Fortaleza Travelers Recommend

Rio’s Copacabana and the nearby Green Coast (Costa Verde) might take the prize for Brazil’s most famous beaches, but ask a local where to find the best sands and they’ll point north. Fortaleza, perched on Brazil’s sun-soaked northeastern coast, makes an ideal base for exploring the beaches of North Brazil. Here are our top picks.

Iracema Beach

One of Fortaleza’s four urban beaches, Iracema (Praia de Iracema) is the closest one to downtown. It’s not the best spot for swimming, but the sandy shores are ideal for sunbathing, jogging, and beach games. Iracema is also the center of Fortaleza’s nightlife scene, and the beachside bars and nightclubs spring into action after sunset. 

Meireles

Next door to Iracema, the family-friendly Meireles Beach (Praia do Meireles) is known for its lively seafront promenade lined with restaurants, bars, and cafés. For a scenic walk, follow the promenade all the way to Mucuripe Beach (Praia do Mucuripe) to watch the fishing boats and sample fresh-from-the-boat seafood.

Praia do Futuro

Praia do Futuro is Fortaleza’s best swimming beach and a hotspot for surfers, with some sizeable waves. Alternatively, just to the south, in Porto das Dunas, is the gigantic Beach Park—the largest water park in Latin America.

Cumbuco Beach

A short detour north of the city, the secluded sands of Cumbuco Beach (Praia de Cumbuco) are a great choice for outdoor activities. Dive in to swim in the Parnamirim pond, try water sports like jet-skiing and kitesurfing, enjoy horseback riding along the beach, or get your adrenaline pumping on a beach buggy or ski-bunda (sand surf down a dune into the water) ride. 

Lagoinha Beach

A little farther up the coast, Lagoinha Beach (Praia da Lagoinha) is one of the most popular beaches in Paraipaba. Flanked by towering red dunes and coconut palms, the tranquil waters are perfect for sailing on a traditional Jangada, while horseback rides and dune buggy tours are also available.

Canoa Quebrada

On the east coast of Ceará, about a 2.5-hour drive from Fortaleza, Canoa Quebrada is one of the region’s most idyllic beach getaways. An expanse of golden sands fronts the traditional fishing village, but the biggest draw are the pristine dunes that tower over the beach and offer a spectacular backdrop for a dune buggy tour.  

Perched on the northeastern coast of Brazil, Fortaleza is the gateway to some of the country’s most magnificent beaches and coastal scenery. With three days, you’ll have time to visit the cultural sites, sample regional cuisine, and party at the city’s legendary forró clubs, as well as enjoying a day trip to the surrounding beaches. Here’s how.

Day 1: City Sightseeing and Cocktails

Get your bearings in Fortaleza by joining a city tour—as one of Brazil’s largest cities, having transport will save a lot of time. Admire landmarks such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Iracema Statue, and the President Castelo Branco Mausoleum; visit the Museum of Ceara to learn about the region’s indigenous heritage; then browse the stalls at the Central Market or shop for traditional handicrafts at the Center of Tourism.

Drive along the seafront Avenida Beira Mar, with views over Iracema and Meireles beaches, and time your arrival at the Fish Market for lunch—Fortaleza is renowned for its fresh-from-the-ocean seafood. In the afternoon, pay a visit to the Cachaça Museum, where you can sample Brazil’s national cocktail, the caipirinha. Save time by prebooking your tickets with transfers from Fortaleza and combine it with a visit to the iPark Tourist Complex, where activities include horseback riding, ziplining, and water sports. Back in the city, make your way to the Ponte de Ingleses to watch the sun go down.

Day 2: Sun, Sea, and Waterslides

Just north of Fortaleza, the fishing village of Cumbuco is renowned for its white-sand beaches and stunning coastal scenery, and it’s close enough to explore on a half-day tour. In the afternoon, Fortaleza’s four urban beaches—Mucuripe, Meireles, Iracema, and Futuro—are all worth a visit, but Futuro is the best for swimming and just east of downtown. A fun alternative for families is the Beach Park, the largest water park in Latin America. It’s about a 45-minute drive from the center, so consider booking your tickets and transfers in advance.

Save some energy for the evening hours; Fortaleza is renowned for its forró (traditional Brazilian music and dance) clubs. The Dragão do Mar cultural center has numerous options for bars, restaurants, and live music venues, while joining a barhopping tour means you’ll benefit from local recommendations and hotel transfers.

Day 3: Take a Day Trip

For your final day in Fortaleza, choose among different options for day trips. A couple of hours’ drive from the city is Lagoinha Beach, formerly a hideout for French pirates and now an idyllic fishing colony surrounded by towering red sand dunes. Alternatively, the coastal town of Morro Branco is known for its wind-sculpted red cliffs, multicolored sand dunes, and natural caves. To make the most of your time, combine a visit with stops at the beach towns of Praia das Fontes and Canoa Quebrada along the way. You could even head north to Jericoacoara Beach on a long day tour from Fortaleza. With its powder-white sands and year-round sunshine, it’s renowned as one of the most beautiful beaches in northern Brazil.

