Our review · JERICOACOARA TOURS
Private Bugue Tour on the East Coast of Jericoacoara
Jericoacoara’s East Coast buggy tour packs the area’s best water stops into one long day: a fishing village, dune lagoons, and the bright-blue pool at Buraco Azul Caiçara. I like the private format, since your group of up to four can set the rhythm, and I like that guide Valdenir, often called Val, is praised for both driving and taking photos. The main catch is cost creep: the $102.02 group price does not cover the Blue Hole or Blue Lagoon entrance fees.
The day also includes plenty of unstructured time, especially at Lagoa Azul and Lagoa do Paraíso. That makes it a good fit if you want to swim, eat, and rest rather than rush from one photo stop to the next. Just remember that six stops in six or seven hours still makes for a full day.
Key points at a glance

- Private buggy for up to four: Your own group rides together, with private transportation and WiFi on board.
- Six contrasting stops: Expect a tree-shaped photo stop, a fishing village, two paid water attractions, Lagoa do Paraíso, and a final dune lagoon.
- Valdenir, or Val: The guide is singled out for being attentive, professional, fun, and good with photos.
- Two hours at the main lagoon: Lagoa do Paraíso gets the longest stop, with time for lunch and rest.
- Extra fees apply: Blue Hole Caiçara costs R$40 per person, and Lagoa Azul costs R$40 per person.
- A full East Coast day: The tour runs about 6 to 7 hours and returns to the starting point in Jijoca de Jericoacoara.
Why the East Coast route works so well

Jericoacoara is known for sand, wind, and freshwater lagoons created by seasonal rain. This route gives you a broad sample of that setting without making you arrange separate rides between scattered stops.
The order also creates a useful mix. You begin with quick photo opportunities, move through Preá, spend time at the Blue Hole and Lagoa Azul, then finish with a longer break at Lagoa do Paraíso and a short stop at Lagoa do Amancio. It is not just a string of similar swimming holes.
I especially like the private setup. A group of four pays $102.02 in total, which works out to about $25.51 per person before the two entrance fees. That is solid value for a private vehicle and a 6 to 7 hour outing, particularly if you are splitting the cost with three companions.
The price is less attractive for one or two people. Add the R$40 Blue Hole fee and R$40 Lagoa Azul fee for each person, and the final cost rises quickly. Lagoa do Paraíso is included, which helps balance the extra charges.
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Arvore da Preguica starts the photo trail

The first stop is Arvore da Preguica, or Sloth Tree, on the East Coast route. You get about 20 minutes here, enough to hear the story of the place and take photographs.
This is a short opening stop, not a major swim or sightseeing session. That is useful because it gets you moving quickly while giving you an early picture of the unusual coastal scenery. If photography matters to you, Val’s reputation as a good photographer could make this brief stop more productive.
Do not expect a long visit. Twenty minutes goes fast, especially if several people want individual photos. Treat it as a warm-up for the day rather than a destination that needs a full hour.
Preá brings a local pause
Next comes Praia do Preá, a fishing village in the neighboring municipality of Cruz, Ceará. The stop lasts about 40 minutes and is meant for looking around, taking in the setting, and enjoying the atmosphere.
This is one of the route’s more grounded moments. The lagoons are the visual stars, but Preá gives you a sense of a lived-in coastal community rather than only organized swimming spots. You are not simply moving between pools made for day trips.
The stop is still fairly short, so the tour does not promise a detailed village visit. You will have time to know the place at a basic level, but not an extended cultural tour. I see it as a pleasant change of pace between the first photo stop and the water attractions.
Buraco Azul Caiçara adds a paid swim
Buraco Azul Caiçara is a popular stop in Cruz, Ceará, with crystal-clear water and strong photo appeal. You get about one hour here for a swim, photographs, and videos.
The entrance fee is R$40 per person and is not included in the tour price. This is an important detail for anyone comparing the tour with cheaper shared rides. The fee is modest in isolation, but it becomes part of the real budget for every member of your group.
One hour is enough for a refreshing stop, but it is not a lazy afternoon. You will want to decide early whether swimming or photography matters more. The water and color are the reason to come, while the limited time keeps this part moving.
The private vehicle helps here because your group does not need to coordinate with strangers. Still, private does not mean unlimited time. The day has five more stops, so the guide has to keep the schedule on track.
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Lagoa Azul gives you two hours by the water
Lagoa Azul is the first major relaxation stop. The lagoon is formed by rainwater and is described as having clear water. You get two hours here, though the R$40 entrance fee per person is extra.
This longer pause changes the feel of the day. After the short visits at Arvore da Preguica, Preá, and Buraco Azul, you finally have room to swim without watching the clock every few minutes. You can also use the time for photos and a slower break.
The two-hour allocation is one reason I think this tour suits people who want more than a driving circuit. You are not forced to treat every lagoon as a quick picture stop. At the same time, you should know that the itinerary has a set number of stops, so the guide may need to leave even if you would happily stay longer.
The entrance fee is the second major extra charge. For a group of four, the lagoon fees alone total R$320, combining R$160 at the Blue Hole and R$160 at Lagoa Azul. That amount is separate from the $102.02 private tour price.
Lagoa do Paraíso is the day’s main break
Lagoa do Paraíso receives another two-hour stop. This is the place to enjoy the water, have lunch, and relax, and its entrance fee is included.
For many people, this will be the most practical stop of the day. Lunch needs time, and trying to squeeze a meal into a 20 or 40 minute photo stop would make the route feel rushed. Two hours lets you combine food, water, and a proper rest before the final lagoon.
The tour information does not specify a restaurant, menu, or meal price, so plan on lunch being your own expense unless your booking says otherwise. The included admission is helpful, but it does not mean food is included.
I also like the pacing here. Lagoa do Paraíso comes after the paid Blue Hole and Lagoa Azul, so you have already seen two of the route’s main water attractions. This stop can be less about collecting another photograph and more about enjoying the place.
Lagoa do Amancio ends the route quietly
The last stop is Lagoa do Amancio, a dune lagoon formed by rainwater. You get about 30 minutes to see the clear water and take final photos.
This is a short finish, but it gives the route one more look at the dune-lagoon setting. After the long break at Lagoa do Paraíso, a half-hour stop feels manageable rather than tiring.
Do not book this tour expecting equal time at every lagoon. The schedule clearly favors Lagoa Azul and Lagoa do Paraíso, while Arvore da Preguica, Preá, and Lagoa do Amancio work as shorter scenic stops.
What private transport changes

