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Jericoacoara packs its attractions into a compact, car-free village ringed by dunes, lagoons and a wild Atlantic coastline. Most sights are free or cost a small day-use fee, and everything is reachable on foot, by buggy or by 4×4. Plan for early mornings at the lagoons, low tide for Pedra Furada and late afternoon on the sunset dune. Here are the best things to do in Jericoacoara, with locations, prices and practical tips, part of our complete Jericoacoara travel guide.
Things to Do in Jericoacoara: Beaches and Lagoons
Lagoa do Paraíso
Lagoa do Paraíso (Paradise Lagoon) is the signature Jericoacoara day trip, a 18km drive east of the village where you wade into knee-deep, glass-clear freshwater and lie in hammocks strung over the water. Barracas such as Alchymist and Lazúli charge a day-use fee of around R$30 to R$50, which typically counts as credit toward food and drinks. Go early, by 9am, to claim a hammock before the tour vans arrive, and note the lagoons are at their deepest in the rainy season, covered in our best time to visit Jericoacoara guide.
Lagoa Azul
Lagoa Azul (Blue Lagoon) sits about 25km from the village and is a quieter alternative to Lagoa do Paraíso, with turquoise water and fewer visitors. There are simple barracas for food and hammocks, and the shallow basin makes it safe for children. Most travellers combine both lagoons in a single half-day 4×4 tour priced around R$100 to R$150 per person. Bring cash, as card machines are unreliable at the remote barracas.
Praia Principal and Malhada Beach
Praia Principal (Main Beach) runs along the village seafront and is the social heart of Jericoacoara, with beach bars, food stalls and the nightly sunset crowd. Malhada Beach continues east toward Pedra Furada and is wider and calmer, popular with families and for beach walks at low tide. There is no entry fee, and chairs and umbrellas run about R$20 to R$40 per day from the barracas. Swimming is generally safe and the sea holds 27°C to 28°C (81°F to 82°F) year round, as detailed in our Jericoacoara weather by month guide.
Things to Do in Jericoacoara: Landmarks and Nature
Duna do Pôr do Sol
Duna do Pôr do Sol (Sunset Dune) is a 30 to 40 metre dune on the western edge of the village where hundreds of people gather each evening to watch the sun drop into the Atlantic. Climbing takes about 5 minutes up soft sand, and it is free. Get there 30 to 40 minutes before sunset for a good spot, and wear shoes you do not mind filling with sand. On windy evenings the dune top can blow hard, so bring a light layer.
Pedra Furada
Pedra Furada is a rock arch carved into the cliffs about 2.5km east of the village, reached by a 40-minute walk along Malhada Beach at low tide or by buggy. The arch frames the sunset at certain times of year and is the most photographed landmark in the region. Visiting is free, but check the tide table first, at high tide the rocks are cut off and the walk becomes unsafe, see our Jericoacoara travel tips article for tide and safety advice. Go at low tide and take water, as there is little shade on the route.
Árvore da Preguiça
The Árvore da Preguiça (Sloth Tree) is a twisted cashew tree on the road toward Lagoa do Paraíso that has become a favourite photo stop, its low branches shaped into natural seats. It costs nothing to visit and sits a few kilometres from the village, easily added to a lagoon tour. Climb carefully, the trunk is worn smooth, and visit mid-afternoon for the best light.
Buraco Azul
Buraco Azul (Blue Hole) is a deep natural pool of clear groundwater set in a limestone depression near the village of Caiçara, about 30km away. You can swim in the deep, cool water, and it is often combined with Lagoa Azul on a full-day 4×4 circuit. Entry is around R$30, and the water stays cold year round, a welcome break in the tropical heat. Bring goggles to see the underwater rock formations.
Things to Do in Jericoacoara: Water Sports
Kitesurfing and Windsurfing
Jericoacoara is one of the world’s top kitesurfing destinations thanks to steady 20 to 30 knot trade winds from July to December. Schools such as ClubVentos and others on Malhada Beach run beginner lessons from about R$250 to R$400 per session including equipment, with multi-day packages discounted. The main launch areas are Malhada Beach for freeride and the flatter, windier waters toward Preá for advanced riders. The biggest competitions land here in November, listed in our Jericoacoara events and festivals calendar.
Stand-Up Paddleboarding and Kayaking
Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is a calmer option on the lagoons and the sheltered Guriu river, where the flat water suits beginners. Board rental runs about R$40 to R$60 per hour, and several pousadas and beach kiosks rent them directly. Kayaking the Guriu mangroves lets you spot monkeys and birds, with guided trips around R$80 to R$120 per person. The Guriu river and its village are covered in our Jericoacoara neighborhoods guide.
Things to Do in Jericoacoara: Dune Tours and Day Trips
Buggy Tours through the Dunes
A buggy tour is the standard way to cover the dunes and distant lagoons in one outing. Typical circuits run R$200 to R$350 per buggy for up to four people and cover Lagoa do Paraíso, the Sloth Tree and a dune descent or two. Drivers cluster near Rua Principal and the beach, and it is best to agree the route and price before departing. Ask about the “com emoção” (with thrill) option if you want fast dune runs, and skip it if you get carsick.
Day Trip to Preá and Guriu
Preá, about 12km east, is the kitesurfing satellite village with a long, wind-blasted beach and a handful of pousadas and restaurants. Guriu is a quiet fishing village across the river, reached by a short boat crossing, with a calm river beach and simple seafood shacks. A combined Preá and Guriu day trip by buggy or 4×4 runs about R$150 to R$200 per person, and Preá also works as a quieter base, see our where to stay in Jericoacoara guide.
