'''Ceara''' is a state in Northeast Brazil. Traditionally one of the poorest in the country, certain regions have developed almost beyond recognition over the last 20 years, mostly from tourism and light manufacturing. The population is closing in on 9 million, of which almost a third lives in the capital, Fortaleza.
Regions
The coast is quite different from the inland. While the state features a range of nice beaches, including a few of countrywide fame, the only developed destination further in is Guaramiranga.
Cities
Crateus
Eusebio - On the outskirts of Fortaleza.
Fortaleza
Juazeiro do Norte, -''deep'' inland.
Russas -center of an agricultural region.
Sobral
Other destinations
Camocim, the most well preserved fishing village in the region.
Canoa Quebrada Excellent nightlife and more sandstone cliffs - 2.5 hours east of Fortaleza)
Cumbuco is known as one of the best places in the world for kitesurfing.
Jericoacoara Rated among Brazil_Ls top beaches.
Morro Branco (Beautiful beaches with adjacent sandstone cliffs, one hour by bus east of Fortaleza)
Mundau, still not fully developed, nice beaches and dunes.
Prainha
Ubajara National Park (Caves and Waterfalls in the interior of Ceara 5.5 hours West of Fortaleza)
Prea, wide open beach (12km) the most reliable kitesurfing playground on earth between mid. july to mid. january.
Understand
Talk
Get in
Get around
Good bus connection along the main highway, with Fortaleza as the obvious hub. Scarcer to smaller town, especially at night.
The only air travel worth considering within the state is to between the capital and Juazeiro do Norte.
See
Itineraries
Travel by beach buggy along the coast from Fortaleza to Natal, stopping in Canoa Quebrada and a couple of other spots. Typically 4 days, can be arranged with many travel agencies in both ends.
West from Fortaleza there are many nice beaches before hitting the most famed, Jericoacoara. Or you could stop by Sobral to get a feel of the inland. Camocim is ''the'' Brazilian fishing village, almost on the border of Piaui.
Do
Due to its constant breezes and otherwise stable climate, Ceara has slowly conquered the fame of '''Kite Surfing Paradise'''. Most of the coast is suitable, but the prime destinations are Cumbuco, followed by Flecheiras.
Eat
While the standard Brazilian lunch is always accompanied by rice and beans, the latter in a gravy of sorts, the ''cearenses'' prefer '''Baiao de Dois'''. This is also made from rice and beans, only cut the gravy and add melted cheese in stead.
Go away from the coast, and the '''panelada''' will appear on the menu. This is a sort of stew mostly made of tripes.
'''Crab''' is at its most popular in this state, particularly on the beaches around Fortaleza. Most commonly served by itself, with a tray and a wooden hammer to get access to the goodies. Some would consider this more of a pastime than a meal.
'''Feijao Verde''' is white(!) beans in a sauce of cheese and cream, and whatever else the cook chose to throw in.
'''Peixe a Delicia''' is fish, fried bananas and cheese in a creamy souce.
Drink
Even though the '''coconut''' can be found along most of the Brazilian coastline, Ceara is the state that arguable has the most of it, and sometimes priced as low as 50 centavos cold and ready to drink.
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