Jijoca de Jericoacoara

The place Jericoacoara is the center of an extensive dune area in northeastern Brazil. It lies on the coast of the State of Ceará. The dunes extend up to 20 km inland. Temperatures range between 16 ° C and 36 ° C.

The name probably comes from the language of the Tupi Indians, who inhabited the region. " Yuruco " stands for cave and " Cuara " summarized for turtle Jericoacoara means about as much as " Cave of the turtles ".

1984 Jericoacoara and a large area around the village nature reserve " Área de proteção ambiental " (APA ) and in 2002 officially declared a national park .. A special attraction are lying in the dunes freshwater lakes. An underlying layer of clay to prevent seepage them.

The place can be reached either by sea in small boats or with four-wheel vehicles from the nearest place Jijoca. The 350 km long journey from Fortaleza by car is relatively initially being burdensome, as the roads are well developed. Only the last 28 miles from Jijoca need to be addressed on unpaved dirt roads.

Economy

The place Jericoacoara has a greater significance in tourism of the Brazilian state of Ceará since the mid- 1980s. A slow growing infrastructure in place now supplies tourists with accommodation, restaurants and the possibility to make excursions in the dunes. Strict building codes prevent unbridled growth and the usual eyesores. International Jericoacoara was known as the Washington Post in 1984 described the beach as one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world.

Amongst windsurfers and kiters Jericoacoara is one of the best destinations in the world, as the wind blows from late July almost every day with more than 4 Beaufort until the end of January. In addition to these sports offer different local tour operator activities such as guided buggy and kayak tours, Capoeira, sand boarding, SUP and riding courses.

Beach in the village center

Windsurfer off Jericoacoara