Jericoacoara Day Trip: Lagoa Paraiso & Sunset Dune

The jardineira, an open-air 4x4 truck, carries you over dunes to reach places no regular vehicle can.

A small-group day trip from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara includes hotel pickup, a Portuguese-speaking guide, and transport by minivan and open-air jardineira. You swim at Lagoa Paraisio, walk the cliffs at Pedra Furada, explore Jericoacoara village, and watch the sunset from the Sunset Dune overlooking the national park. The full day runs 18 hours, departing at 4am and returning between 10pm and 11pm.

The experience

You're picked up at your hotel at 4am and driven five hours north in an air-conditioned minibus to Jijoca, a small city 300km away. Once there, you switch to a jardineira (the open-back truck locals use to navigate the dunes), and your guide leads the group of no more than 15 people to Lagoa Paraisio. This is the main stop: you can swim in the water, hang in a hammock, and eat at a lakeside restaurant (food and drinks are on your own). The lagoon sits in a depression surrounded by sand, and the water stays calm enough for a real swim.

Around 2pm the jardineira takes you over the dunes to Pedra Furada, the rock formation that appears on every postcard of Jericoacoara. You walk down from the cliffs to photograph it and the sea beyond. By 3:30pm you're in Jericoacoara village itself, where you can browse shops and walk the beach before the group gathers again. At 5:30pm everyone walks to the top of the Sunset Dune (one of the highest in northeast Brazil), and watches the sun drop over the beach and national park. The return journey starts at 6pm, and you arrive back at your hotel between 10pm and 11pm.

The pace is set by the group and the guide. You move from stop to stop on the jardineira's schedule, not your own. Sunblock and sandals are worth packing, and the day asks for at least moderate fitness since you're walking dunes and cliffs in heat. The Portuguese-speaking guide handles the logistics, but the long hours mean this is a full commitment. There's no time for other activities in Fortaleza on this day.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Fortaleza.
• professional guide who speaks Portuguese.
• air-conditioned minivan transport to Jijoca.
• open-air jardineira transport over the dunes to all stops.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 15

Live guidePortuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by Fortaleza Beaches - Day Tours Transfers

Is this one for you?The 18-hour commitment means you leave before dawn and return late, so this day trip fills the entire day and rules out other Fortaleza activities. Choose it if you're willing to spend a full day traveling and want to see multiple stops (Lagoa Paraisio, Pedra Furada, the village, and the sunset) in one journey.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3).

What is Lagoa Paraisio like for swimming?

Lagoa Paraisio is a shallow lagoon surrounded by sand dunes where the water stays calm and clear. Most visitors swim and relax in hammocks at the lakeside restaurant during the midday stop.

Can I eat lunch during the tour?

Lunch and drinks are not included, but the Lagoa Paraisio stop is long enough to order food and a tropical drink at the lakeside restaurant. You pay for what you order there.

What is Pedra Furada and what do you do there?

Pedra Furada is a distinctive rock formation and the symbol of Jericoacoara. You walk down from the cliffs to photograph it and the ocean, then return to the jardineira.

How long is the full day, and what time does it end?

The tour runs 18 hours total. You're picked up at 4am and return to your hotel between 10pm and 11pm, so plan for a very early start and a late night.

What is the Sunset Dune, and why is it special?

The Sunset Dune is one of the highest dunes in northeast Brazil, overlooking Jericoacoara beach and the national park. It's considered one of the best places in the country to watch the sunset, and the group climbs to the top at 5:30pm to see it.