The Brazilian Miami - Fortaleza
Fortaleza has 25 km (16 miles) of urban beaches, which is one of the reasons it is referred to as the Brazilian Miami. The beaches in Fortaleza are popular for kite and wind surfing - don't miss Praia do Futuro and Iracema. Fortaleza hosted 6 of the 2014 FIFA World Cup games and it is the capital of the state Ceará in Northeastern Brazil.
Fortaleza Album
Fortaleza has an average temperature of 24-31 C (75-87 F). The climate is known for being hot and windy with the most rainfall in April. The temperature stays the same all year round.
Beaches Surrounding Fortaleza
Praia de Futuro is a 5 mile strip of white sand beach 20 minutes southeast of the city of Fortaleza. This beach is famous for kite and wind surfing - when wind conditions are perfect, hundreds of kites are in the ocean. Futuro is home to many national beach tennis and volleyball competitions.
The water here is cleaner than the beaches in the city (Iracema, Beira Mar and Miereles). Mega-barracas (large beach bars) offer strong drinks and good food - you can find plenty of parties here on the weekend. Futuro beach is perfect for solo travelers, families, and anyone looking to have a fun beach day.
Pro Tips:
Arrive and leave by Uber - do not walk through the neighborhoods here at night.
Party Barracas - Guarderia Brasil fits 400 people - mostly Fortaleza's young and beautiful crowd listening to the DJ on Saturdays. Praia Brasil is a similar but a smaller venue.
Family Barracas - Crocobeach, Itapariká and Chico do Caranguejo have child-friendly activities, water slides, bathrooms and lockers, kiddie pools and live music.
Be careful with riptides - pay attention to lifeguards and watch the kids.
Pay attention to your belongings - do not bring valuables and never leave your things unattended.
All of the beaches below can be reached by renting a car or scheduling a tour with one of the many tour companies. Tour operators are located close to Av. Beira Mar in downtown Fortaleza. Unfortunately my camera broke so I do not have as many photos as usual.
Beach Park is 40 minutes south east of downtown Fortaleza. It is often voted the best water park in Brazil. Beach Park has a beach, aquatic park and a resort. They hold the record for second tallest water slide in the world at 135-feet tall. Many people come to Fortaleza to go to this water park.
Canoa Quebrada is 164 km south east of Fortaleza and it is becoming popular with Brazilian and international tourists. This is a fishing village surrounded by red cliffs. Guided buggies, ATV tours and horses are available. Tours to Canoa Quebrado also go to Morro Branco and Fontes Beach ($100-200 RS per person). Morro Branco is a red cliff area that feels like you are walking on Mars.
Cumbuco is 25 km north west of Fortaleza about 40 min by car or bus. There are sand dunes that create the perfect wind speed for advanced kite boarding. If you are looking to learn how to kite board then this is the place where you can find many kite clubs and barracas.
Pro Tip: If raveling on a budget take the bus to Cumbuco. The bus departs at 9+11 AM and returns at 4+6 PM and it costs $10-15 RS.
Lagoinha is 2 hours west of Fortaleza. This is a small fishing village that is known for the freshwater lagoons, cliffs and sand dunes. You can rent ATVs, swim in the warm ocean and horseback ride on the beach. Make sure to stop by the Mirante de Lagoinha for postcard views.
Tours leave Fortaleza at 8 AM and return around 5 PM for $100 RS per person.
Praia de Mundaú is 2 hours from the city of Fortaleza. This beach has beautiful sand dunes at the mouth of the river and crystal clear blue water. You can take the catamaran river tour or relax on the beach.
Day tours leave Fortaleza at 8 AM, they stay for 5 hours, and return around 6 PM for $100-200 RS per person.
Icaraí is 2 hours and 40 minutes west of the city of Fortaleza and it is the perfect spot for those looking for an unbelievable wind or kite surf experience. This is a secluded area that is difficult to get to where many pousadas and accommodations are focused on the wind and kite surfing crowd. For more information check out The Spot Beachfront Sports Pousada.
Downtown Fortaleza
Praia de Iracema is a neighborhood and beach with a beautiful pier that extends far out into the ocean. At 4 PM the food vendors come out and they stay late into the night while many people watch the sunset and walk the pier and boardwalk. You can find some of the most delicious and inexpensive food here. Agua de coco costs 2-3 RS, quentinhas cost $10-20 RS and skewers of meat, chicken or park cost $8 RS. They also sell corn, tapioca, popcorn, ice cream, açaí and other treats.
