Home » Ceará Travel Guide » Tourism in the Cariri region of Ceará: A complete 3-day itinerary through the Araripe Geopark

The Cariri, situated in the south of Ceará, is one of Brazil’s most fascinating destinations. Known as a veritable ‘oasis in the middle of the sertão’, the region is a mosaic of cultural heritage, characterised by the strong influence of indigenous peoples — such as the Kariris — and by the blending of European and African traditions. This geographical isolation from major urban centres has preserved a unique identity, making Cariri and the Araripe Geopark a hub for folk dances, faith, science and popular literature.

Cultural Identity and Faith in Cariri

The spirit of Cariri is evident on every street corner. The region is a melting pot of artistic and religious expression, where faith moves the masses. The most iconic example is the devotion to Padre Cícero, a central figure in local history and one of the greatest phenomena of popular religiosity in Brazil.

What is the Araripe Geopark and its UNESCO designation?

Cariri is internationally recognised as home to the Araripe Geopark, the first geopark in the Americas to be recognised by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, a status it was awarded in September 2006. Covering an area of around 3,800 km², the territory encompasses six municipalities in Ceará: Barbalha, Crato, Juazeiro do Norte, Missão Velha, Nova Olinda and Santana do Cariri. This distinction stems from the unique geological significance of the Araripe Sedimentary Basin, which contains fossil deposits from the Lower Cretaceous period, including the world’s largest concentration of pterosaur remains, more than 20 orders of fossilised insects and some of the earliest flowering plant fossils ever found in the world — discoveries that are essential to understanding the history of life on Earth.

As well as its geology, the Cariri region is a hotbed of literary talent. The municipality of Assaré is the birthplace of Patativa do Assaré, one of Brazil’s greatest folk poets, whose work has immortalised the daily life and resilience of the sertanejo.

Before moving on to the itinerary, have a look at this video to find out a bit more about Cariri and the Araripe Geopark:

3-Day Tourist Itinerary in Cariri and the Araripe Geopark

The Cariri metropolitan area offers a tour that combines religious tourism, adventure, geology and culture. We have put together an itinerary designed to help you make the most of the Chapada do Araripe.

Day 1: Missão Velha and Barbalha – Between Fossils and Traditions

Start with Missão Velha, the historic gateway to the Cariri region, where Jesuit missionaries first settled in the 18th century.

• Cariri Petrified Forest Geosite: Located at the Olho D’água Comprido estate, it offers a view of fossilised conifer trunks dating back some 145 million years, from the late Jurassic period — including a species of fossilised conifer only identified by scientists in 2025.
• Missão Velha Waterfall: Fed by the River Salgado, it features three 12-metre-high drops and is an archaeological site containing evidence of indigenous settlement and rare geological formations.

In the afternoon, head to Barbalha, famous for the Feast of St Anthony and the ‘Pau da Bandeira’. The town boasts a stunning collection of historic colonial houses and is home to the Riacho do Meio Geosite, a natural refuge for the endemic soldadinho-do-araripe bird, which is threatened with extinction and found only in this region of Ceará.

Day 2: Juazeiro do Norte and Crato – Faith and Nature

Spend the morning at Colina do Horto, in Juazeiro do Norte. As well as the imposing statue of Padre Cícero, the site is home to the Living Museum and the 1914 War Wall, landmarks in the history of the Sertão. If you’d like to find out more about popular devotion and the pilgrimages in the region, do also take a look at our guide to Religious Tourism in Cariri: Padre Cícero and Pilgrimages.

In the afternoon, explore Crato, known as the ‘Princess of Cariri’. The town offers natural bathing spots and the Batateiras Geosite, situated in Sítio Fundão State Park, which is home to historic ruins and lush natural surroundings bisected by the River Batateira. For a bit of relaxation, the Lameiro Waterfall is a favourite spot amongst the locals.

Day 3: Nova Olinda and Santana do Cariri – The Heart of the Geopark

End your trip in “Cariri Oeste”.

• Nova Olinda: Visit the Ponte de Pedra Geosite (a spectacular rock formation) and the Casa Grande Foundation, a social and cultural project that is internationally renowned. Be sure to visit the workshop of Mestre Espedito Seleiro, an icon of leather craftsmanship.

• Santana do Cariri: The palaeontological paradise of the Araripe Geopark. Explore the Plácido Cidade Nuvens Palaeontology Museum, run by the Regional University of Cariri (URCA), and the Pterosaur Park Geosite, an excavation site where some of the largest pterosaurs ever recorded on the planet have been found. Also visit the Pedra Kariri Geosite. Round off the day at Pontal da Santa Cruz, enjoying an unforgettable panoramic view of the sunset over the Cariri region.

Extra Tips

If you have more time, explore towns such as Altaneira (hiking trails), Assaré (Patativa Memorial), Milagres and Mauriti. Cariri is a vast destination, where every stop reveals a new story — and a new chapter in the geological history of the Araripe Geopark.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cariri and the Araripe Geopark

What is the Araripe Geopark?

It is an area of around 3,800 km² in the south of Ceará, recognised by UNESCO since 2006 as the first geopark in the Americas. It encompasses six municipalities — Barbalha, Crato, Juazeiro do Norte, Missão Velha, Nova Olinda and Santana do Cariri — and is home to one of the world’s most important fossil collections.

How many days does it take to explore the Cariri region?

A three-day itinerary, such as the one in this guide, allows you to explore the region’s main geosites, museums and places of worship. Those with more time can include neighbouring towns such as Assaré, Altaneira and Mauriti.

When is the best time to visit Cariri and the Araripe Geopark?

The driest months (between August and December) tend to make it easier to access the trails and geological sites, whilst the rainy season (January to May) causes waterfalls, such as the one at Missão Velha, to flow more abundantly.

Where can you see pterosaur fossils in Cariri?

At the Pterosaur Park Geosite in Santana do Cariri, and at the Plácido Cidade Nuvens Museum of Palaeontology, which houses part of the fossil collection gathered from the Araripe Basin.

How do you get to Cariri?

The main route in is via Cariri Regional Airport (Juazeiro do Norte), with direct flights from Fortaleza and other state capitals. By car, the distance between Fortaleza and Juazeiro do Norte is approximately 530 km.

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →

Published on 26/05/2020 · Updated on 24/08/2026

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