Valentin's Kitesurf Trip to Brazil

Kitesurfing in Brazil: Choosing Your Destination and First Impressions

Hey everyone, I'm excited to share my kitesurf trip to Brazil with you. After wrapping up my season as a kitesurf and wingfoil instructor at Kite-évolution, the cold weather started to creep in. I wanted to escape to somewhere warm, but finding a destination for just 10 days where I could ride every day was a challenge. After some research, Brazil emerged as the top choice for that time of year. It took a bit of effort to find affordable accommodation and flights for such a short trip.

Ultimately, I found an all-inclusive package on Lastminute: flight and accommodation in Cumbuco for €1330, with breakfast included, departing from Nantes. I booked it without hesitation. It was perfect timing, as I'd dreamed of riding there since I started kitesurfing.

Kitesurfing in Cumbuco: Exploring the Tabuba and Cauipe Lagoons

When I arrived, I was a bit concerned about my week. I wanted to avoid renting a buggy or car to save money, and I was traveling solo. Luckily, my accommodation was near the Tabuba lagoon, just a 5-minute bus ride away on the free Line 01. This bus runs every 20 minutes. It makes it easy to get between Cumbuco and Cauipe.

I spent the first two days riding in Tabuba. It's less crowded than Cauipe and a bit less natural, but still incredible. Think palm trees, flat water, warm weather, and perfect wind at 20 to 25 knots until 3 PM, then dropping to 15 knots in the late afternoon.

Kitesurfing Experiences and Tips in Cumbuco

Chatting with other riders, I discovered you can do a downwind run from Cumbuco to the Cauipe lagoon. I decided to give it a try on my third day.

I found a safe launch spot in front of my hotel and set off on the downwind to Cumbuco. The scenery changed to open beach and ocean, with waves breaking. It was a good 45-minute ride, and the pure joy of moving from one point to another with your kite and board, soaking in the surroundings, was amazing. Arriving at Cauipe, the view was simply magnificent. This lagoon is much prettier than Tabuba, very natural, much larger, and has fresh water at an incredible level that makes you want to go all out. Just be aware that it gets very crowded.

After my day there, I headed back to Cumbuco by buggy with a group of riders. It's an experience you have to try, especially with the magnificent sunset on the way back. Locals also offer the return trip for 50 reals.

My fourth day started, and my body was feeling it. Four to five hours of riding daily really works the muscles. So, I decided to take it a bit easier.

I started with some wave riding on the ocean side in front of my hotel, then did a short downwind. Not all the way to Cauipe lagoon this time, but to Cumbuco in front of the main square. I treated myself to a break at a hotel restaurant. The vibe was fantastic, with great music and a superb view, and the food was delicious and affordable. After my meal and a beer, I got back in the water to finish the day.

I have to admit, the ocean outside the lagoon can be a bit of a minefield, but if you're not too particular, it's still awesome, especially for the waves.

I'll be spending the rest of my week between these spots, having an absolute blast. Windguru is showing green and yellow until the end of my trip, so I'm stoked!

Conclusion: A Kitesurfer's Paradise

Cumbuco is a kitesurfing paradise, offering daily wind and a variety of spots perfect for freeride and freestyle. You can also enjoy wave riding here. It's a must-visit destination for any kitesurfing enthusiast.

If this destination calls to you, go for it without hesitation. For riding, everything is possible: freeride and freestyle, with wave riding available, and wind from morning to night, every day.

If possible, travel in a group. Brazilians are incredibly welcoming, but they don't speak much English.

Here's a bonus tip: if your reservation doesn't include a taxi, Ubers are available, just like at home, and they're much cheaper than airport taxis. Fortaleza is a 30-minute drive from Cumbuco, and there's also a paid bus line, but it's tricky to know where to get off if you're unfamiliar with Cumbuco.

Looking for another lagoon spot? Taiba is just a 1.5-hour drive from Fortaleza. I haven't done it myself, but for the truly adventurous, you can even do a downwind run from Cumbuco to Taiba, which takes about 2.5 hours.

If you're flying with Air France, there's no extra baggage fee for your board bag, as long as it doesn't exceed the 23 kg weight limit.

Avoid exchanging money at the airport; the exchange rate isn't good. Instead, exchange with Junio at the Sunshine Hotel in Cumbuco's main square, or at SuperCumbuco.

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