🏄 Guide to Prea: when to go, where to stay and what to do on the coast of Brazil

Prea is located in the northeast of Brazil, in the state of Ceará. It's a small resort village with a wide beach, constant wind, and simple pousadas by the ocean.

If you're tired of big hotels and city noise, you'll find the ocean, a lagoon, and dunes here. From Fortaleza to Prea it's about 245 km (as of 09/2026, Visit Brasil).

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What to know about Prea

💡 In short:

Prea works well for a beach vacation, kitesurfing, and relaxed one- or two-day trips.
You stay in a pousada by the ocean and cover the region's main spots in a day.

The village sits near Jericoacoara, so people often stop here on the way from Fortaleza. The climate is warm year-round: the local winter is mild, and the ocean stays comfortable for swimming.

The season largely depends on the wind. The dry period brings steady, strong wind, which draws kitesurfers from around the world to Prea. The wet season brings evening rains and calmer water.

The main factor for planning your trip: the dry, windy season. The Brazilian summer in Ceará brings the start of the rains. By late February, some restaurants close for the off-season, but in return you get empty beaches and easy booking.

How to get there from Fortaleza

The journey starts in Fortaleza, at Pinto Martins Airport. The easiest option is to rent a car right in the city: that way you set your own pace and stops along the way.

If you don't need a car, a private transfer works well: the driver will take you straight to your pousada.

For those choosing public transport, buses from Fretcar are an option, but the schedule changes by season and the route should be checked in advance (verified with the carrier on 13.09.2026).

Tours and tickets in Prea

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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Where to stay in Prea

Prea is built up with pousadas: small guesthouses in the local style. The selection is pleasantly large, and most options are within walking distance of the ocean.

Palm-thatched hut in tropical vegetation

An eco format is common here: palm-leaf roofs, wooden furniture, and nautical details in the interiors. These pousadas are valued for their atmosphere rather than hotel-level service, and you choose a pousada based on your budget and the ocean view.

A convenient way to find the right pousada is on Trip.com: see hotels in Prea on Trip.com.

Who it's for: those who want the ocean nearby, quiet, and local character.

What to see in Prea

The beach in Prea stretches for kilometers and is considered one of the widest in the state, so you'll find an empty spot even in high season.

Prea is known as a kitesurfing and windsurfing destination. The wind here is steady, and the shore is convenient for launching, so the village has schools where beginners get up on a board.

Besides kiting, you'll be offered classic surfing and sailing boat trips. Another way to see the surroundings: a buggy ride, with a route that runs along beaches and dunes over a couple of hours.

Tours and activities on GetYourGuide are easy to book in advance, especially in high season.

Places nearby: lagoon, rock, dune

About 15 km from Prea lies Lagoa do Paraíso (as of 09/2026, Visit Brasil guide). It's a lagoon with clear water and hammocks right in the water.

Hammocks over the turquoise water of Lagoa do Paraiso

Here you can swim, lie in a hammock, and have lunch at a waterfront restaurant. Come in the morning: by lunchtime the parking lot is already crowded.

Pedra Furada is an arch-shaped rock on the ocean shore. It's one of the most photographed spots in the region, so there's sometimes a line at the arch.

How to get there: on foot along the beach from Jericoacoara, about 30 minutes over the sand.
The catch: there's no infrastructure nearby, so bring water and a snack with you.

Duna do Por do Sol is best visited in the evening: the sandy slope offers the best view of the sunset. The dune is slowly shifting toward the ocean, so the shoreline here changes every year.

About food and local cuisine

Prea's cuisine is built on fish and seafood. The establishments split into lively waterfront bars with cocktails and quiet family restaurants.

Try the local cuisine of the region, as well as Brazilian and Peruvian dishes. Portions in Prea are usually large, so one plate will be more than enough.

For specific places, we recommend Restaurante da Lu: large portions, grilled seafood, and baked fruit. It's also an easy place to try açaí berry ice cream.

Açaí berries grow in the Amazon and are also harvested in Colombia and Venezuela. Some people say they taste like raspberries, others like currants, and still others like nuts. Açaí ice cream is served in many cafés in the village, and it's the easiest way to try the berry.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Fortaleza to Prea without a car?

Fretcar buses run from Pinto Martins Airport, but check the route in advance. A transfer is more convenient: the driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your pousada.

When is the best time to visit Prea?

The dry season is most comfortable, when there's little rain. During this time a strong, steady wind blows, which is what draws kitesurfers here. The local winter is mild, but some restaurants close for the off-season, so check venue schedules in advance.

Is Prea expensive?

Prea is considered a quieter place than neighboring Jericoacoara. The pousadas here are simple, and the cost depends on the season: prices are higher in high season. Check exact rates when booking on the hotel's website or on Trip.com.

Is Prea suitable for kitesurfing beginners?

Yes, the village has kitesurfing schools where beginners are taught from scratch. The wind here is steady and strong, and the wide beach gives you room to launch. Start with a trial lesson to see if you're comfortable on the water.

What to see near Prea?

Nearby are Lagoa do Paraíso with hammocks in the water, the Pedra Furada rock arch, and Duna do Por do Sol with its sunset. These three spots are usually visited in one day. There's no infrastructure at the rock, so bring water and comfortable shoes.

In short: what to book

Prea suits those who want ocean, wind, and a calm pace without big hotels.

If you have a car: book a pousada by the ocean and explore the coast on your own.
If you don't have a car: take a transfer from the airport and stay in the village center.

Book a car for the trip.

Prea in Brazil: kitesurfing, beaches and pousadas on the coast of Ceara