From Jericoacoara: Preá Beach and Paradise Lagoon Tour

Jericoacoara’s best scenery is spread well beyond the village, and this seven-hour outing links several of the area’s most photographed stops in one day. You’ll move from a tree growing sideways beside the sea to a fishing village, two lagoons, and broad sand dunes, with pickup and return transport included.

I like the easy route planning and the chance to swim at Lagoa do Paraíso, where calm, clear water is the main event. I also like the practical mix of scenery and local life at Praia do Preá, rather than spending the entire day at one resort-style stop.

The main caution is cost clarity. The $14 fare is low, but entrance charges and food are not included, and one passenger reported being asked for 40 Brazilian reais at each lagoon. The driver usually speaks Portuguese, so this trip works best if you are comfortable with simple gestures or basic Portuguese.

Five things to know before you book

• The route covers four very different settings: coastal viewpoints, a fishing village, a freshwater lagoon, and dunes.
• Jackson may be your driver: his helpful attitude and willingness to change the order of stops earned especially strong praise, but driver assignment is not guaranteed.
• The $14 price covers transport, not the full day: food, drinks, souvenirs, personal costs, and possible admission charges are extra.
• Portuguese is the working language: there is no listed guide service in another language.
• Bring only a small day bag: large luggage and pets are not allowed, and swimming is part of the plan.

Why this route works around Jericoacoara

Jericoacoara is famous for its sandy streets and dramatic coast, but many of its most appealing sights sit outside the village. A self-drive outing can be awkward because the route includes sandy tracks, scattered stops, and lagoons that are easier to reach with a local driver.

This tour keeps the day simple. Pickup is scheduled around 9 AM at your hotel, and the return to Jericoacoara is planned for about 3:30 PM. That gives you a full morning and afternoon without requiring you to arrange a buggy, negotiate several rides, or work out the order of the stops yourself.

I see this as a sightseeing transfer with swimming breaks rather than a guided cultural tour. Your local driver handles the driving and route, but a formal guide is not included. That distinction matters if you want detailed explanations at every stop.

The experience has an average rating of 3.8 out of 5 from 51 ratings, which fits the mixed value picture. The scenery and drivers can be excellent, while communication and extra charges may affect how satisfying the day feels.

Starting beside the Tree of Laziness

One of the first memorable stops is the Tree of Laziness, a tree that grows horizontally near the sea. Constant wind and coastal conditions have shaped its low, sideways form, making it a natural photo stop rather than a long sightseeing visit.

You will probably spend only a short time here, but that is enough. The tree gives you a quick, unusual image that looks very different from the usual beach portrait. It also sets the tone for the day: this outing is built around scenic pauses, not long museum-style visits.

Bring your sunglasses and keep your phone or camera ready. The coastal light can be strong, and there may be little shade at open seaside stops.

Preá Beach and the fishing-village feel

The route continues to Praia do Preá, a traditional fishing village near Jericoacoara. This is one of the more grounded parts of the day, since you are seeing a working coastal community rather than only postcard scenery.

Preá is also a good counterpoint to the lagoons. The beach gives you open sea, sand, and local life, while the later stops focus on still freshwater. If you want a sense of the coast beyond Jericoacoara’s main tourist center, this stop adds useful context.

Time here may be brief. One unhappy passenger said the stop lasted only about 10 minutes, so do not book this outing expecting an extended beach stay at Preá. I would treat it as a short photo and orientation stop, not as the place to spend the afternoon.

Caiçara Blue Hole and the question of entrance fees

Caiçara Blue Hole is a rainwater lagoon known for striking turquoise water. The idea is simple and appealing: walk through the local forest, reach a bright blue pool, and take a swim in a natural setting.

Water levels and color can depend on recent rain, so the view may not look identical every day. Still, this is the kind of stop that gives the tour its visual punch. You get a sharp change from the sea at Preá to a small freshwater body surrounded by sand and vegetation.

The important practical issue is the price. Admission is not clearly included in the $14 tour cost, and one passenger reported a charge of 40 Brazilian reais for the Blue Hole. Treat that amount as a possible local fee rather than a guaranteed price, and ask the driver before entering.

This stop may feel too commercial if you expect an untouched lagoon. A complaint described it as a small body of water where drivers benefit from entry charges. I would keep expectations reasonable: it is a scenic swim and photo stop, not a major natural park with a long trail.

Lagoa do Paraíso, the day’s main swim

Lagoa do Paraíso is likely to be the highlight for anyone who wants to spend time in clear, calm water. The lagoon is designed for relaxing, swimming, and taking photos, with the famous hammocks providing the classic image: you sit or lie partly over the water while the pale sand and lagoon fill the background.

This is where the swimwear becomes essential. You can enjoy the stop without getting in, but the point of the lagoon is the water, and the calm setting makes it one of the easiest places on the route to slow down.

There may also be an entrance charge here. One passenger reported another 40 reais being requested at Lagoa do Paraíso, while also saying that free access may have been possible. Since conditions and access points can change, confirm the cost before you commit.

The order of stops may change with the weather. A driver named Jackson was specifically praised for reversing the route so the group reached Lagoa do Paraíso during sunshine. That is a real advantage in a place where clouds can flatten the color of the water and weaken your photos.

I would not assume every driver will make the same adjustment, but the possibility is worth noting. If the sky looks unsettled, ask whether the lagoon can be visited at the best weather window.

