With 7,500km of coastline, a range of stunning beaches, flat water lagoons and inland lakes, Brazil is one of the world’s best windsurfing destinations. With everything you could want, from incredible winds to flat water, waves, and a host of off-the-water activities, it is no wonder that our clients return to this magical country time and time again. However planning a windsurfing adventure to incredibly diverse and eclectic Brazil can be a daunting experience, so here are some tips and tricks from our experts that you need to know when planning your windsurf holiday to Brazil.

Getting to Brazil

A variety of major airlines fly into the main airports of Aeroporto Galeão in Rio de Janeiro and Aeroporto Guarulhos in São Paulo and then there are regular connecting flights to other major cities throughout the country. Brazil also has quite an extensive bus network that will take you to cities large and small, while local taxis can be an expensive but quicker way of getting around. Be sure to speak with an expert who will advise you of the quickest and easiest way to get to your destination on your desired budget!

The nitty gritty of travelling in Brazil

Depending on what passport you carry, you may need a visa to visit Brazil. Citizens of the United Kingdom can visit Brazil without a visa and the tourist visas are valid for a maximum 90-day stay in Brazil. Please check the Brazil visa website for more information. Although still affordable, Brazil’s Real is South America’s strongest currency and while it is always a good idea to carry some cash, for shopping at markets and street vendors, most hotels and restaurants to accept credit cards. Visa is the most widely accepted card, followed by MasterCard.

It is also wise to visit a physician four to eight weeks before departure to ensure you have all the necessary vaccinations. Malaria is a concern in Brazil and you may need to take precautions when travelling to certain areas. Thankfully on 11 May 2017, the Brazilian Government declared the end of the state of emergency related to the Zika Virus.

Brazil’s official language is Portuguese and many locals do not speak much English at all. You can still get by with hand gestures, pointing and body language but it may be quite helpful to learn a few key phrases in Portuguese before you travel to make the journey a little bit smoother.

Dining in Brazil

Look forward to an amazingly eclectic selection of cuisine in Brazil. The food in Brazil is very diverse with the national dish being feijoada – a stew of pork and beans that is sold from street cafes to top class restaurants. You can also look forward to dishes such as Coxinha, a shredded chicken fried in batter, or Moqueca which is a saltwater fish stew with prawns, or even the simply divine Carne de Sol, which is beef meat served with smoked cheese, chorizo and yuca fries. The barbecue style Churrasco is also extremley popular, with meat served from steel spits on all-you-can-eat basis. What you can look forward to when dining in Brazil is great value for money, excellent service and a fun, vibrant atmosphere. 

© Gilrovina

Best windurf spots in Brazil

Thanks to the incredible reliable wind conditions that last for at least nine months of the year in Brazil, you can find some of the best windsurfing in the world! These are just a few of our favourite spots:

Gostoso

If you are looking for a true South American experience then look no further than Gostoso! The locals are friendly and charming and always happy to see windsurfers. There are conditions here to suit any level of windsurfer, from the shallow flat water to small fun waves. The best wind season for Gostoso is between September and March with 90% reliability and a wind speed of between 17 and 30 knots. Planet Windsurf work with two different windsurf locations, depending on your accommodation choice and windsurf level. When making your holiday booking to Gostoso we can advise you on the best location and windsurf centre for your requirements.

Jericoacoara

One of the more well-known spots in Brazil, thanks to its great wind conditions along with the very trendy beach resorts and nightlife in the area. The best wind is found between August and December and is without a doubt some of the most reliable in the world. So if you like strong wind this area is worth considering.  ‘The Point’ is the main windsurfing area, and the most popular and here glassy flat waters make it a freestylers heaven. A spot located further upwind from The Point is ideal for more advanced windsurfers. Due to the very strong wind and restricted windsurf zones, we suggest Jericoarcoara for intermediate to advanced sailors.

Icaraizinho

This is a very special part of Northern Brazil offering a tranquil and charming location with some amazing windsurfing conditions for all levels. The beach here is stunning and very wide and the centre has the prime position and offers a great range of the newest JP boards and Neil Pryde sails. The windsurfing here is simply amazing with flat water blasting and small waves all within easy reach. A windsurfing holiday to Icaraizinho is best done in combination with Gostoso or Jericoacoara. 

Contact us now for more information on your next extraordinary windsurf holiday to Brazil!