THE LURE
Just north of Cumbuco, Paracuru boasts a flat water lagoon as well as classic freeriding conditions and some of the most legitimate wave riding in the area. This is one of the busier towns on this section of Ceará's coast with awesome kiting to the north and south. Taiba is another of Brazil's top spots, and less than an hour away.
Paracuru set up / PHOTO: Kiteworld
Fun wave conditions / PHOTO: Kiteworld
THE SET-UP
The main kite beach is a couple of kilometres from the town itself where all of the pousadas, restaurants and bars are, but it's only a couple of minutes drive in a beach buggy and most of the pousadas offer transfers. There's also a restaurant and bar at the spot.
Paracuru's main spot is tidal, so you can sometimes get two flat water sessions in a day. There's a reef a few hundred metres offshore with waves kicking up on the outside on lower tides before the lagoon fills up for flat water shredding on high tide. There's not a lot of space on the inside when the tide's low, but if you get there early then you and a couple of friends can score your own private mini-lagoon sesh!
Paracuru is located in a downwinder-rich region of Ceará that offers up countless adventurous routes and companies like Freeride Kitesurf and Surfin Sem Fim can arrange some epic excursions for you during your stay. KiteFriends Paracuru also run downwinders closer to town.
WIND, WEATHER & WATER
The season starts up properly in August and runs until January (September to November are the peak months) and you’ll get very similar winds here as in Cumbuco, (in fact it’s generally windier here because it’s a bit further north). Expect 18 - 26 knots daily between 10am and 4pm before it backs off a bit ahead of sunset, which is around 6pm. Daytime temperatures hover at around 29°C / 84°F before dipping to a balmy 23°C / 73°F at night. The water temperature sits at a comfy 27°C / 80°F for the majority of the year, so no wetsuits are needed.
SCHOOLS
KITE FRIENDS, PARACURU is based at the beach and teaches all levels of rider with the support of Headzone radio helmets. Airush and RRD equipment is available for hire and ION clothes and accessories are sold in the shop. Kitefriends also run downwinders departing from Taiba lagoon down to Paracuru and elsewhere. Languages: English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.
Languages spoken by instructors: English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.
kitefriendsluxpousada.com
kitefriends2013@hotmail.com
TRAVEL AGENTS
Surfin Sem Fim - If you want to experience Brazil at its best, and enjoy a unique, world-class kitesurfing adventure along some of the most beautiful coast lines in the world, the Surfin Sem Fim team have got you covered. Sign up for an unforgettable immersion in wind, water, nature, beauty, adventure, and physical challenge in the best of Brazil!
www.surfinsemfim.com.br
contact@surfinsemfim.com.br
Freeride Kitesurf specialise in organising unique downwind adventures and tailor-made trips along the coasts of Brazil and South Africa. Booking a trip with them is a guarantee of adventure, discovering unspoilt and uncrowded spots with unbeatable conditions for kitesurfing. Every detail of the trip is taken care of by a professional team with huge local expertise.
www.freeridekitesurf.com
contact@freeridekitesurf.com
ACCOMMODATION
PARACURU KITEFRIENDS LUX POUSADA is one mile from the kite spot and offers free wifi and breakfast. A swimming pool, beautiful gardens, barbecue facilities and a bar are also on hand. Rooms have air conditioning, minibar, queen-size beds, plasma TV with satellite and individual safes.
kitefriendsluxpousada.com
kitefriends2013@hotmail.com
We stayed in Paracuru Kite Village, an enclosed oasis set close to the main town a couple of kilometres from the kite spot with good facilities in more of a relaxed, friendly hostel style of accommodation that won't break the bank and is popular with lots of traveling kiters. (www.paracurukitevillage.com) There are lots more kite-accommodation businesses here and some good budget options. If you're looking for top end luxury you may have to look further.
TRAVEL AGENTS
Surfin Sem Fim - If you want to experience Brazil at its best, and enjoy a unique, world-class kitesurfing adventure along some of the most beautiful coast lines in the world, the Surfin Sem Fim team have got you covered. Sign up for an unforgettable immersion in wind, water, nature, beauty, adventure, and physical challenge in the best of Brazil!
www.surfinsemfim.com.br
contact@surfinsemfim.com.br
Freeride Kitesurf specialise in organising unique downwind adventures and tailor-made trips along the coasts of Brazil and South Africa. Booking a trip with them is a guarantee of adventure, discovering unspoilt and uncrowded spots with unbeatable conditions for kitesurfing. Every detail of the trip is taken care of by a professional team with huge local expertise.
www.freeridekitesurf.com
contact@freeridekitesurf.com
NO WIND
It's very rare to encounter a no wind day during the season but, if you do, there are the regular Brazilian activities, such as surfing, buggy tours, capoeira, yoga, beach walks and of course chilling by the pool or on the beach.
GET AROUND
Paracuru is a well equipped town with restaurants, much more so than the majority of villages you'll pass along the way, and this, along with its variety of conditions and bearably close 90 minute proximity to Fortaleza airport, all contribute to making it a popular spot. There is a good kiting crowd and a lively atmosphere in the height of season.
CURRENCY
Brazilian Reais (R$) - £1 = R$4 / €1 = R$3 / US$ = R$2.5 As previously mentioned, try to organise your cash at the airport or before you come as we found lots of ATMs wouldn't accept international cards. Most restaurants accept card payments though.
FOOD & DRINK
Close to the spot there's a popular restaurant serving all sorts of classic Brazilian beach foods all day long. A local favourite is the 'baio do doixe' rice dish and there are chicken and meat dishes too, but the real treats are the fish options.
Paracuru is well equipped with restaurants; much more so than the majority of villages you'll pass along the way. This, along with its close proximity to Fortaleza airport (90 minutes) and a variety of kiting conditions, make it a popular spot. In season, Paracuru usually has a good crowd of kiters around town and it's lively in the evenings, too. There are cocktail bars and restaurants close to the main square in the town as well as a mix of traditional Brazilian restaurants. Most pousadas serve lunch and dinner.
AIRPORT
From Fortaleza Pinto Martins (FOR) is around 90 minutes from Paracuru. Check with your accommodation for transfers or hire a car - there is lots to explore!
TRAVEL AGENTS
Surfin Sem Fim - If you want to experience Brazil at its best, and enjoy a unique, world-class kitesurfing adventure along some of the most beautiful coast lines in the world, the Surfin Sem Fim team have got you covered. Sign up for an unforgettable immersion in wind, water, nature, beauty, adventure, and physical challenge in the best of Brazil!
www.surfinsemfim.com.br
contact@surfinsemfim.com.br
Freeride Kitesurf specialise in organising unique downwind adventures and tailor-made trips along the coasts of Brazil and South Africa. Booking a trip with them is a guarantee of adventure, discovering unspoilt and uncrowded spots with unbeatable conditions for kitesurfing. Every detail of the trip is taken care of by a professional team with huge local expertise.
www.freeridekitesurf.com
contact@freeridekitesurf.com
