Due to its proximity to Ecuador, the Northeast coast of Brazil is the closest thing to the Caribbean, although without hurricanes or sargassum. The state of Ceará -one of the nine that make up the region- has an extension similar to that of Austria, with a semi-arid climate, but a lot of biodiversity.
The trip (more than 5,000 km from Buenos Aires!) is not short, but the change of air will be more than remarkable: the average climate is 27 °C, the wind moderates the sensation of humidity and the infrastructure for tourism is diverse and efficient Ceará is one of those almost unknown destinations for foreigners, but highly sought after by Brazilians, among other reasons because its prices are between 15% and 20% cheaper than those of the beach circuits of neighboring Pernambuco and Bahia. Here are some of the best options to enjoy the Ceará coast.
Jericoacoara
Ceará has two national parks whose names rhyme, Ubajara and Jericoacoara, the latter the best known outside of Brazil for its postcards of submerged hammocks and the natural sculpture of Pedra Furada. The city center is only 33 km from the Jericoacoara Airport, a detail that is not minor: since it has close air access, "Jeri" went from being a fishing village with rustic accommodations, to an emporium of thousands of visitors per day, where buggy or quad rides through the dunes, the "beach clubs", stand-up paddle rental, windsurfing and walks to see the seahorse reserves are available, while at sunset they multiply the options of hostels with music and party (detail to take into account when choosing accommodation near the nightlife).
Jericoacoara can be enjoyed with walks and loungers facing the sea, but also with hectic tours through its dunes and lagoons. The tourist agencies (also the inns and the stands on the street) offer two types of circuits, the east and the west, which last between 5 and 6 hours, with stops in dunes and lagoons, as well as a break for lunch. The prices are fixed and are around US$21.00 per person if the ride is in a buggy; US$14.00 if it is in a jardineira (a van with a trailer) and about US$80.00 in an ATV, where up to two people enter and are led by a guide who points out the route. Sand slides, zip lines, skibunda and similar activities that appear during the tour are paid separately. And for those who do not want to embark on tours, there are trips to nearby attractions such as Lagoa do Paraíso, Lagoa Azul or Buraco Azul (all with very comfortable hostels and good restaurants); roundtrip transfer from downtown Jeri costs about $15 per person. It is advisable to pay the National Park access fee (USD 8.00) in advance, so as not to waste time in lines.
Cumbuco beach
Beira Mar Avenue -in the most central area of the capital, Fortaleza- has a wide range of hotels and entertainment. Its beaches, however, are not the best. Going a little further away, only 40 km from the Pinto Martins International Airport, Cumbuco beach has clean sea, a good hotel offer, beach clubs, a craft market and permanent activity. The place is a meeting point -national and international- for those who practice kitesurfing, since the trade winds do the rest (not surprisingly, Ceará is the largest producer of wind energy in Brazil). The activity on the beach revolves around kitesurfing, but there is a place for professionals and also for amateurs.
Mundau beach
150 km from Fortaleza, on the west coast of Ceará, is the town of Mundaú. Less accessible and with the air of having stayed in time, Mundaú adds beach, coral reefs that form natural pools, rivers, dunes and a wide range of attractions for tourists. In addition to the boat and catamaran rides, there is the fun skibunda (like the culipatín, but in sand), slides in the dunes and beautiful sunset viewpoints.
Preá beach
245 km from Fortaleza (so visitors can arrive through the neighboring and smaller Jericoacoara Airport), in the municipality of Cruz, is the small town of Preá. It is a natural paradise chosen by hundreds of kitesurfers from all over the world to take advantage of the beaches with constant wind, white sand, lakes and clear sky sunsets. With its location to the north of South America, Ceará receives winds that come from the tropics towards the Equator line and that are strengthened on the coast when they join the sea breeze. From July to January, the winds favor the practice of water sports and make this period the high season for tourism. But beware, it is not an exclusive destination for the "tribe" of athletes, because the family atmosphere predominates; yes indeed:
How to get there: Brazil has 230 weekly flights from Argentina, and daily connections to Fortaleza. Flights to the capital of Ceará are cheaper than arriving at the Jericoacoara airport, but the transfer becomes lighter since the transfer is 300 km from the capital to Jericoacoara.