After the Maratona Internacional de Fortaleza: Jericoacoara and Cumbuco
The Route: Fortaleza → Jericoacoara → Cumbuco → Fortaleza Airport (FOR) Logistics: Road transfer to Jijoca de Jericoacoara, then a 4x4 to the village. The return runs by road back towards Fortaleza, with a stop at Cumbuco. Marathon Month: April Duration: 3 nights
Fortaleza ──(about 5 to 6 hrs by road)──> Jericoacoara (2 nights) ──(road back, 4x4 then vehicle)──> Cumbuco (1 night) ──(about 25 km)──> Fortaleza Airport (FOR)
This plan puts the long journey at the start and a short one at the end. Two nights in Jericoacoara give you a village of sand streets and one unhurried day. The final night at Cumbuco, a fishing village about 25 km north-west of Fortaleza, leaves you close enough to the city that the flight home is not a worry.
April in the region: both places are on Ceará's coast, in the wet season. Expect short, heavy showers and warm days. The kite-wind season for both villages runs later in the year, from about July, so April is the quiet end. The high season for Jericoacoara is June to August and December to January, and April rooms are easier to find. Pack a rain shell.
Getting to Jericoacoara
Girafatur lists the outward trip and the return on different days, so book those as two separate services and confirm hotel pick-up, the vehicle change at Jijoca de Jericoacoara and the luggage limit. Published journey times to Jijoca run from about 4 hours 30 minutes by hired car to about 6 hours by bus. The last stretch from Jijoca to the village is made by 4x4 over sand, as vehicles cannot drive into the village. Keep to the Monday after the race for this journey and take a break to walk about on the way.
Nights One and Two: Jericoacoara
Village streets are sand. Soft sand is hard work for tired calves and Achilles tendons, so keep the first evening short and stay in the main lanes. Pousadas are scattered close to the centre, so choose one within a short walk of where the 4x4 drops you.
The second day is the free one. The dune at the edge of the village is the traditional sunset spot, but it is a steep soft-sand climb that punishes sore quadriceps. Watch the sunset from the lower slope or the beach. Longer excursions are usually by buggy. Tatajuba and Lagoa Azul can only be reached that way, and a buggy with driver is sold by the vehicle, for up to four passengers. The ride is rough, so ask for a gentle driver and pick a short route.
Night Three: Cumbuco
On the third day, take the return transfer from Jericoacoara and continue by road towards Fortaleza, stopping at Cumbuco. The sandy beach in front of the village is flat and long, and the barracas along it serve fish and shrimp. The dunes behind are for buggy rides, which are bumpy, so keep any ride to a short one.
Book a pousada or hotel in the village the night before your flight. Cumbuco is about 25 km from Fortaleza, which keeps the transfer to the airport manageable and removes the long drive from your departure day. Ask your accommodation about transfer times and fares.
Getting Home
Pinto Martins International Airport (FOR) is the airport for your flight. From Cumbuco, arrange a taxi or private transfer for the following morning and leave extra time, since city traffic can slow the approach. Do not book a flight for the very early morning after the last night without confirming the transfer time with your host.