Aracati Attractions
Aracati
Aracati lies near the coast on the Rio Jaguaribe, the largest river in Ceará state (which flows only during the rainy season), 142km/88mi south-east of the state capital, Fortaleza.
Bus station
Avenida C. Alexanzito
History
During the colonial period cattle from all over Ceará were driven to Aracati or some other port in the area for slaughter. The meat was then salted and hung up in charqueadas to dry. The prosperity of Aracati was based on the export of animal skins and dried meat.
Towards the end of the 18th century the methods which had proved successful here were introduced in the Gaúcho region of Pelotas, far to the south, which then developed into the leading center of dried meat production in Rio Grande do Sul.
Aracati lies near the coast on the Rio Jaguaribe, the largest river in Ceará state (which flows only during the rainy season), 142km/88mi south-east of the state capital, Fortaleza.
Bus station
Avenida C. Alexanzito
History
During the colonial period cattle from all over Ceará were driven to Aracati or some other port in the area for slaughter. The meat was then salted and hung up in charqueadas to dry. The prosperity of Aracati was based on the export of animal skins and dried meat.
Towards the end of the 18th century the methods which had proved successful here were introduced in the Gaúcho region of Pelotas, far to the south, which then developed into the leading center of dried meat production in Rio Grande do Sul.
Colonial Buildings
Colonial buildings
Aracati has a number of handsome 18th century buildings, including the mansion of the Baron of Aracati (Sobrado do Barão de Aracati), which now houses the Museu Jaguaribano (crafts, religious art); the church of the Senhor do Bonfim (1774); and the town's principal church, Nossa Senhora do Rosario (1785).
Aracati has a number of handsome 18th century buildings, including the mansion of the Baron of Aracati (Sobrado do Barão de Aracati), which now houses the Museu Jaguaribano (crafts, religious art); the church of the Senhor do Bonfim (1774); and the town's principal church, Nossa Senhora do Rosario (1785).
Aracati Surroundings
Canoa Quebrada, Brazil
Canoa Quebrada
The beach of Canoa Quebrada, with its reddish cliffs, mighty dunes and calm greenish sea, is famed for the pillow lace made by the local fisher women, its lively forró dances and its colored sand, which is used to model landscapes and many other subjects in glass bottles. In the second half of July the Festa de Canoa Quebrada is held here, with jangada regattas which vie with those of Aracati in the last two weeks of October.
The beach of Canoa Quebrada, with its reddish cliffs, mighty dunes and calm greenish sea, is famed for the pillow lace made by the local fisher women, its lively forró dances and its colored sand, which is used to model landscapes and many other subjects in glass bottles. In the second half of July the Festa de Canoa Quebrada is held here, with jangada regattas which vie with those of Aracati in the last two weeks of October.
Icapui, Brazil
Icapuí
Some 50km/30mi south-east of Aracati (27km/17mi on BR 304 Sul, then a secondary road) is Icapuí, with a number of beaches, in particular Ponta Grossa (steeply sloping coast with reefs and underwater rocks - for experienced divers only), Redondas, Mutamba (dunes of differently colored sand) and Tremembé (bordered by coconut palms; famed for its crayfish and its delicate pillow lace).
Some 50km/30mi south-east of Aracati (27km/17mi on BR 304 Sul, then a secondary road) is Icapuí, with a number of beaches, in particular Ponta Grossa (steeply sloping coast with reefs and underwater rocks - for experienced divers only), Redondas, Mutamba (dunes of differently colored sand) and Tremembé (bordered by coconut palms; famed for its crayfish and its delicate pillow lace).
Majorlandia, Brazil
Majorlândia
Majorlândia, 12km/7.5mi south-east of Aracati, is famed for its embroidery and lace. It is a stronghold of the jangadeiros, who fish, mainly for crayfish, from the simple fishing boats called jangadas. Round the village are beaches with heavy surf, mainly frequented by surfboarders.
Majorlândia, 12km/7.5mi south-east of Aracati, is famed for its embroidery and lace. It is a stronghold of the jangadeiros, who fish, mainly for crayfish, from the simple fishing boats called jangadas. Round the village are beaches with heavy surf, mainly frequented by surfboarders.
Jaguaribe Estuary
Jaguaribe estuary
16km/10mi north of Aracati, on the estuary of the Jaguaribe, is the beach of Fortim.
16km/10mi north of Aracati, on the estuary of the Jaguaribe, is the beach of Fortim.
