A township in the northern part of the state of Ceara, at 300km from the state capital, Fortaleza, Jijoca de Jericoacara is internationally famous for its natural beauties. Elected one of the most beautiful beaches in the world by the American newspaper Washington Post in 1984, it ceased to be a fishermen’s village among high, shifting dunes, and became the destination for tourists from other parts of Brazil and from all over the world.
The movie set for the film A ostra e o vento (The Oyster and the Wind) (1997) directed by Walter Lima Junior, the lovely beach is one of the few places in Brazil where it’s possible to watch the sun rise and set on the ocean, as shown in the film, thanks to its location on a peninsula. Another of Jeri’s charms is that, in order to preserve the natural illumination from the sun, the moon and the stars, there are no light posts in the streets. Electric energy is distributed to homes and shops from underground.
Since the town’s economy is based on tourism, all the tours and activities must be paid for, with prices that vary, although kitesurfing and windsurfing are the most expensive. Being in an Area of Environmental Protection since 2002, the National Park is unpaved, because the building of roads and highways isn’t allowed. Therefore, the access to the village is exclusively through the dunes, in appropriate vehicles with four-wheel drive. This access route is in itself a tour.
One of the village’s main attractions is the Pedra Furada (Holed Stone), a rock about five meters high that offers an excellent view of the sunset. Another option for this view is from the top of the dune closest to the village, facing the sea, a favorite with tourists.
Also outstanding is the Jijoca Lagoon, protected as an Area of Environmental Protection by the state government. The lagoon is enchanting for its formation, due to the constant migration of dunes on the coastal plain, causing the barring of the waters of two creeks: the Mourão and the Paraguai. The formation of big dunes also offers a local activity: sandboarding.
When to visit Jericoacara?
In order to avoid the rainy season, the best time to visit Jericoacara is between January and July, since for the rest of the year the weather is unstable, with rain in the morning and sunshine in the afternoon, or vice-versa. To escape from the prices of the high season, avoid holidays, so as not to pay more for tours and hotels/inns, and make reservations for everything in advance, of course
What to take on your trip?
Bathing suits, of course, and light clothes and hats/caps are indispensable. It’s a good idea to take a light coat for windy days. Don’t forget to take sunscreen and insect repellent. Since there are no light posts, take a small flashlight for night tours without moonlight. For most tours, light sandals are necessary.
Be careful of the environment
In Jericoacara there are rules that must be followed and respected by tourists: it is forbidden to litter the beach or the ground, as well as to pollute the waters. It’s also forbidden to hunt, and to drive outside of the demarcated trails on the way to the Jericoacara National Park.
Take cash / medicines of continuous use
With regard to money, be prepared, since there is only an agency of the Bradesco Bank and of the Correios (Postal Service), the correspondent bank of the Banco do Brasil (Bank of Brazil), and there are very few cash machines in the town. So take cash, because, although many establishments accept credit cards, the tours must be paid for in cash. Don’t forget to take the medicines you use continuously, such as for blood pressure, etc. The nearest hospital is 18km away, in Jijoca, although the village has a 24 hour UPA (Emergency Care Unit).
