Search
Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Canada
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican RepublicTurkey
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
PE · Brazil
Capital of Pernambuco’s Agreste, home to the Caruaru Fair, the pottery of Alto do Moura and one of the most sought-after São João festivals in the Northeast.
In the photo: View of Caruaru from Monte Bom Jesus.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Caruaru is in Pernambuco’s Agreste, about 135 km from Recife via the BR-232. It is the main city of the region between the coast and the Sertão, and presents itself as the Capital of Forró.
The Caruaru Fair, immortalized in a song by Luiz Gonzaga, is one of the largest open-air markets in Brazil and was registered by Iphan as the country’s intangible cultural heritage. You can buy everything there: food, leather, ceramics, clothing, tools and handicrafts.
In Alto do Moura, a few kilometers from the city center, live the heirs of Mestre Vitalino, the potter who turned clay into figurines that portray the people of the Northeast. The neighborhood gathers dozens of workshops and the Casa-Museu Mestre Vitalino.
In June the whole city turns to the São João de Caruaru, with forró in several venues, quadrilha dances and corn-based foods. Outside that season, the visit is worth it for the fair, the crafts and Agreste cuisine.
This destination brings together 1 city: Caruaru.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Map: @svg-maps/brazil, CC BY 4.0
✈ Aeroporto Internacional do Recife/Guararapes (REC), in Recife · 135 km to Caruaru
By car or bus from Recife via the BR-232, in about two hours. The most used airport is Recife’s, about 135 km away. Caruaru’s bus station receives routes from Recife and other cities in the Northeast.
The local experience
One of the largest open-air markets in Brazil, located in Parque 18 de Maio in the city center, registered by Iphan as intangible cultural heritage. It brings together handicrafts, leather, ceramics, food, clothing and tools.
Caruaru’s potters’ neighborhood, where Mestre Vitalino lived, with dozens of figurative clay art workshops and the Casa-Museu Mestre Vitalino. During São João it hosts pé de serra forró during the day.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
June, for the São João, when the city is crowded. From September to February the weather is drier; from March to August there is more rain, and nights in June and July tend to be cool.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
A full day covers the fair and Alto do Moura as a day trip from Recife. For São João, two or three nights in town are ideal.
The city center leaves the fair and the Pátio de Eventos Luiz Gonzaga within walking distance. Neighborhoods near the BR-232 concentrate roadside hotels, convenient for those arriving by car. In June many visitors stay in Recife and go to Caruaru only on the busiest nights.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
By car or bus via the BR-232, in about two hours; it’s roughly 135 km.
One day for the fair and Alto do Moura. For São João, two or three nights.
June, for São João. Outside that period, any month works for the fair and crafts; from March to August there is more rain.
Not for the center and the fair. For Alto do Moura, a taxi, rideshare or car helps.
Yes. The trip takes about two hours, and one day is enough for the fair and Alto do Moura.