With just one day in Fortaleza, you’d be forgiven for spending the entire time on the beach, but the city offers plenty to tempt you inland. Plan ahead to make the most of your time in this sprawling and packed city, and stay up late to sample the buzzing nightlife. Here’s how to spend one day in Fortaleza.

Morning: Seaside Sightseeing

A city tour offers the ideal introduction, ensuring that you cover all the highlights and don’t waste time in transit—Fortaleza is one of Brazil’s largest cities, so private transportation is essential if you want to see it all. Visit landmarks such as the Metropolitan Cathedral and the President Castelo Branco Mausoleum, learn about Fortaleza’s history and rich cultural heritage at the Museum of Ceara, and make a photo stop at the Statue of Iracema.

After a scenic drive along the palm-lined Avenida Beira Mar, looking out over Iracema and Meireles beaches, spend the rest of the morning browsing the stalls at the Central Market or shopping for traditional handicrafts at the Center of Tourism.

Afternoon: Relax at the Beach

A variety of beachside bars and restaurants offer a myriad of options for lunch. Fortaleza is particularly renowned for its excellent seafood; to sample the catch of the day, head to the Fish Market at the end of Avenida Beira Mar. Afterward, head to one of Fortaleza’s four urban beaches. Mucuripe, Meireles, and Iracema are the closest to downtown, but it’s worth hopping in a taxi to Futuro Beach, just east of the center. This is a popular spot for surfers, so stick to the lifeguard-patrolled areas if you want to swim, or just grab a sunbed at one of the beach bars and order yourself a caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail.

A fun alternative for families is Beach Park, the largest water park in Latin America, just south of Futuro Beach—book your tickets in advance to avoid the queues and enjoy round-trip transfers.

Night: Sunsets and Sundowners

If you’re in town on a Thursday night, stay at Futuro Beach for a crab dinner. Thursdays mark the start of the weekend and are renowned as “crab night” throughout the city; locals arrive in droves to tuck into a local preparation called caranguejada.

Alternatively, head to the Ponte dos Ingleses at Iracema Beach in time for sunset—the historic pier is one of the most popular spots in town to watch the sun go down. The nearby Dragão do Mar cultural center is a great place to enjoy Fortaleza’s nightlife; it offers a wide range of bars, restaurants, and live music venues where you can experience traditional Brazilian forró music and dance.

With two days in Fortaleza, there’s time to explore the region’s famous beaches, venture inland to see the city sights, feast on delicious Brazilian cuisine, and party at the legendary forro clubs. Here’s how to spend two days in Fortaleza.

Day 1: City Sights & Caipirinha Cocktails

Morning: Fortaleza is a large city, so it’s worth hiring a guide to take in the sights or booking a city tour that will introduce you to all the highlights. Admire the views along the palm-lined Avenida Beira Mar promenade, discover the region’s diverse cultural heritage at the Museum of Ceara, and take in landmarks such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Statue of Iracema, and the President Castelo Branco Mausoleum.

Afternoon: A visit to the Cachaça Museum lets you learn about the history of Brazil’s national drink and gives you a chance to sample a perfect caipirinha. The museum is part of the iPark Tourist Complex, so leave time to explore—a photo by the world’s largest wooden barrel is a must, and there are a range of activities, from zip lining through the forest to wakeboarding on the lake.

Night: Back in Fortaleza, visit the restaurants along the seafront at Futuro Beach, which offer plenty of options for a seafood dinner. The best time to visit is on a Thursday, when locals gather for a crab feast known as caranguejada. Stick around afterwards and dance into the early hours at popular beach clubs like Crocobeach.

Day 2: Beach-hopping to Bar-hopping

Morning: The fishing village of Cumbuco is a popular choice for a half-day tour, and it’s full of photo-worthy views; think palm-fringed white sands, azure lagoons, and towering golden sand dunes. While you’re there, pick up an acai bowl (an acai berry smoothie topped with fruit and muesli), enjoy a swim in the lakes, or take part in water sports like Jet Skiing or kitesurfing.

Afternoon: Fortaleza’s four city beaches—Mucuripe, Meireles, Iracema, and Futuro—are all great choices for a lazy afternoon by the sea. Another fun option is Beach Park, Latin America’s largest water park, which lies just outside the city and offers extreme slides, wave pools, swimming pools, and activities for all ages. Book your tickets in advance to avoid the queues and enjoy round-trip transfers.

Night: First, watch the sunset at Ponte dos Ingleses pier at Iracema Beach, then make your way to the nearby Dragão do Mar cultural center, where you can experience traditional Brazilian forró music and dancing at a variety of bars, restaurants, and live music venues. Book a bar-hopping tour with a guide who will help you navigate the city at night and recommend the best (and safest) spots.