Kiteboarding Brazil : The state of Ceara

What is it about Brazil? Why is it all over the news today?

Well, take thousands of miles of empty beaches, tropical temperatures and 6 months of guaranteed wind to begin with. Add to that affordable food and accomodation, mention the Brazilians and their positive attitude and your destination quickly becomes a kitesurfing paradise!

This is true for the state of Ceara which offers nearly 600 km of white sandy beaches with mostly side-onshore trade winds, with steady sea-breezes in the afternoon.

Those who have been to Brazil for kitesurfing will generally mention two spots:

Kiteboarding Cumbuco

The most publicized one is Cumbuco because of it’s kiting options and proximity to Fortaleza International Airport, which is only 20 miles away.

Cumbuco offers wave spots as well as flat water lagoons and the usual North-Easterly wind-swell. From the beach of Cumbuco you can ride 8 km’s downwind to Barra (or Lagoa) do Cauipe, a flat water lagoon next to the Ocean. It’s a great spot although it can get crowdy on the week-ends and during high-season (July to January).

The city has recently been revived and developed quite a lot over the past 3 years due to the influence of kitesurfing. You will find many pousadas (Bed and Breakfasts), restaurants and bars along the beach and in town.

Kiteboarding Paracuru

Another spot becoming well-known is Paracuru, about 80 miles West of Fortaleza. It is the largest city on the coast between Fortaleza and Prea.

Until recently it was known as a surfers city (even though there are no big waves). Many foreign kiters have purchased property here, so you can expect a mixed crowd in town. There are quite a few pousadas to choose from and you will find restaurants open at night as well as the traditional “churascos” (the brazilian barbeque) around the city square.

Pousadas (brazilian name for Bed & Breakfast) are located slong the entire stretch of the Brazillian coast, so you never have to walk for more than 5 minutes to your launching area. In most cases there is lodging right on the beach, which means all you have to do is wake-up, have breakfast and kitesurf.

Kiteboarding Prea

The 3rd beach that is getting noticed on the coast, is “Prea”. Prea is about 180 miles West of Fortaleza and 7 miles before Jericoacoara. This kite beach is a 10 mile-long bay with white sand, guaranteed side-onshore winds, and no obstacles.

70% of Prea is part of the National Park of Jericoacoara. No safety issues have been noted and the locals are friendly. Even better - fishermen will usually bring back lost gear after rescuing it!

A lot of people remember Prea for its unbelievable 10 mile sunset downwinders. You can get a buggy to drop you off at the East side of the beach and follow you along the coast. This is an experience you will never forget, they call it the “epic downwinder”.

There are also a couple of flat water lagoons nearby : Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Paraiso being the most popular.

It takes about 10 minutes to get there from Prea by dune buggy. The wind may be a little gusty, but the spots are beautiful.

With regards to the wind conditions in Prea : you can expect 20 knots in the morning and 25 to 30 in the afternoon, pretty much every day from July to December, and most years it will go into January or even February.

In Sept, Oct and Nov, you may get 4-6 days a month with 35 knots in the afternoon, due to the New Moon and Full Moon effects, so make sure you bring your smaller kites! 7 and 9’s are quite common here. Prea is a fishing village with 75% of the locals surviving on the income from shrimp, lobster and fish. Most of it is sold in Fortaleza or other large cities in the state of Ceara.

The area is starting to develop and already offers restaurants and hotels on the beach. A couple of them are open at night and all offer different atmospheres. It’s quite interesting during the Full Moon to walk around the beach without artificial light because of the reflection of the moon on the white sand. Every Friday night “Quarup”, a local MPB band, plays a mix of Popular Brazilian Music and reaggae, they usually setup at Vila Prea after sunset and play well into the night.

Jericoacoara

Jericoacoara is better suited as a windsurfing spot as the wind is very offshore.
If you are looking for some serious nightlife, Jericoacoara is only a 15-20 minute dune buggy ride away. Parties there goes on from midnight to 6:00 am.

Jericoacoara (now a city) used to be a small fishing village. It is now more of a touristic destination, “Jeri” has been a world famous windsurf destination for over 10 years, particularly known for it’s constant winds 6 months a year.

The newest spot on the beach is Vila Prea. It’s a small structure offering 7 beach bungalows and a restaurant which are officialy opening July 1st. Vila Prea is currently running a 30% opening discount and free wireless internet access for any bookings made prior to June 30th. Check out the following preview and pictures of the area and sign up to win a 10-day trip for two at www.vilaprea.com

Each bungalow has a large deck with room for hammocks, which offer views on the Ocean and on the sand dunes behind the property, all of them are on stilts and inter-connected by an elevated walkway.

The walls of the ecological bungalows are made of rock slabs with a eucalyptus structure. The stardesigned roof is covered with “carnauba” straw, a local palm tree called the “Tree of Life” named after it’s many uses locally and internationally.

Vila Prea’s open-bathroom: half of it is a tropical garden with an area to relax. The other is a roomy bathroom with two outdoor showers.

Sunrise on Prea Beach

Natives intrigued by the new sails on the water

The “barraca” (beach hut) provides shade, showers and shelter from the wind, it is located by the water. You can chill here between two sessions or enjoy a fresh juice and sandwich at any time of the day.

The local capoeira kids practice Capoiera, the ancient African martial art in front of the restaurant twice a week. Check out their presentation before sunset on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Vila Prea, the Restaurant, with Chef Apolinario

After spending 28 years working in the best restaurants of Sao Paulo, Chef Apolinario has moved back home and now supervises the restaurant and cooks at Vila Prea. He’s excited to work on the beach where he picks the seafood himself and provides fresh ingredients from the vegetable garden on a daily basis.

Obviously, it wouldn’t be Brazil without the “caipirinhas”, watch out for this dangerously refreshing drink! The lime and sugar will discreetly hide the “cachaça” contents, drink too many of these and expect a great time, plus a major headache in the morning! How to get to here: The closest international airport is Fortaleza Pinto Martins (airport code FOR). From there you can either take the bus or Vila Prea can organize your transport via the beach or by the road in 4 x 4 vehicles.

If you need any more info on the area or are looking for lodging, email us at info@vilaprea.com