Fortaleza is the capital of Ceará, a state located in northeastern Brazil. With over 30 km of beaches, the city offers a wide variety of leisure options, such as museums, theaters, crafts, gastronomy, as well as an intense nightlife.
Fortaleza: cultural roots of the northeast
Fortaleza is a UNESCO Creative City of Design and design is present in its urban planning, with the city’s bike paths that have become a trademark in recent years, and in the creative production of local artists, influenced by the strong tradition of indigenous, African, caboclo and sertanejo culture, that is, northeastern!
If you’re looking for excitement and contagious culture, Iracema Beach, with its breakwaters with stunning views, is the place to go. At Dragão do Mar – Centro de Arte e Cultura, one of the most important in the state, there are movie theaters, a planetarium and the city’s Museum of Contemporary Art. At night, the place is very lively, with bars, nightclubs and live music.
Praia do Futuro is one of the most popular beaches, and you can find several musical attractions, peculiar decorations and typical foods. It is most popular during the day, but on Thursday nights, Quinta do Caranguejo takes place, when several stalls open their doors offering music, cold drinks and lots of crab.
At Porto das Dunas beach, in Aquiraz, you have the opportunity to enjoy stunning landscapes, with white sand and imposing dunes, as well as having fun at the famous Beach Park – a water park that also has three resorts and a hotel on its premises. At the other end is Caucaia, the route to the beaches of Icaraí and Cumbuco.
Following the tradition of the Northeast’s top destinations, Fortaleza stands out for an impressive and comprehensive network of resorts. For travelers seeking maximum comfort and fun, the city offers options with full infrastructure. Many provide all inclusive packages, expansive pool complexes, spas, children’s programming, and direct beach access, all designed so your only task is to relax and enjoy.
And to take home a souvenir of the city, visit the Mercado Central, which has numerous shops selling regional handicrafts.
Fun facts
Fortaleza, the capital of Ceará, is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the Design category, due to the important role that the creative economy plays in the city's social scene.
Fortaleza has one of the largest and most visited water parks in Latin America. It is the Beach Park, which is located in Aquiraz, in the metropolitan region of the capital of Ceará.
Flavors of the Northeast by the Sea
Fortaleza’s cuisine, characterized by its seafood, has a Brazilian flavor and family tradition. Dishes such as moqueca, typical of the region, are an invitation to immerse yourself in the customs and culture of Ceará.
The Beira-Mar Avenue waterfront has numerous restaurants serving typical food, with seafood dishes standing out, as well as a very varied craft fair, where you can find leather goods, jewelry, clothing, apparel, food and the renowned warmth of the people of Ceará.
In the capital of Ceará, the cuisine is based on local agricultural activities and, as it is a coastal city, fish and seafood can be found in many of the region’s typical dishes. Lobster, shrimp and crab, prepared in a variety of ways, are among the options.
Dishes such as fish stew, shrimp stewed in garlic and oil, boiled crab, breaded legs and crab shells usually win the hearts of visitors. And the best part: many of the ingredients come from local fishing, which means they arrive at the table very fresh.
Manioc, cassava… In Fortaleza, the root is called macaxeira and is a symbol of local cuisine, in addition to being an important part of the region’s agricultural production. Cassava is the perfect accompaniment to many dishes from Ceará, as are sweet potatoes and coconut, which are also found in abundance in the state. Rice and beans are used to make baião-de-dois, a dish that is usually served with butter, coalho cheese and dried meat paçoca, giving the local cuisine a Brazilian touch.
The delicious flavors of Ceará don’t stop there. Corn adds versatility to local dishes and is transformed into delicious cakes, couscous, mungunzá, canjica, pamonha and pé-de-moleque. Sugar cane also offers a variety of dishes, such as the enchanting rapadura, the popular cachaça or the simple (but delicious) sugar cane juice. And if you are passing through Fortaleza, you cannot miss out on trying dishes such as panelada, buchada and sarapatel, all prepared with parts of the beef.
If you are looking for a destination full of adventure, nature and incredible beaches, Fortaleza should definitely be on your travel itinerary!
Fortaleza, the Costa do Sol
With a lush coastline, Fortaleza has beaches with very different characteristics from one another. Some are located in busy neighborhoods, with bars and beach clubs by the sea. Others, almost deserted, are accessible only by trails in the middle of the backlands or by boat. There are options for those who practice water sports, such as windsurfing, surfing, kitesurfing, diving, among others.
Praia de Iracema
Iracema Beach has an incredible view for those who want to go for a stroll on a sunny day. A good option is to walk along the seafront to Ponte dos Ingleses, where you will be surprised by a beautiful and unforgettable sunset. If you are lucky, you will be able to see some dolphins on the horizon, a spectacle in itself! There is no shortage of attractions, such as the Dragão do Mar Cultural Center, which enchants everyone with the beauty and grandeur of its building.
Praia do Futuro
One of the busiest beaches in the capital of Ceará, it has clean waters, soft sand and lots of entertainment. The local infrastructure has several stalls and tables that offer several options for you to try the local cuisine. The beach is also great for surfing.
Praia de Meireles
The Meireles Beach boardwalk is something that draws visitors’ attention. But the breeze from the coconut trees and the view of the greenish waters of the sea are what enchant those who pass by there. At night, you can also enjoy the place, as it hosts the Feirinha Beira Mar, which has a wide variety of products, with local crafts, typical foods and much more.
Praia de Mucuripe
Known for its rafts, fishermen, boats and the Mercado dos Peixes, which offers fresh produce and a wide variety of products, the beach offers a charming late afternoon. You can take the opportunity to sit at the tables there, enjoy some good live music and also enjoy the beautiful view that the region offers. There are several bars, restaurants and entertainment for all tastes.
Praia de Sabiaguaba
Located in the Sabiaguaba Dunes Municipal Natural Park, in an environmental conservation area, where the Cocó River and the Sea meet, this beach is rarely visited. The region is the only one with a dune field, where it is possible to walk through them and, at the end of the tour, cool off in the fresh waters of the Cocó River.
Praia de Cumbuco
About 35 km from Fortaleza, Cumbuco Beach is located in a quiet village. With many luxury resorts and a complete leisure infrastructure, the place is known for its famous buggy rides, which can be with or without excitement. After the tour, tourists can enjoy the incredible freshwater pools, such as Lagoa do Parnamirim.
Canoa Quebrada
One of the most popular beaches in Ceará, Canoa Quebrada beach is located about 160km from Fortaleza. The place, which was initially a hippie village, has become a major tourist center. The beach has crystal clear waters and is pleasant all year round. In addition to enjoying the beach, you can spend the day at one of the local huts and admire the wall of multicolored cliffs, Canoa’s trademark.
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