Home » Ceará Travel Guide » Ceará: The Best of Ecotourism and Extreme Sports in Brazil

Ceará is a destination that attracts tourists from all over the world, offering a variety of extreme sports and adventure activities, such as ecotourism, kitesurfing, hang-gliding and paragliding.

The Ceará Coast

When you think of Ceará, the image that immediately springs to mind is that of its 573 km of coastline, with warm, green waters, as well as 300 days of sunshine a year.

The beaches of Ceará invite visitors to relax and take in the natural beauty, attracting visitors all year round.

The Charms of the Sertão

However, Ceará’s charms extend beyond its beaches. The Ceará hinterland, famous for its monoliths, semi-arid climate and handicrafts, also captures the attention of Brazilians and foreigners alike, offering unique experiences.

Tourists in Search of Adventure

What’s more, lovers of water sports and flying sports are sure to visit iconic destinations such as Canoa Quebrada, Camocim, Fortaleza and Quixadá.

During the Wind Season, which runs from August to December, extreme sports enthusiasts flock from all over the world in search of the adrenaline rush provided by activities such as kitesurfing, windsurfing, hang gliding and paragliding.

Season of the Winds

At this time of year, winds reach average speeds of 30 knots, around 55 km/h, enabling athletes to push their limits on long-distance flights and perform impressive manoeuvres both on the water and in the air.

November and December are particularly eagerly awaited months, as they bring big names from the world of sport who shine on the waters and in the skies of Ceará.

Ecotourism and Extreme Sports in Ceará

Strength

For those seeking adventure, the capital of Ceará is a true paradise.

Praia do Futuro em Fortaleza no Ceará

The trade winds that blow along the coast make Ceará one of the best places in the world for windsurfing and kitesurfing. In Fortaleza, Praia do Futuro is one of the capital’s most popular spots for these sports, with good facilities including beach huts and schools, and consistent winds practically all year round.

In November, the Ceará coast hosts two of the world’s biggest international kitesurfing events: the Superkite Brasil, held in Cumbuco (Caucaia, in the Fortaleza Metropolitan Area), and the Ceará Kite Pro, at Praia do Preá, near Jericoacoara — both supported by the Government of Ceará and part of the world freestyle kiteboarding calendar.

Diving on the Ceará Coast

The coast of Ceará also offers ideal spots for diving. Pedra da Risca do Meio, 10 nautical miles from Mucuripe, is a site teeming with schools of fish and stingrays, with depths ranging from 17 to 30 metres and good visibility, making it Ceará’s main marine conservation area.

With regular trips and equipment hire, the diving services are supervised by professionals.

Adventures in Quixadá and Camocim

In Quixadá, situated in the central hinterland some 165 km from the capital, athletes from all over the world gather for the X-Ceará — World Free Flight Championships, aiming to push their limits and set personal bests in the cross-country (long-distance) discipline. In November 2025, the event reached its 29th edition, bringing together around 30 Brazilian and international pilots at the launch sites amongst the town’s famous monoliths.

The waters off Camocim, on the west coast some 365 km from Fortaleza, are buzzing with the thrilling Wind Slalom competitions, bringing together experienced Brazilian and international windsurfers.

Canoa Quebrada and the International Wind Festival

In Canoa Quebrada, some 160 km from the capital, the International Winds Festival takes place, featuring kitesurfing, windsurfing and paragliding, as well as a delightful raft regatta, which combines tradition and thrills against a stunning backdrop of cliffs.

Ideal Conditions for Sport

The ideal wind and water temperature conditions make the area perfect for windsurfing, surfing and kitesurfing, with national and international championships taking place in the region.

Schools where you can learn these sports can be found in Aquiraz, Beberibe and Canoa Quebrada.

The dunes, which serve as natural viewing points offering spectacular views, also provide opportunities for sandboarding. For those seeking thrills, major off-road competitions are held.

Attractions in Cariri and the Serras

In Cariri, the locals raise their hands not only to the sky, but also to applaud nature.

The Araripe National Forest – FLONA, known as the ‘oasis of the sertão’, forms part of the large Environmental Protection Area (APA) and offers visitors nature trails, bathing spots and therapeutic baths in natural pools, accompanied by specialist guides.

The Aratanha and Baturité mountain ranges

The Aratanha and Baturité mountain ranges, with their mild climate and lush vegetation, where temperatures range between 17°C and 22°C, offer opportunities to spot rare birds and animals.

Rivers, waterfalls and cascades provide the perfect backdrop for cycling, hiking trails, horse riding, fishing and extreme sports. For adrenaline junkies, activities such as abseiling, canoeing and paragliding are guaranteed.

Jericoacoara: A Must-See Destination

The beaches on the West Coast, such as Cumbuco, Taíba, Paracuru, Flecheiras, Icaraí de Amontada, Preá and Jericoacoara, are ideal for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing, attracting competitors from regional, North-Eastern, Brazilian and world championships.

The average wave conditions throughout the year make it possible to go surfing, whilst sandboarding is becoming increasingly popular on the dunes of Jeri and Paracuru.

