BRAZIL FACTS
Getting there – Best way is to let Sportif or Oceansource sort it all out for you, but if you like to do it your own way, then TAP Air Portugal run regular flights from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh to Fortaleza via Lisbon. You’re looking at a total of eight hours flying time (two to Lisbon and six to Fortaleza), so allow a whole day for travelling. Transfer is either by air-conditioned bus or 4×4, and takes between 3 to 4 hours or so, depending on whether you’re heading for Icaraizinho or Jeri first and the F1 aspirations of your driver
Currency – At the time of writing a pound buys you around 3.3 Brazilian Reals. Easiest way to get them is via an ATM or bureau de change in Fortaleza. Be aware that there’s no ATM in Icaraizinho, and the nearest one to Jericoacoara is 23km away in Jijoca. A pick-up there and back shouldn’t cost a lot but it takes half a day out of your valuable holiday time. In Jeri some restaurants and shops now accept credit cards. (Progress, eh?)
Weather – Equatorial. Only the days of the month change. Air temperature is 28-35 C, water temperature is 27 C year round. Leave that festering wetsuit at home…
Language – Portuguese
Time – Slow, and three hours behind GMT
