Preá: Complete Guide [2026]

Preá sits 14 km north of Jericoacoara and is, without exaggeration, one of the best kitesurfing spots on the planet. Side-onshore winds of 20–35 knots blow with near-100% consistency from July to January, and the beach hosts more than half a dozen schools along a single stretch of sand. The water is shallow and flat — perfect for progression and freestyle.

The question everyone asks: Preá or Jeri? The answer depends on what you're looking for. Jericoacoara is the complete village — nightlife, restaurants, lagoons. Preá is more focused: people come here for the wind, the flat water and a quieter vibe. In recent years, a cycle of high-end investment has been transforming the village, with luxury guesthouses, new restaurants and growing infrastructure — but Preá still keeps the pace of a small beach town.

Quick summary: Capital of kitesurfing. Shallow flat water, schools for all levels, iconic downwinder to Jeri. Rapid luxury growth, but still laid-back.

When to Go

For Kitesurfing

Period	What to Expect
Sep–Nov	Peak wind — 5–9 m² kites, world championship conditions
Jul–Aug	Start of season — consistent winds, beaches less crowded than peak
Dec–Jan	End of season — wind still good, more holiday tourists

For General Tourism

Preá works year-round, but between February and June the winds drop and the village gets quieter. This is the low season — lower prices, less movement, good for those who don't depend on the wind. From July onward, the village comes alive with the arrival of kiters.

Tip: September–October is the sweet spot — strong wind, fewer people, lower prices than the July–August peak.

How to Get There

Nearest airport: Jericoacoara (JJD) — ~20 min by 4×4 Main alternative: Fortaleza (FOR) — ~4h30 by transfer

The most common route is the same as for Jericoacoara: fly to Fortaleza, then road transfer (~4h30) to Jijoca de Jericoacoara. From Jijoca, it's just 15 minutes by jardineira (4×4 truck) or 4×4 to Preá — closer than Jeri itself. Those flying directly into Jericoacoara airport (JJD) arrive in ~20 minutes by 4×4.

The CE-182 road was recently paved, so car access to the Preá junction is easy. From there, the final stretch is sand — 4×4 or transfer required.

Layer 3 (app-only): Verified transfer contacts, updated prices and direct booking are available in the app.

What to Do

1. Kitesurfing — Flat Water Paradise

Praia de Preá is one of the most complete kite spots in the world. The water is shallow for hundreds of metres, the bottom is smooth sand and the side-onshore wind blows with near-perfect consistency in season. The village has schools for all levels — from first-timers who've never stood on a board to advanced riders training freestyle. Equipment rental is available at virtually every school on the beach.

2. Downwinder Preá → Jericoacoara

The classic. It's ~14 km of downwind riding, passing deserted beaches and Pedra Furada — the most photographed rock arch in Ceará. It's the most iconic introductory ride in Northeast Brazil and works for intermediate kiters and above. Preá's schools organise the downwinder daily in season.

3. Lagoa de Jijoca

A few minutes from Preá, Lagoa de Jijoca is a freshwater lagoon surrounded by dunes. Great for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding and a break from the wind. In the rainy season (March–June), the water level rises and the lagoon becomes even more beautiful.

4. Day Trip to Jericoacoara

Preá is just 15 minutes from Jeri by jardineira (4×4 truck). You can go in the morning, have lunch, climb the Duna do Pôr do Sol and return at the end of the day — or vice versa. Many kiters staying in Preá make this day trip to enjoy Jeri's nightlife and restaurants.

Where to Eat

Preá doesn't have Jericoacoara's gastronomic variety, but the scene is evolving fast. There are already good beachfront options — from restaurants with creative menus to simple stalls serving fresh fish and açaí. Standards are rising alongside the village's growth.

In general, expect to spend between R$ 40–80 per meal at the more established restaurants and R$ 20–40 at simpler options. For a full dinner with drinks, the range is R$ 80–150 per person.

If you want more options, Jericoacoara is 15 minutes away — and has everything.

Where to Stay

Zone	Vibe	Best For	Price Range
Beachfront	Feet in the sand, direct access to the kite spot	Kiters, couples, those who want premium	R$ 400–1,200/night
Village	Sandy streets, simpler, close to everything	Budget travellers, backpackers	R$ 150–400/night
Near Jijoca	Easy car access, more practical	Families with a car, those who want mobility	R$ 200–500/night

The beachfront zone is where the high-end guesthouses are — many with a bed-to-board model (you walk straight from your room to the kite spot). It's the most expensive zone and the first to sell out in high season. Book at least 2 months in advance between July and November.

The village has more affordable options, with smaller guesthouses and chalets. The finish is less polished, but the location is central and you're a few minutes' walk from the beach.

For those arriving by car, the near Jijoca zone offers paved road access and easy parking — but requires a transfer or 4×4 to reach the beach.

Plan your trip to Preá

Tides, routes, vendors — everything you need to plan.

4 places mapped

1 access route

Real-time tides

5 verified vendors

Know someone planning this trip? Send it their way.

Practicalities

ATM: Yes — but limited. Withdraw cash in Jijoca or bring it from Fortaleza.
Mobile signal: Moderate — works in most areas, but may drop in specific spots.
Wi-Fi: Only at guesthouses and restaurants. Don't count on a stable signal outside them.
Access: Paved road via CE-182 to the junction, then 4×4 or transfer to the village.
Cash: Many places accept cards, but having cash is essential for stalls and smaller services.
Pharmacy/shop: Basic in Preá. For bigger purchases, go to Jijoca (15 min).

Summary

Item	Detail
What it is	Capital of kitesurfing — flat water, schools, luxury growth
When to go	Jul–Jan (kite), peak Sep–Nov. General tourism year-round
How to get there	Fortaleza (FOR) + 4h30 transfer to Jijoca + 15 min to Preá
Differentiator	Shallow flat water, 20–35 knot winds, downwinder to Jeri
ATM	Yes (limited)
Signal	Moderate

Frequently Asked Questions

Preá or Jericoacoara — which to choose?

It depends on what you're looking for. Preá is for those who want world-class kitesurfing, tranquillity and a more exclusive vibe. Jericoacoara has more infrastructure — restaurants, nightlife, lagoons, activities for non-kiters. The good news: they're 15 minutes apart, so you can enjoy both.

Can non-kiters enjoy Preá?

Yes, but with adjusted expectations. The beach is beautiful, Lagoa de Jijoca is excellent, and the day trip to Jeri is always available. But Preá is, first and foremost, a kite village — if you don't practise any wind sport, Jericoacoara is probably a better base.

How to get from Jericoacoara to Preá?

By jardineira (4×4 truck) along the beach — it takes about 15 minutes. The jardineiras run several times a day. You can also go by buggy or, for kiters, do the downwinder by kite.

Is Preá expensive?

Preá is getting pricier with the growth of luxury tourism, but there are still options for different budgets. High-end beachfront accommodation can exceed R$ 1,000/night, but the village has guesthouses from R$ 150. Food ranges from R$ 25 (beach stall) to R$ 150 (full dinner).

What's the mobile signal like in Preá?

Moderate. It works in most areas of the village, but don't expect stable 4G all the time. Wi-Fi at guesthouses is usually reasonable. If you need to work remotely, it's worth checking the Wi-Fi quality of your accommodation before booking.