The hammock photos and the sand dunes

The hammocks are not just a place to rest. They are one of the signature photo opportunities around Lagoa do Paraíso, and they give you a picture that immediately identifies the area.

Use sunscreen before you arrive, not only after you feel the heat. The open sand and pale water reflect strong sunlight, and the supplied information specifically recommends sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear, and comfortable clothes.

The final stop is the sand dunes, where the tour shifts back from water to wide, open views. Dunes are especially useful for photography because they give you clean lines, high viewpoints, and a sense of the scale of the coast.

Do not expect a long technical hike. The tour description presents the dunes as a photo stop, so the main value is the setting rather than an extended walking program. Comfortable clothing will help, and limited mobility can make both sandy ground and lagoon access difficult.

What the transport is really worth

Round-trip hotel transport is the strongest practical feature of the package. You are collected from your Jericoacoara hotel and returned there, so you do not need to locate a separate meeting point or arrange your way home after swimming.

The vehicle details and group size are not specified. That means I would ask about the transport arrangement before booking if you need a particular vehicle type or more personal space. The listed service is a local driver, not a private chauffeur service with a guaranteed vehicle.

The low fare makes sense if you mainly want access to the route. At $14 per person, transport to several distant stops can be good value, provided the extra costs stay modest. The value drops if you pay separate admission at both lagoons, buy lunch and drinks along the way, and expect a guide’s commentary.

Food and drinks are not included. Carrying a small amount of water is sensible, but remember that large bags and luggage are not allowed. A compact day bag with sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear, and a phone is the safest approach.

Communication with a Portuguese-speaking driver

The listed language is Portuguese, and most local drivers speak only Portuguese. There is no promise of English, Spanish, French, German, or another language.

That does not make the tour impossible for non-Portuguese speakers. Jackson was praised for being attentive to passengers who did not speak Portuguese, with hand gestures helping the group manage the day. Still, you should be ready to use simple translation tools, saved place names, and clear gestures.

If you have questions about entry charges, meal stops, timing, or the order of the route, ask early. A short phrase such as quanto custa, meaning how much does it cost, may be useful. You will get more from the day if you treat communication as a practical task rather than expecting a narrated tour.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This outing suits you if you want a broad introduction to the coast around Jericoacoara without arranging separate transport. It is especially good for a first visit when you want the major photo settings, a swim, a fishing village, and dunes in one day.

It also suits flexible visitors who care more about scenery than detailed interpretation. A driver who can adjust the route for weather can make a noticeable difference, especially at Lagoa do Paraíso.

I would be more cautious if you want a slow beach day. The schedule includes several stops, and Preá may receive only a short visit. You may also prefer another option if you need a fluent guide, guaranteed accessibility, or a fully itemized price.

The tour is not recommended for people with mobility impairments. Sandy paths, forest walking, lagoon access, and uneven ground can all make the day tiring or difficult. It is also not recommended for people with skin diseases, according to the activity information.

What to pack and what to leave behind

Keep your packing light and useful:

• Sunglasses for the bright coast and dunes
• Swimwear for the lagoons
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable clothing
• A small bag for personal items
• Money for food, drinks, and possible entrance fees

Do not bring pets or large luggage. The tour is built for a day out, not for moving bags between hotels.

I would also save the names of the stops on your phone. Since communication is mainly in Portuguese, having Tree of Laziness, Praia do Preá, Caiçara Blue Hole, and Lagoa do Paraíso written down can prevent confusion.

Is the $14 fare good value?

The headline price is attractive. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, a local driver, and access to a route that would otherwise require several transport arrangements.

But the fare is only the starting point. Food and drinks are excluded, and local admission charges may apply. Since one passenger reported 40 Brazilian reais at each lagoon, you should confirm all fees before entering. The lack of clear cost information was a specific source of frustration for at least one person.

For a budget-minded visitor who mainly needs transport, the fare can be worthwhile. For someone expecting a fully guided, all-inclusive day, it is less convincing.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking add flexibility. Those policies help if your weather plans are uncertain, but they do not remove the need to check the final cost.

Should you book the Preá Beach and Paradise Lagoon tour?

Book it if you want a low-cost way to see several famous settings around Jericoacoara, especially if hotel transport matters and you are happy with a Portuguese-speaking driver. The best parts are the lagoon swimming, hammock photos, dunes, and the chance of a weather-smart route adjustment by a driver such as Jackson.

Skip it if you need an English-speaking guide, guaranteed long stops, clear all-in pricing, or easy access for limited mobility. Before departure, ask exactly which entrance fees apply and how long you will spend at Preá and each lagoon.

For the right visitor, this is a practical photo-and-swim day. Just treat the $14 as the transport price, not the final cost of the entire outing.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts seven hours, with pickup around 9 AM and return to Jericoacoara at about 3:30 PM.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Jericoacoara are included.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes the Tree of Laziness, Praia do Preá, Caiçara Blue Hole, Lagoa do Paraíso, and sand dunes.

Is a guide included?

A local driver is included, but a guide is not listed as included. The activity language is Portuguese, and most local drivers speak Portuguese.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

Are entrance fees included?

The provided information does not confirm that entrance fees are included. One passenger reported paying 40 Brazilian reais at each of two lagoon stops, so ask about current charges before entering.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Can people with mobility impairments join?

No. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and it is also not recommended for people with skin diseases.