It is administered by the state of Bahia under Region of Planning and Water Management IX, the Recôncavo Sul.

The river extends 107 kilometres (66 mi) from the municipality Castro Alves and empties into the Bay of All Saints.

The Rio da Dona flows parallel to the Jaguaripe, and joins its near the mouth of the bay.

[1][2] The river basin was home to speakers of Macro-Jê languages, ancient inhabitants of the Recôncavo Baiano region.

[2] The river has rich stands of mangroves among much of its lengths, as well as several small islands: the Paraíso, Carapeba, Santo Antônio de Jiribatuba, and Matarandiba.