Pro Tip: avoid swimming here - the water is not so clean
Beira Mar Avenue is located in the upscale Meireles neighborhood. The beach is lined with gorgeous hotels and apartment buildings, restaurants and shops. The boardwalk is a busy and safe area where you can walk on the boardwalk with a caipirinha or coconut in hand. It starts to come alive at 4 PM and stays busy well into the night. Grab a seat at any of the barracas (beach vendors that sell drinks and food) and people watch. There is a craft stall section, Feira Beira Mar, where you can find clothes, souvenirs, bikinis, food products and other things. If you continue walking east you can find courts where people play foot volley, beach tennis and beach volleyball.
Pro Tips:
1. Avoid swimming here - the water is not so clean
2. There are plenty of dune buggy operators and tourist offices here
Fortaleza Central Market is a famous market for clothes, handmade products and food. There are six floors of shops with plenty to explore. If you walk close by to R. José Avelino you can find Galpão da Felicidade where the clothes, products and food are even less expensive. I highly recommend this place for good deals, but watch your purse.
Dragão do Mar is a cultural center consisting of old homes that were turned into restaurants and bars. Be careful here because the efforts to clean up the area have been reversed during COVID.
Check out my other posts for more destinations...
Natal
next post is JERICOACOARA out on 8/12/2021!
Where to stay
Iracema is a central, beach location. The best accommodations are within a 5 min walk to Iracema pier.
Meireles neighborhood's best accommodations are close to Beira Mar Avenue.
Beach Park is for those that want to spend time at the Aqua Park and the beach - great for families.
Secluded locations:
Icaraí - Pousada Aloha Villa Icaraizinho and Pousada Casa Îandé Ceará are romantic. The Spot Pousada is perfect for kite or wind surfing.
Lagoinha - Pousada Mar a Vista is nice.
Downtown Fortaleza has beautiful accommodations with reliable WiFi for video calls.
If you prefer the secluded beaches outside the city then WiFi is not promised.
I can help pick the right option, specific to your style.
I recommend 4 days to explore Fortaleza and the surrounding beaches. If you decide to stay in Icaraí, Praia do Mundaú, Lagoinha, or Cumbuco then I recommend 5 days.
Where to eat
The boardwalk in Iracema and Meireles! Quentinhas for $15 RS, skewers for $6 RS, agua de coco for $2 RS
Balcony Bistro - expensive but the food is very good and they use local ingredients
Marques Varjota - Portuguese food
La Bella Italia - Italian food
Moranga Bistro - French food
Forneria da Praia
Cantinho de Iracema - quentinhas!
Mercado dos Peixes - amazing spot! Enter the fish market and buy fish from the vendors (filet, whole fish, shrimp in shell, peeled shrimp, etc.). Next, take the fish to the chefs that are located on the back end of the market close to the water. The server will provide a menu that lists different ways for them to cook the fish. Choose your dish, order a beer and wait for your meal with a beautiful view!
Where to exercise
Parque Bisão - boardwalk gym that his minimal equipment. Many locals workout here around sunset and later - you can politely ask to borrow items. This gym is FREE!
Ideal Fitness Academy - old equipment but they have all of the essentials, $10 RS day pass
CROSSFit - many box locations throughout Fortaleza, prices vary
The House Gym - good gym with new equipment and class options, $15 RS per day
There are personal trainers who set up equipment on the beach for classes. Walk up and introduce yourself to join the class - small fee
How to get to Fortaleza
Car
Natal to Fortaleza - Rent a car and drive 7-8 hours
Jericoacoara to Fortaleza - Rent a 4WD car and drive 4-5 hours
Parnaíba to Fortaleza - Rent a 4WD car and drive 6 hours
Bus
Natal to Fortaleza - the journey is 8-9 hours and it costs $100-150 RS.
Parnaíba to Fortaleza - the journey takes 8-10 hours and it costs $80-150 RS depending on what time of day you choose.
Guanabara operates the buses from Natal and Parnaíba. There is the option to buy fully flat seats (leite cama) or semi recline seats (semi cama). If you prefer lay down seats I recommend buying at least 1 week in advance and these are slightly more expensive tickets.
Jericoacoara to Fortaleza - Take a 4WD to Jijoca for $40-50 RS. In Jijoca go to the Fretcar bus station and take the 8 hour bus to Fortaleza for $100 RS.
Air
Fly to Fortaleza International Airport - it is a very popular destination for all airlines in Brazil. Here you can find many 4WD drivers holding signs for Jericoacoara car share/car pool. This usually costs $150-200 RS depending how gringo you look.
Buggy or Jeep 4x4
This is an option not for the faint of heart. If you decide to choose this option you must have a group of people or you will bear the full cost on your own.
Fortaleza to Natal or Natal to Fortaleza - 750 km along the shore traveling for 3-5 days and passing 92 beaches along the way. This costs $2800-4000 RS for up to 3 passengers. Some packages include lodging, breakfast and driver. Contact me for help booking this trip.
Map of all places listed
Fortaleza Album
Drone shots by Jon Brierley
@jbfilminit
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