lagoons with hammocks inside the water. That’s Jeri!
It was originally a fisherman village, but today it has become a touristy destination, chosen by people from all over the world – indeed, I met more foreigners than Brazilians when I was there. As it´s quite hard to reach, it´s still very charming and relaxed.
WHAT TO DO / WHERE TO GO IN JERI
– Beach: a good place to stay at the beach is called Clube dos Ventos (Wind Club), there you don´t have to pay for the sunbeds and umbrellas if you consume something. They have good options for lunch (including a self-service per kilo), açaí (a typical north Brazilian fruit served as an ice cream with banana and granola, delicious!) and cold coconut juice (água de coco).
– Windsurf and Kitesurf: in Jeri the wind is perfect for practicing or learning windsurfing or kitesurfing. Many schools offer classes or rent the gear.
– Pedra Furada (Stone with a hole): this place is well known in Jeri, but it´s not special. It´s a big stone with a hole, on the shape of an arch, full of tourists. I heard that during some months the sun sets exactly in the hole – that must be beautiful. But otherwise, it is just a stone with a hole. To arrive there it´s an one hour walk – you should walk on the right direction at the beach, passing through Malhada Beach and a hill (from where you have a nice panorama view) before arriving there.
– Lagoa do Paraíso (Paradise Lagoon): this place is awesome! There you can find turquoise lagoons with hammocks inside the water, perfect to relax! You´d better go there from February to April, after the rainy season, that´s when the lagoon is full, otherwise you might see the lagoon almost dry and muddy, as I did (I went on the beginning of December).
To arrive there you can take a pickup at the square, it takes about 40 minutes and coasts 10 reais each way (3 euros). You can set a time to come back with the driver, and you should choose one of the restaurants of the lagoon to stay, as it´s huge – I stayed at Restaurante do Paulo and I liked the place, with hammocks and sunbeds that you don´t have to pay to use (if you consume something there). If you are on a budget, a tip is to take a sandwich with you to save money with the food, as you probably will stay there for the whole day, relaxing and enjoying the beach.
You can also get there on a buggy trip, that goes to the Blue Lagoon and some other places too. This option is a bit more expensive, but it might be nice too. If there are 3 people in the buggy it coasts 60 reais each (about 18 euros), or 50 reais each if there are 4 people (15 euros).
– Sunset at the dunes: you definitely shouldn´t miss it! Every afternoon many people go on the dunes to see the sun setting on the see, which is amazing! Be prepared to come back full of sand, as it´s very windy in Jery and you´re gonna be at the dunes.
– Other tours: you can also go on a buggy tour to Tatajuba, a beach close to Jeri, the price is similar to the buggy tour to Paradise Lagoon. Another option, that demands more days and much more money, is to do the Rota das Emoções (Emotions Route), that is a trip that passes through the Delta do Parnaíba, in Piauí, and that takes you to Lençóis Maranhenses, that is another paradise in North of Brazil (white dunes with colorful lagoons).
– To dance Forró: Forró is a Brazilian rhythm typical from the north, but that can be heard all over the country. People dance it in couples – you can ask some local to teach you a bit! Otherwise, you can just go there, drink some caipirinhas and watch people dancing. I´ve been to Maloka and Dona Amelia, you should ask at the hostel where´s the Forró that day.
HIGH SEASON – WHEN TO GO
Try to get there after the rainy season, from February to April – at this time of the year the lagoons are full. I´ve been there in the beginning of December, and the Paradise Lagoon was almost dry, and even muddy… There is warm the whole year, but it´s much nicer at the right season.
HOW TO GET THERE
From Fortaleza you gotta go to West to arrive at Jeri (Canoa Quebrada, another famous beach in Ceará, is at the east side). To arrive there you gotta take a bus in Fortaleza (at the bus station, at the airport or at some stops in Beira Mar Avenue) that goes to Jijoca de Jericoacoara, and from there a pickup or truck that will take you to Jeri. The whole trip takes about 6 hours, and the ticket from Fretcar includes either the bus and the truck. The prices range goes from 40 to 70 reais (12 to 20 euros). You can buy the tickets online (but the site is only in Portuguese) or at the bus station or airport in Fortaleza.
ACCOMMODATION – WHERE TO STAY
I stayed at Villa Chic Hostel and Pousada, it´s a nice place, with good value for money. They have mixed and female dorms with 4 bunk beds, with bathroom inside the dorm; they also have private rooms. The dorm coasts 45 reais (13 euros), including breakfast and wifi.
They also have a common kitchen, which is practical to save money with meals, as you can cook for yourself. And you can enjoy the common area, with a small swimming pool, sunbeds, hammocks and even a barbecue place. Nice hostel to meet people! To check on other options of accommodation, click here.
Are you going to Jericoacoara? Here you can find a good place to stay.
