Ceará
is one of the most scenic of all Brazilian
States. Some of its beaches such as Jericoacoara,
Canoa Quebrada, Morro Branco have achieved
legendary status in Brazil and abroad because
of their extraordinary beauty. There are 356
miles of coast with 120 beautiful beaches with
immense dunes, coconut groves, natural springs,
cliffs, and sunshine almost year around with
an average temperature of 86°F (30°C).
Fortaleza is Ceará's capital and is
one of the most upbeat cities of the northeast
with exciting night life and wonderful seafood
restaurants. Due to its peculiar geography
- Ceará divides the seashore into east
and west where it's possible to see the sun rise and set
over the ocean.
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Located
about 200 miles from Fortaleza on the west
coast, Jericoacoara receives top billing among
the sites along the littoral of Ceará
. Many have tried to describe the magnificent
beauty of "Jeri", as it's also know
among its admirers, but no description would
ever be complete if you do not see it for
yourself. Clear and calm water joined by huge
sand dunes that tower almost 100 ft high and
maintain their noon day white all day, turning
golden in the early morning There are also
lagoons of indescribable colors, reefs, isolated
fishing villages and comfortable accommodations.
Quiet and peaceful for those who are looking
for just that and full of excitement for those
that want to party. Jeri became famous after
an article in the Washington Post in 1987
listed it as one of the ten most beautiful
beaches in the world.
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The
streets of Jericoacoara are not paved and
probably will never be, since any attempt
to lay asphalt would be quickly covered by
the encroaching fine white sand of the dunes.
Another great attraction of Jeri is the Lagoa
da Gijoca, just 13 miles away across the sand
dunes. The trip to Gijoca should only be undertaken
with the help of local guides who are familiar
with the route, otherwise you run the risk
of getting lost. Other notable beaches on
the west coast include Tatajuba e Bitupita,
the beaches farthest away from Fortaleza where
fishing is the only way to make a living.
Similar to Jericoacoara in many ways, these
beaches offer a more peaceful getaway due
to their isolation. Lagoinha, located 90 miles
from Fortaleza, offers the most perfect landscape
in Ceará. With nine miles of fine sand
beaches, it is a place where nature shows
its most magnificent face. In Lagoinha you'll find
a half moon shaped beach bordered by reefs
and resting peacefully between two wonderful
dunes decorated with coconut trees and protected
by a large sloping hill. Cumbuco, Fleixeiras,
Mundau, Torroes and Almofala offer more examples
of beauty and simplicity along the west
coast of Ceará.
Caponga,
Águas Belas and Iguape
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Caponga
and Águas Belas are the favorite beaches
of the locals for the weekend getaways.
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Caponga
it's not as beautiful as Aguas Belas but offers better
amenities such as places to rent kayaks and special
vehicles for traversing the sand. By contrast, Águas
Belas is one of the most beautiful places in Ceará,
located 48 miles east of Fortaleza it inspires peace and
calmness and display a beautiful range of colors from
emerald green to turquoise blues. The coconut trees
and the small sand dunes provide additional character.
Iguape is famous for its fishing community surrounded
by dunes. All day long Jangadas arrive from the sea
bringing many different types of fish, in many ways,
the village seems to survive on seafood alone.
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Morro
Branco and Praia das Fontes
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Beberibe,
54 miles east of Fortaleza, is the reference point to reach Morro Branco and Praia das Fontes, these two beaches offer
the first glance of the Falesias if you are arriving
from the west. From Beberibe to the Rio Grande do
Norte border the Falesias dominate the landscape
of Ceará's east coast. Morro Branco is famous
for its twelve-color beach, a wind carved 600 ft
"maze" amid the Falesias. Actually it's
a narrow path that winds through the rocks and hardly
lives up to its "maze" metaphor since
it's very easy to find the way out. Depending on
the hour of the day, the sun's reflection on the
Falesias plays like a ballet of lights and shadows.
Praia
das Fontes derives its name from the many natural
springs running down from the red Falesias into its
long and rather flat sand washed beach. It is a perfect
place for long walks where the erosion of the Falesias
resembles a landscape of some uninhabited planet.
At low tide the Mãe d'agua cave can be visited
and tourists have been known to wait hours for the
tide go down and be able to visit the cave. One of the greatest attractions of the
region is Lagoa do Uruau, a perfect spot for swimming
and taking in the sights.
| Canoa Quebrada and Ponta Grossa
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The
hippies discovered Canoa Quebrada during the 70's.
Until then, nobody had explored its splendors aside
from a few humble fishermen who had settled there.
This place is not just another beach, it became
legendary when it was recognized in Brazil and abroad
as one of the most gorgeous places in the world.
Located
98 miles east of Fortaleza, Canoa Quebrada has more
than ten inns, several of which offer rather pleasing
and comfortable accommodations. The only access
to the beach is via a one-kilometer walk over the
soft sand dunes. Canoa is only a small village in
Ceará where tourists may rent special vehicles
and hire drivers to explore other beaches by driving
along the seashore. It's also possible to go up
and down the slopes of the high dunes and stop for
a rest at the lagoons which form between the dunes
during rainy periods. These temporary lagoons look
like oases in the middle of the desert. Perhaps
this is what inspired many vacationing Europeans
to abandon their home countries and move here permanently.
Ponta Grossa is located about 20 miles from Canoa
Quebrada and is a place which seems to have everything
and nothing at the same time. Deserted during most
of the year, often the only sign of life for hours
will be a lonely fisherman walking along the beach
in search of a crawling lobster or a Jangada sailing
along the shore. A drive along the coast from Canoa
to Ponta Grossa will be an unforgettable experience.
Fortaleza,
the gateway to Ceará can be easily reached
on daily flights from Rio de Janeiro or São
Paulo.
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