Access:

The nearest international airport is in Fortaleza, 230 kilometres from Moitas. To get to Moitas, you can rent a car, hire a taxi, or take a bus. If you rent a car, you will need to be aware of the tides, as access is via the water-hardened beach. Villa Namoa is accesible by vehicle from mid to low tide. From mid to high tide, parking is available at the plaza. From there it is a short 650 metre walk to Villa Namoa. Tide tables, Wind & Wave Information can be found at Wind Guru .Click here to view the information http://bit.ly/10qVPCk

Amenities:

The house is equipped for light cooking with a half-sized fridge, two burner propane stove, dishes and utensils. Our drinking water is from an underground well, and is so pure that the villagers come down to bottle it. However, it does have some light sediment, so we suggest you use the traditional clay filter supplied. Bottled mineral water is also available at the local store.

The nearest general store is within easy walking distance. Pizza and simple Brazilian meals are available in the village, and arrangements can be made for delivery. More sophisticated dining is available in the village of  Icaraizinho, 6 km to the east.

We use passive solar to heat water for bathing. The warmest showers can be had late afternoon to early evening. At other times, expect the water to be ambient temperature. During your stay, our caretaker will come by on a regular basis to pump water up to the storage tanks. Please help us to keep the septic system working by flushing only single ply toilet paper.

Activities/Attractions

Kitesurfing and windsurfing: There is a nearby estuary that provides flat water, or you can kite directly from the beach in front of the house. Trade winds blow strong and steady (side onshore) from July/August to the end of November.

Snorkelling: Explore the reefs at low tide and swim with numerous species of tropical fish.

Stand Up Paddle: At low tide, you will have flat water in the areas protected by the reef. At high tide, you will find beach breaking waves. There is a nearby river to explore.

Nightlife: Stargazing! Icaraizinho, the neighboring village, generally shuts down by 11 p.m. unless there is a dance going on.

National Parks:  Villa Namoa is within 250 km of three national parks

1. Jericoacoara - a unique coastal resort village within a national park.  You will find nightlife here.

2. Ubajara, which is inland in the mountains. Temperatures average 5 degrees cooler here.

3. Sete Cidades, named for the unique rock formations that look like cities.

For those willing to go further afield, Lençois Maranhenses in Maranhão is well worth a visit.

Weather:

Air Temperature:  28 C (82 F) in the day and  24 C (75 F) at night, year round

Sea Temperature: warm to  really warm, depending on the tides

Wind: Year round trade winds keep bugs away. Mosquitos appear only a few days of the year in the rainiest months.

Seasons:

1. Dry season (sunshine 99% guaranteed, rain would be a miracle) from mid-July till mid-December

2. Rainy season (so named because there’s a hope it will rain at some point during the day) is mid-March to mid-June. April and May are the rainiest months. Even in these months, it’s unusual to have more than a day or two of solid rain. Rain is generally sporadic, and the temperatures remain warm.

Security:

Moitas is a peaceful village, and assaults on tourists are virtually unheard of. However, it’s not advisable to leave valuables unattended on the beach or unlocked in the house. For your peace of mind, we provide safe storage above and beyond the locks on doors and windows. Please bring a  combination padlock if you would like additional security for your sporting equipment and other valuables.

Animal life:

Small lizards are common visitors. These local residents eat most insects, but leave a minor inconvenience behind as evidence of their pest control prowess. A morning sweeping remedies the situation. You may also see hawks hunting for lizards. Please keep the gates closed at all times to keep out passing cattle and donkeys.