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Which is better: Arraial do Cabo or Jericoacoara?

Short answer

Arraial do Cabo is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ), while Jericoacoara is on the Ceará Coast (CE): different regions of Brazil. Arraial do Cabo: the Brazilian Caribbean of the Região dos Lagos (Lakes Region); Jericoacoara: a village of sand streets where everyone stops what they are doing to watch the sun fall behind the dune. For this month's weather, Jericoacoara has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in Arraial do CaboArraial do Cabo Boat Trip★ 8.7 · 20 reviews · from US$ 56 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Most reviewed activity in JericoacoaraJericoacoara East Coast Off-Roading Tour: Paradise & Blue Lagoon★ 8.5 · 76 reviews · from US$ 14 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Arraial do Cabo Jericoacoara
Best time to visit Apr → Nov Jul → Dec
Weather this month 25° · 8 days of rain 33° · 1 day of rain
By car R$ 394 · from São Paulo R$ 169 · from Fortaleza
Ideal stay 2–3 days 4–5 days
Best for Family, Adventure, Relax, Romantic Adventure, Romantic, Relax
Choose Arraial do Cabo if

you want a trip for families and adventure seekers: transparent water, white sand and the clearest (and coldest) sea on the Rio de Janeiro coast.

See guide
Choose Jericoacoara if

you want a trip for adventure seekers and couples: a village of sand streets where everyone stops what they are doing to watch the sun fall behind the dune.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Arraial do Cabo or Jericoacoara

The average nightly rate is around R$ 351 in Arraial do Cabo and R$ 509 in Jericoacoara; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.

Compare hotels and places to stay in Arraial do Cabo on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Sophia 2 Residence Inn in Arraial do Cabo 9.5 ★★★★★ · 12 reviews Sophia 2 Residence Inn See on Booking → Mediterrane Hotel by Castelo Itaipava in Arraial do Cabo 8.4 ★★★★ · 42 reviews Mediterrane Hotel by Castelo Itaipava See on Booking →
See all hotels in Arraial do Cabo

Compare hotels and places to stay in Jericoacoara on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Blue Residence Hotel in Jericoacoara 9.2 ★★★★★ · 11 reviews Blue Residence Hotel See on Booking → Rede Andrade Vila Jeri in Jericoacoara 8.8 · 1 review Rede Andrade Vila Jeri See on Booking →
See all hotels in Jericoacoara

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

Arraial do Cabo or Jericoacoara: which is better?
Arraial do Cabo is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ), while Jericoacoara is on the Ceará Coast (CE): different regions of Brazil. Arraial do Cabo: the Brazilian Caribbean of the Região dos Lagos (Lakes Region); Jericoacoara: a village of sand streets where everyone stops what they are doing to watch the sun fall behind the dune. For this month's weather, Jericoacoara has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Arraial do Cabo and Jericoacoara?
The best time to visit Arraial do Cabo is from April to November; for Jericoacoara, it is from July to December, based on INMET's climate normals (temperature and rainfall for each month). If your trip already has a date, check each destination's page for your month.
Which of the two is cheaper to get to?
By car, leaving from São Paulo, Arraial do Cabo is 585 km (364 mi) and costs about R$ 394 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from Fortaleza, Jericoacoara is 300 km (186 mi) and costs about R$ 169 each way (fuel plus tolls). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, Arraial do Cabo or Jericoacoara?
Averaged over the year, Arraial do Cabo has 7 rainy days a month and Jericoacoara has 7. The two are practically tied over the year, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Arraial do Cabo is December and in Jericoacoara, March. For temperature, Jericoacoara is the warmer one (average high of 32° versus 26°).
How many days should you spend in Arraial do Cabo and in Jericoacoara?
To see the main sights without rushing, Arraial do Cabo calls for 2–3 days and Jericoacoara, 4–5 days. These are distant regions: with a week or less, it is usually better to pick one of the two and make the most of it.
Arraial do Cabo or Jericoacoara with kids?
Arraial do Cabo (crystal-clear water, boat trip, and diving) is the better pick of the two for families. Jericoacoara (sunset on the dune, kitesurfing capital, and barefoot village) is geared more toward adults or couples.
What should you not miss in each?
In Arraial do Cabo: Boat circuit of the islands, Prainha, Praia do Forno. In Jericoacoara: Sunset Dune, Pedra Furada, Paradise Lagoon. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.