Other kitesurfing spots on the west coast

Between Fortaleza and Jericoacoara, it’s worth checking out a few spots that aren’t quite as well-known but are very popular with those who already practise the sport:

• Taíba (around 72 km from Fortaleza): a mix of waves and flat water, with Lagoa da Taíba just a few minutes from the village — ideal for those who want to practise freestyle manoeuvres.
• Paracuru (about 90 km from Fortaleza): the Quebra-Mar spot forms a shallow, mirror-like lagoon at low tide, ideal for beginners, and becomes a wave spot at high tide.
• Lagoinha: reached by a downwind journey of around 2 hours from Paracuru, it is a deserted and unspoilt beach, best suited to experienced kitesurfers.

It is common to link these spots together on downwind runs (kite sessions riding downwind between one beach and another), always with the support of a rescue vehicle and a good knowledge of the area — it is never advisable to undertake this sort of run alone or without a local guide.

Paragliding and Ecotourism in Ibiapaba

In Tianguá, at Sítio do Bosco, 3 km from the town centre, there is a natural grass take-off area with plenty of space to set up equipment.

Praia de Jericoacoara - Ceará

The hang-gliding launch site has a camping area and a canteen, and hang-gliding competitions bring together pilots from the north and north-east.

The viewpoint offers a breathtaking view of the road cutting through the mountains, the waterfall and the hinterland.

Ubajara National Park – Ecotourism

One of the most enchanting destinations in Ceará, Ubajara, is situated 847 metres above sea level and the national park covers 6,288 hectares, with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 25°C. The park is famous for its natural beauty, such as natural pools, waterfalls and walking trails set against spectacular scenery.

Attractions at the Ubajara Cave

Hikes along the trails and swimming in the waterfalls offer direct contact with nature. One of the main attractions is the Ubajara Cave. At the park entrance, visitors can choose to reach the cave via a leisurely ride on the cable car or by walking along the trails, which vary in difficulty and are clearly signposted by ICMBio.

Getting off the cable car is a unique experience, with a considerable difference in height between the upper platform and the entrance to the cave, offering a stunning view of the landscape along the route.

The Ubajara Cave, with its chambers and rock formations, captivates visitors with its unique beauty. Stalactites and stalagmites form a natural spectacle shaped by water and time.

With a total length of 1,120 metres, only 420 metres of the cave is open to visitors, divided into nine chambers. The lighting makes the walk safer and allows visitors to better appreciate the natural formations, such as the Hall of Roses, Hall of Curtains and Hall of Portraits, each with its own distinctive features that live up to their names.

Summary table: where to practise each sport in Ceará

Destination	Main sport	Distance from Fortaleza	Best season
Praia do Futuro (Fortaleza)	Kitesurfing, windsurfing	In the capital	Aug–Dec (strong winds)
Cumbuco	Kitesurfing (Superkite Brasil)	~30 km	Nov (event) / Aug–Dec
Taíba	Kitesurfing (waves and lagoon)	~72 km	July–January
Parachute	Kitesurfing (Quebra-Mar)	~90 km	Jul–Jan (early Sept–Nov)
Jericoacoara / Preá	Kitesurfing, surfing, sandboarding	~300 km	Jul–Dec
Canoa Quebrada	Kitesurfing, windsurfing, paragliding	~160 km	Sept–Mar (weather) / Nov (festival)
Camocim	Windsurfing (Wind Slalom)	~365 km	Late November
Quixadá	Paragliding, hang-gliding	~165 km	Nov (X-Ceará) / Aug–Dec
Risca do Meio Rock	Diving	~18.5 km (by boat)	Feb–Jun (weaker winds)
Cariri / Araripe National Forest	Ecotourism, walking trails	~490 km	All year round
Baturité / Aratanha	Hiking, abseiling, canoeing	~90 km	All year round (mild climate)
Ibiapaba (Tianguá)	Paragliding, ecotourism	~325 km	Aug–Dec
Liar	Ecotourism, caves	~310 km	Jul–Dec

Approximate distances by road from Fortaleza. Use this as a guide for planning your journey — always check the latest route before travelling.

Frequently asked questions about extreme sports in Ceará

When is the best time of year to take part in extreme sports in Ceará?
The ‘Season of the Winds’, from August to December, is the most popular time for kitesurfing, windsurfing, hang-gliding and paragliding, with average wind speeds of 30 knots (around 55 km/h). November is when the main events and championships take place.

Where can you go kitesurfing in Ceará?
The main spots are Cumbuco, Preá, Jericoacoara, Taíba, Paracuru, Flecheiras, Icaraí de Amontada, Porto das Dunas and Praia do Futuro in Fortaleza, as well as Canoa Quebrada on the east coast.

Is Quixadá really one of the best places in the world for free flight?
Yes. Quixadá is considered one of the best locations on the planet for cross-country paragliding and hang-gliding, alongside destinations such as the New Mexico desert (USA) and regions of South Africa and Australia, thanks to its consistent thermals.

Do you need to be an experienced diver to visit Pedra da Risca do Meio?
You must hold a scuba diving certificate (open water or equivalent) to dive in the marine park, which is about 50 minutes by boat from Mucuripe Harbour in Fortaleza.

Is Ubajara National Park worth a visit?
Yes — it is Brazil’s smallest national park, but it features waterfalls, walking trails and the Ubajara Cave, which can be reached by cable car, making it one of the most comprehensive ecotourism experiences in the Serra da Ibiapaba.

Do I need previous experience to go paragliding or kitesurfing in Ceará?
No — both in Quixadá and at the main kitesurfing spots along the coast (Cumbuco, Canoa Quebrada, Praia do Futuro), there are schools with certified instructors offering lessons for beginners, as well as tandem paragliding flights for those who have never tried it before.

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