The experience includes private transportation, and only your group participates. That is the central advantage over a shared outing. You can stay with your own companions, ask questions without a busload of people listening, and avoid the awkward pace that comes with collecting several unrelated parties.
The group limit is four people. For four, the base price is easy to justify because you divide the vehicle cost among the full group. For a smaller party, the same private arrangement feels more expensive, especially after adding the two R$40 admission charges per person.
WiFi is also included on board. That is a useful extra during a long day, though it should not be the reason you choose the tour. The real value is the private vehicle and the chance to move through the East Coast route with Valdenir.
The outing begins at Rua Principal, 120, Jijoca de Jericoacoara, and ends back at the meeting point. The supplied details do not promise hotel pickup, so check your exact booking instructions and plan to reach that address.
How Valdenir shapes the experience
The guide is named Valdenir, and feedback also refers to him as Val. The most consistent praise centers on his manner: professional, attentive, respectful, personable, and fun.
That matters on a private tour. You spend most of the day with one guide, so a rushed or distant driver would affect the whole outing. Here, the repeated emphasis on friendly service suggests that Valdenir pays attention to how each group wants to use the day.
His photography is another useful detail. The short stops are built for pictures, and a guide who knows how to frame the scenery can help you get more from them. You should still speak up about what you want photographed, especially if your group has different priorities.
The available feedback also includes Portuguese comments praising the treatment and saying the outing could be adjusted to suit the group. That supports the private format, though the published schedule remains fairly full. Flexibility may mean small choices within the route, not skipping half the stops or doubling the time at one lagoon.
Timing, comfort, and who should book
The tour runs about 6 to 7 hours, with operating hours listed daily from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Since the route includes six stops and a return to the meeting point, expect a full daytime activity rather than a quick morning ride.
I would choose this tour if you want a broad first look at Jericoacoara’s East Coast and prefer a private vehicle. It works particularly well for couples, families, or a group of friends who can share the base price.
It also suits people who enjoy a mix of activity and downtime. You get swimming at the Blue Hole, Lagoa Azul, and Lagoa do Paraíso, but you also get photo stops and time in Preá. The day is active without requiring a formal hike or long walking program.
You may want another option if you dislike scheduled routes, extra entrance costs, or repeated lagoon stops. The itinerary is efficient, but it is not designed as a slow, single-location beach day. Six stops in one outing means you will spend part of the day getting from one place to the next.
Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The information provided does not give more detailed mobility guidance, so ask the operator directly if your group has specific access needs.
Cancellation and booking timing
Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted. Cutoff times use local time in Brazil.
This tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 44 days. That does not guarantee every date will sell out, but it is a good reason to reserve early if you have fixed travel plans.
You receive confirmation at booking. The listed operating period runs from July 4, 2022, through September 3, 2027, with service shown Monday through Sunday.
Should you book the East Coast buggy tour?
I would book it if you want a private, photo-friendly day that covers the main East Coast sights without arranging several separate rides. The strongest reasons are the four-person value, the two-hour stops at Lagoa Azul and Lagoa do Paraíso, and Valdenir’s attentive style.
Before paying, budget for R$40 per person at Buraco Azul Caiçara and R$40 per person at Lagoa Azul. Also allow for lunch at Lagoa do Paraíso, since the meal is not listed as included.
Choose this experience for variety, friendly guiding, and a clear full-day route. Skip it if you want to spend the entire day at one lagoon or if your group is too small to make the private price comfortable. For up to four people who want to see a lot of Jericoacoara’s East Coast in one day, it is a practical and appealing choice.
FAQ
How long does the private buggy tour last?
The tour lasts approximately 6 to 7 hours.
How many people can join the private tour?
The private tour is for your group, with up to four people included in the price.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Rua Principal, 120, Jijoca de Jericoacoara, Ceará, 62598-000, Brazil.
Where does the tour end?
The activity ends back at the meeting point.
Which entrance fees are not included?
Buraco Azul Caiçara charges R$40 per person, and Lagoa Azul charges R$40 per person. These fees are not included in the tour price.
Is admission to Lagoa do Paraíso included?
Yes. Admission to Lagoa do Paraíso is included.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.
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