Until recently Jericoacoara, affectionately known as Jeri, was a sleepy fishing village, with no electricity and nowhere near the backpacker trail. Things have changed, the village has kept its relaxed friendly attitude, its charm and its sand streets but has become a must-visit location in north-eastern Brasil.

The village has managed to retain its tranquil atmosphere due to strict planning regulations and its remote location, but there is still plenty of quality and budget accomodation in Jeri. As there is no road connecting Jeri to the nearest town it is only accessible by taking a spectacular, bumpy 4X4 ride through the dunes that surround (guard) the village. This adventurous journey creates a sense of isolation from the world which combined with Jeri’s natural beauty traps people for weeks, who only return briefly to the “real world” to pick up more money (as there is no ATM).

The village sits on a long grey sandy beach next to a giant sand dune natural features which provide the focus for many of Jericoacoara’s activities. Jeri is world famous for wind sports; sails and kites continually zigzag across the sea. As well as the long term semi-pros, many beginners choose to take advantage of Jeri’s numerous quality kite and wind-surfing schools.

The dominating sand dune also has its share of visits, with numerous people walking up to take advantage of the sweeping views, and the more adventurous attempting to dune board. Unusually for Brasil it is possible to watch the sun set over the sea due to Jeri’s unique location. For this reason at dusk Sunset Dune is always crowded. After the sun sets the bars begin to fill up and the focus returns back to the beach which becomes littered with makeshift bars and campfires ready for an all-night party.

If you can tear yourself away from the beach there is a lot to do around Jeri. The two hour costal walk to the arch Pedra Furada is a favourite excursion due to the constant sea views, although the arch itself is not that spectacular. Dune buggies are an exciting way to explore father afield, and take groups on roundtrips through the dunes, including a stop at Lago Paridiso, which (as its name suggests) is rather nice.

For an extremely small isolated village Jeri has a lot to offer by day and a lively nightlife that make it extremely hard to leave. Be aware: don’t get trapped (unless you want to).