Icaraizinho is a fisherman's small village situated on the Coast of Ceara, State of Brazilian Nordeste at 160 km from Fortaleza.
Stranger of the mass tourism, Icaraizinho is a spotlight of known windsurfing for a long time and protected by Brazilians but for only 3 years by the European tourists. This village is situated in the hollow of a bay of 6Km of length, ideally directed with regard to the wind and to the sunset.
The authenticity of the village is protected by proud Brazilians and defenders of their pearl but opened to the sports and environment-friendly tourism.
Under his true name, Icarai de Amontada, (different of Icarai at 20 km from Fortaleza), is a true paradise for fascinated windsurfers, that you practise the slalom or formula at the bottom of the bay, the freestyle or the wave at the top, either the speed on a secret spotlight in 10 min ...
Icaraizinho does not live only in the daytime harm, take advantage of evenings, whether it is in dunes around a fire of coco accompanied with one or several Caïpirinhas and with freshly grilled fishes, or in the local discotheque on Saturdays evenings (outdoors and hard-packed surface) or still during the big annual party (the regatta of fishermen's boats in November or the Carnival in February) and especially in clubs and bar of the village every evening, hanging during the competitions, in the full moon or simply to party.
Little Story
Icaraizinho has only hundred of years of existence. Very rich in groundwater, this place was chosen by the planters of coconut palms as the culture of the coconut. We use this coco for evening, to drink, to eat, to make fire-light, to control the flight of the sand (because of the wind), to make place settings and bowls ... But it was necessary to feed these farmers. The fishermen arrived to bring the fish and the spiny lobsters, the basic food to the place; as well as the farmers of manioc and Feijao (typical beans), the other food rich in the Brazilian cooking. This entire small world envolved and based families, to create Icaraizinho. Today the fishermen on their Jangadas are not alone any more on the water. They cross funny machines, not made for the fishing, with a flat hull, a sail which shine and which go much more fast: the windsurfing! Happy to share the sea and their constant wind, this "guy" will come to surf with you on waves!
Usefull Things
Language: Portuguese
Capital of Brazil: Brasilia
Régime: democracy current
President: "Lula" Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
Superficial: 8 511 965 km2, divided into 26 states
Population: 186 000 000 inhabitants
Religion: Catholic (75 % of the population in 2000)
Currency (Change): real (aprx. 1 euro = reais 3,0).
IMPORTANT: There is NO distributor of money and NO bank. Plan to remove from it from Fortaleza, from the airport for example. Also, NOBODY changes spot currency; however, we accept international currencies (euro, US dollars, Franc Suisse) in case of necessity.
Formalities: for French, passport confirms 6 months after return. Other nationalities, inquire with embassies or Brazilian consulates in your country.
Electricity: 220 volts (but ancient small index forms without mass)
Telephone: + 55 (international code of Brazil), 88 numero (village) and number of the correspondent.
Internet: there is a cyber in the village (4 reais the hour). The speed is still prehistoric in 52ko / sec! The ADSL will soon come to join us!
Average temperatures: air 29-35 ° (84-95°F). Water 29 ° (84°F)
Transfer since Fortaleza (the closest airport): Approx. 2H30
Health: no vaccine is compulsory. You will find a small pharmacy in the village which sells basic products (lotion anti mosquito, solar cream and few specific products). Do not forget your personal treatments. In the event of an accident grave, the closest hospital is Fortaleza. The helicopter is the fastest means in urgent situation (25 min, to take care by your private or mutual insurance).
Location
By the road: Icaraizinho is situated in approximately 2H30 on the West of Fortaleza. If you come by the road, take Estruturante Sol Poente CE 085 in the direction of the West on 150 km. Take the direction of Aracatiara, Icarai. When you meet the (white) panel " Amontada " or "Icarai", "Moitas" in 15 km, take the track on the right (Distance 27 km). It's an off-road.
By the beach: you can also join Icaraizinho by the road the closest to the coast, the beach! A vehicle 4x4 is indispensable and we recommend you to have an expert driver for certain relatively difficult passages! Total duration ( Fortaleza-Icarai): 5 hours. Possibilities of joining the beach along the way (for example, Mundau, Flexeiras, Baléia) to reduce the duration.
By bus: discover the charms of the Brazilian public transportation! One bus by day arrives at Icarai. It leaves at 9 am of main Rodovaria of Fortaleza, makes a big tour (stages in Itapipoca and Amontada) to arrive at 2:30 pm at Icarai on the place(square) of the village. Be careful, it is not the terminus! Cost of the ticket: reais 17 (that is approximately 6 euros)
We also organize transfers between Fortaleza and Icaraizinho in TAXI or 4X4. We (or a very serious driver) directly come to pick up you at the airport in the arrival of your flight. It is possible for people who come with a flight which arrives after 4.00 pm, we can organize a night stage in a 2-star hotel of Fortaleza to leave the following morning.
Activities
Except the windsurfing, activities are developing in the village. Every year, one new more!
Academie: on the place (square) of the village, discover the small room of body-building, named Academia. You can warm up the morning before or after your sailing period supervised by a professional for an absurdly low price.
Cyber: a little farther towards the center, you connect to internet to send of your news! You will be welcomed by some small young natives fascinated by computing. Price: $R4 per hour (that is aprox. 1,50 euro)
Restaurants: some restaurants are settled in Icarai. Few will propose you their menu, others will ask you to reserve during the day. In both cases, appreciate the good Brazilian cooking, treat you typical dishes, spiny lobsters, good meat or still freshly cooked or grilled fishes! We shall inform you about places and shall help you for your booking directly to the club.
Cultural/Natural trekking:
Discover the history of this village with "Lolo", our local guide who speaks now very well about French!
Visiting the Aracatiaçu River by local boat without motor and discover the mangrove and typical wildlife. Moreover, have a walk in sunset dunes! It seems to be Sahara place!
Strolls on by horse in dunes and on the beach.
Kite-club and pousada "Pais Tropical ": situated in the bottom of the bay, under the wind, the kite-club is supervised by three French. They also propose massages for the tired sportsmen/women! Site and Contact: www.pais-tropical.com
