Aratuba lies within the Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) da Serra de Baturité. At the same time, the Indigenous heritage of the Kanindé people shapes the area: this culture is preserved in the district of Fernandes. Several distinct themes can help you plan your trip—the protected landscape and hikes at Pedra do Gavião, cultural heritage, a June harvest festival, and goods at local markets. Depending on whether you are most interested in nature, culture, or regional products, you can tailor your stay accordingly.

Landscape and hikes

Aratuba’s location within the APA da Serra de Baturité provides a distinctive geographical setting. Pedra do Gavião, in the Aldeia Indígena Fernandes of the Kanindé people of Aratuba, is a specific hiking destination; hikes take place there. These are two distinct aspects: the protected-area location situates Aratuba, while the hikes take place at Pedra do Gavião. If you would like to include hiking in your travel plans, Pedra do Gavião is the specific place to visit.

Kanindé culture in Fernandes

In the district of Fernandes, the Kanindé community preserves Aratuba’s Indigenous culture. The Museu Indígena Kanindé is a place of remembrance that represents the ancestral cosmologies of the Kanindé people. The community preserves its culture; the Museu Indígena Kanindé represents the ancestral cosmologies of the Kanindé people. Cultural memory and the artisanal and culinary offerings at the market thus provide two distinct ways to experience Aratuba.

Festa do Muncunzá: June harvest festival

The Festa do Muncunzá do povo Kanindé is associated with the Aldeia Fernandes of the Kanindé people. The harvest festival features music, dances, stories, and food. It has been held in June since 2012. These different elements link the harvest context with several forms of cultural expression. If you would like to plan your trip around the Festa, check the dates for your chosen year in advance. The museum is a place of remembrance; the Festa is the harvest festival held in June since 2012.

Arts and crafts and food at the markets

Aratuba’s local markets sell handicrafts made from clay, straw, and wood. The offerings also include serrana cachaça, fruit and vegetables, and sweets. If you are interested in crafts, you can focus on the different materials; if you are interested in food, drinks and food take center stage. The markets offer a different experience from the harvest festival: they are about regional goods, while the festival is a celebration with music, dances, stories, and food. If visiting a market is important to your trip, check the market days in advance.

Discover more destinations: Aracati, Redenção, Ibicuitinga, Boa Viagem, São Gonçalo Do Amarante, Morada Nova, Jijoca De Jericoacoara, Crato

For the overview of the wider region: Ceará.