CE · Brazil
Heritage of Viçosa do Ceará, the Ubajara cave and the waters of the Bica do Ipu among the mountain routes.
In the photo: Bica do Ipu on the slopes of the Serra da Ibiapaba.
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
The Serra da Ibiapaba brings together nine municipalities between the plateau and its slopes. Viçosa do Ceará preserves a historic center and the Igreja do Céu complex; Ubajara has a national park with a cave, trails and a cable car. In Ipu, the Bica shapes the landscape at the foot of the range. Tianguá is served by accesses via BR-222 and CE-187, while Ibiapina, São Benedito and Guaraciaba do Norte show the urban and agricultural life of the plateau. The Carnaubal and Croatá branches extend the route to other stretches of the region. Visits to the park require choosing an activity and booking according to local rules; the cultural stages and transfers between municipalities help spread the trip across more than one base.
This destination brings together 9 cities: Viçosa do Ceará, Tianguá, Ubajara, Ibiapina, São Benedito, Guaraciaba do Norte, Ipu, Carnaubal, Croatá.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Mapa: @svg-maps/brazil, CC BY 4.0
BR-222 reaches the Tianguá sector. CE-187 links the range's axis between Viçosa do Ceará, Ubajara and the municipalities to the south. Carnaubal is accessed via CE-427; Croatá connects to the Guaraciaba do Norte sector via CE-327. Decide on your base and the local access points for excursions before arranging transport.
Viçosa do Ceará preserves a registered historic ensemble, with churches and large houses linked to the formation of the mountain town. On Morro do Céu, the Igreja do Céu is part of the municipality's tourist and craft hub. The town is the northern stop on the CE-187 axis of the Rota Mirantes da Ibiapaba.
Tianguá brings together the Catedral de Sant'Ana and the junction between the BR-222 and the CE-187, one of the road entrances to the Ibiapaba. The mountain range and its forested areas are part of the landscape around the town. On the route, the city connects the Viçosa stage to the continuation toward Ubajara.
Ubajara gives its name to the national park that protects caves, forests and slopes of the Ibiapaba. The Gruta de Ubajara is visited with a guide, and the cable car is part of the authorized access-and-return routes. The park headquarters are reached via the CE-187 axis; the park has its own entrance, which must be planned separately.
Ibiapina has a parish church whose origins date back to the 19th century and a territory drained by the Jaburu, Pejuaba and Pituba rivers. Between Ubajara and São Benedito, its town seat is part of the CE-187 axis. The stop adds the mountain town's urban life to the route, without confusing local visits with the attractions of the neighboring park.
São Benedito brings together the Santuário de Fátima da Serra Grande and an economy known for producing roses and ornamental plants. Religious visits have their own organization, while visiting a production area depends on authorization from the person in charge. From the CE-187, the city also connects a branch toward Carnaubal.
Guaraciaba do Norte was once called Campo Grande and Inhussu before taking its current name. Vegetable farming, including tomatoes and cabbage, is part of the municipality's economy. The town seat lies along the CE-187 axis, with a turnoff via the CE-327 to Croatá and continuation to Ipu.
Ipu lies at the foot of the Ibiapaba, close to the slopes and springs protected by the APA da Bica do Ipu. The Bica is a landmark of the local landscape, and the railway heritage is part of the town's urban history. The route from Guaraciaba along the CE-187 links the plateau to the southernmost stretch of the main axis.
Carnaubal got its name from the carnauba groves that stood in the Várzea area, near the settlement's initial core. The municipality was formed from São Benedito, from which it separated in 1957. On the route, it lies on a spur west of the Guaraciaba axis, accessed by CE-427 and by local roads.
Croatá became a municipality in 1988, formed from the districts of Croatá and Barra do Sotero, which were separated from Guaraciaba do Norte. Its location south of the plateau extends the reach of the Rota Mirantes da Ibiapaba beyond the main axis. The visit comes in as a spur via the CE-327, with a return to the Guaraciaba connection.
The local experience
Waterfall of the Ipuçaba stream on the slopes of the Serra da Ibiapaba, in Ipu. The rocky escarpment and surrounding vegetation make up the landscape of a protected area.
Rows of historic houses and public spaces of a registered urban ensemble in the Serra da Ibiapaba. The walk lets you observe Viçosa do Ceará's historical development and the relationship between facades, temples and squares.
Discover Centro Histórico de Viçosa do Ceará
Cave, forest-covered slopes and trails make up the visit to the park in Ubajara. The cable car is part of specific modalities, with booking and a guide according to the activity.
Discover Parque Nacional de Ubajara
The Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Vitórias is located on an elevation in Viçosa do Ceará. The temple, the image of Christ and the viewing area form their own tourist hub.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
From January to May it usually rains more, especially in March and April. From July to December, rainfall tends to decrease. Check the forecast and visibility for viewpoints and trails; the volume of the Bica varies with the rains. July usually sees holiday traffic. Park activities require confirming the type and booking.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Allow five to seven days to spread visits to Viçosa's heritage, Ubajara park and the Bica do Ipu. The Carnaubal and Croatá branches add their own travel time; a shorter trip may choose only one sector of the Serra.
Viçosa do Ceará places you close to the old houses and the Igreja do Céu. Ubajara suits those who plan to spend time on park activities. Tianguá lies at the junction of the road accesses. To visit Ipu and the southern branches, compare the outbound and return routes before committing to a single base.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
One base can serve the nearby sector, but journeys to Ipu, Carnaubal and Croatá increase travel time for returns. Plan your stay according to the activities chosen.
Check the visit options, the use of the cable car, the walking involved and the required booking. Choose the activity according to participants' mobility and interests.
The waterfall depends on rainfall in the range. Check current conditions of the visit and the access routes with those in charge before setting out.
A car or hired transport makes it easier to connect between municipalities and the access points for excursions. Check separately the local transport options to the park and viewpoints.
Brazilian routes
Nine municipalities of the Ceará highlands linked by the CE-187 axis and its branches, between the heritage of Viçosa, Ubajara National Park, the religious tourism of São Benedito and the landscape of the Bica do Ipu.
