Brasil in August basic info please

[switchman]

Hi there, trying to plan a budget 16 day trip to Brazil, found a lot of useful info here, but few questions remains. I'm experienced kiter and my partner is not bad either, we like flat water but don't mind a bit of chop or small waves to mess about in as well. Not a big fan of crowded spots, but then if I can handle Tarifa in summer, what can be worst than that?

Questions:
Do we hire a car and travel spots our selfs from Fortaleza to Jeri, or do we pick three main spots and hire a beech buggy to explore around them?
If we do split it into 3x 5 day sections, what spots do you recommend away from crowds and other things to see if my legs give up from all the awesome kiting?
And if we go further up from Cumbuco, do I need a 12m being 100kg rider?

Any info much appreciated. Thanks!!

[Toby]

Bring all your gear. You don't want to miss any sunset session, which normally has a bit less wind.
And with 100 kg a 12 is like a trainer kite...

3 sections of the trip is a good idea. A car will give you flexibility to see different spots.
My suggestion is to hire one in Cumbuco, so a taxi picks you up at the airport and brings you to a guesthouse in Cumbuco.

Then do a day trip to Taiba and one to Paracuru.

Then maybe up to Ilha do Guajiru, 3 nights there.

Then Jeri some nights.

Then back to where you liked it the most, most likely Paracuru or Cumbuco.

You could rent a car only for Cumbuco, rest of transfer you organize with the guesthouses.
A rental in Jeri does not work, only if you get a 4x4, which is expensive.

Enjoy the trip of your life

[switchman]

Thanks Toby, great help as always. Is it ok to get to all the spots in a normal small car? Safe to drive around? Many thanks..

[Toby]

yes, small car no problem.
safe to drive around.

But, don't leave kite gear in the car. Recently we had many break-ins.

And never be last on the lagoons...pack up in time.

[Trikke]

...Cumbuco.
Then do a day trip to Taiba and one to Paracuru.
Then maybe up to Ilha do Guajiru, 3 nights there.
Then Jeri some nights....

Toby, next saturday I leave for a similar trip: from Fortaleza to Sao Luis, 3 weeks.
Main stops would be: Cumbuco, Paracuru, Ilha di Guajiru, Jeri, Atins (Lencois Maranhenses).
Do you know some other spots in between these ones are worth to stop?

[Toby]

Sounds like a great trip!

Check out Taiba for wave and flat water lagoon.
The downwinder from Taiba to Paracuru is great.

The River Mouth of Paracuru is sweet too.

Lagoinha has a sweet wave too.

Tatajuba after Jeri is also nice.

Check spots in here and find more: www.splocs.com

[Trikke]

Thanks Toby!

[Trikke]

Since on tourist guides I read controversial things, do you think it's better to travel with a good amount of local cash or is it safer with credit cards?
Are ATM easy to find?

[awo]

I always use cash and normally get a discount, sometimes up to 10 percent.Never had any problems with robberies and normally I leave the money in my suitcase in hotels, never even used safes. Maybe I am lucky.

[s1buell_wl]

This may sound funny but it works. Don't look like a tourist. Leave your chains, watches, expensive electronics and sandals at home. First thing you do when you land is buy a pair of cheap Havanas. Now your a Brazilian! If you look like you have cash you will get the look!

I did four weeks doing the same trip. I rented a car (cheap car at the airport) and then crashed at the cheapest places I could find (I never per-booked anything). I stayed one day in Cumbuco and then started to head west to all the locations these guys have stated. Then I hit Jeri......... hired a boy to drive the car to Jari...... then never left Jari, Time stands still in Jari. When you leave Jari not all of you will leave..... Be warned

Eat chicken pizza in the town center restaurant. Walking from the top toward the water you will come to an opening if you keep walking you will walk down to the beach. just as your reach the opening look to you right there will be a pizza place there.....eat!

We kited in the rivers, lagoons, fishing pools you name it. At night I simple do not remember. Something happen I'm sure of it. I guess you could call it Vegas syndrome.... at 11 or 12pm just follow the people it will happen... (hot tip) or talk to the ladies at the internet cafe, they will get you where you need to go.

Carry a cash reserve with you. Not all locations have International ATM connections. When I'm in the car I hide the cash in the car not on me. I keep a little just in case something happens (you have to give them something). BTW nothing has ever happen to me.

I'm positive something happen..... I have the missing brain cells to prove it!

Soon as I stop I hide it or lock it up. In Jari make sure you have cash. Some hotels there will give you cash and charge your visa if your really stuck (and your booked there).

These guys have the locations all nailed down for you. Oh when your in Jari try to share a buggy to cut cost. Just approach the buggy as a group. You will meet people there for sure.

Have a great one.... Email me if you ever return from Jari......