Canoa Quebrada & Galinhos
We suggest you discover Canoa Quebrada and Galinhos, two essential stops on the “road of the cliffs” (“Rota das Falésias“) between Fortaleza and Natal. A tailor-made itinerary for kiteboarders or to go discover a colorful and contrasting coastline and take long buggy rides on huge exotic beaches.
Geography and climate
Brazilian nature offers an unusual succession of immaculate beaches and colorful cliffs under an ideal climate for an awe-inspiring experience, from Fortaleza in the north, which isn’t of much interest for nature lovers, to Natal in the south, the “City of the Sun” in the permanent summer, a pleasant seaside resort. Canoa Quebrada and Galinhos are the best places to visit there.
This coastline of more than 500 kilometers benefits from the same semi-arid climate as Jericoacoara, whose number of rainy days decreases as we get closer to Natal The thermal amplitude is impressively low, oscillating between 28 and 32 degrees Celsius all year round. We would have a hard time telling you when is a bad time to come to this region, especially since a gentle tropical breeze from the south of the state of Rio Grande do Nord blows there all year round. It should be noted, however, that intense and constant winds blow for most of the year; they shape and shape this coastline again relentlessly, much to the viewer’s delight.
Canoa Quebrada - Brésil
Galinhos - Brésil
- Idéal > from June to December
- Suitable > in January and February
- Other periods > Contact us
Alternate calendar for kiteboarders:
- Ideal > from September to January (at the heart of the kiteboarding season)
- Suitable > in August and February (beginning and end of the season)
- Contact us > July
- March and June : don’t even think about it !
A few words about Quebrada and Galinhos
The villages of Canoa Quebrada and Galinhos are part of the “Rota das Falésias” between Fortaleza, in the state of Ceará and Natal, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. These are two very different places but they are a good example of the multitude of stages that this rich coastal territory offers all along the coast. An itinerary which is ideal by buggy. This vehicle, derived from the famous Bug, is the most suitable vehicle for Brazil’s beaches. Getting into one of these buggies instantly gives you the feeling of a Brazilian-style adventure. We say “adventure”, because they allow you to go on long rides in total autonomy and over several days. “Brazilian style” because you have to remain respectful of the landscapes you’re visiting and of the customs of the Brazilian people.
On this route, the small villages of Morro Branco, Fortim, Redonda, Galinhos, São Miguel do Gostoso and many others will charm you with their beauty, typical of this region. What’s more, you will certainly be fascinated by the curves of beaches with their lines so pure and colors so bright that they seem unreal. So much so that the desire to stop on the way to pinch yourself to make sure you are not dreaming is frequent…
The “Rota Das Falesias” is probably the most beautiful and longest succession of beaches accessible by buggy.
A little history… and some stories.
Canoa “Quebrada”, broken…why?!
The name of the beach Canoa Quebrada comes from the fact that the Dutch caravans often washed up on this coast a few centuries ago. Having no equivalent for the name “caravel” at the time, the inhabitants gave them the same name as the small boats of Indian origin that are still used today at sea and on rivers to fish. The name Canoa Quebrada actually means “broken canoe”.
A poetic story that sets the tone for the region
The symbol of Canoa Quebrada is engraved and clearly visible on the cliff: a moon and a star. The origin of this symbol varies according to sources and beliefs. Local storytellers say that at the time of the shooting, the French worked a lot during the day but at night they indulged in the pleasures of the world. One of the crew members, of Moroccan origin and very faithful to his religion, was reportedly feeling guilty because of his nocturnal deviance. To apologize to his god, he carved the moon and the star on the cliff, symbols of his flag and his native land. Today they are the icon and symbol of Canoa Quebrada. Another legend has it that the symbol is the work of a jeweler who used the crescent moon and star in his jewelery and decided to engrave these shapes in the rock of Canoa Quebrada about thirty years ago. Others see an astronomical explanation, stating that once a year in Canoa Quebrada there is a phenomenon called “Casamento dos céus” (“Marriage of the skies” in French) during which the Moon can be seen very close to the Shepherd’s Star, also known as Venus. Other more poetic beliefs see in the Moon, a feminine even maternal symbol, which meets masculinity with the star sometimes interpreted as being the Sun or the five senses… You are free to choose the explanation that suits you most!
In Galinhos, step into a wonderful storybook
In Galinhos time seems to have stopped. You will find “donkeys-taxis” that walk along quiet streets where there are very few shops, about fifteen rural and welcoming Pousadas… and almost no telephone network. Hammocks are everywhere, so is coconut water. As they say there: it is good to live in the shade and with fresh water.
However, this small fishing village does not go unnoticed, and for a good reason! It is surrounded by a lush vegetation, many mangrove forests and white mountains of salt. This inlet is bordered by white and round dunes on one side. On the other side is a mangrove forest on the island of snakes whose canals form a real labyrinth. Galinhos which is surrounded by all these natural wonders is one of the only signs of human presence in the area.
Our expert opinion
A surprising diversity that is worthy of your time
Don’t underestimate the Road of the Cliffs. Some will tell you that going from one beach to another for a few days is not very interesting… It’s because they haven’t gone along this amazing coastline. Embarking on such a journey is the promise of a well-planned and well-prepared itinerary traveling along various beaches every day, punctuated by frequent excursions away from the coast and well-chosen stops. With the help of a guide, this trip which could have been a mere seaside walk turns into a discovery of the coast and the interior of typical Brazilian lands.
A good week of your time is necessary to fully appreciate it. We promise you will come back fascinated, captivated.
A Downwind route for kiteboarders with no equivalent
The state of Céara as a whole has become over the years one of the best regions for sailing sports. There are various ways to enjoy these beaches, which are subject to strong winds for much of the year. One of them is to kiteboard up the “Rota das Falesias” from Natal to Canoa Quebrada, using the downwind.
Imagine the delight of discovering exotic beaches and landscapes from the ocean, carried by the winds… All you need is adequate logistics on land. We take care of that part !
If you are not into downwind, you can extend some parts of your trip while kiteboarding on the spots of your choice. We will then indicate the best options for you based on the time of year.
Why you need to travel the Rota Das Falésias
- A landscape like a movie setting: extraordinary beaches typically in the north-east, pink dunes, reddish and white cliffs with up to 12 different colors.
- A succession of fishing villages, the charm and authenticity of this region.
- A coastline ideal for kiteboarding journeys, using the downwind for example.
- Experience the Brazilian-style adventure in a buggy or 4×4.
- Its cuisine and more particularly its famous lobsters which the region is reputed for. They can be served on tiles – just like the natives who used to cook fish and seafood this way.
- Salt marshlands.
Slideshow
Information and anecdotes
Natal, Kourou’s partner in French Guiana
During the launch of the Ariane rocket, Natal often takes over from Kourou. The Natal telemetry station located in the far east of Brazil, under the equator, is the second telemetry station on the trajectory of the European rocket.
