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Fortaleza, CE
Summary: Ceará has sunshine almost all year round, more than 500 km of coastline, and destinations for all tastes, from the urban beaches of Fortaleza to the dunes of Jericoacoara. In this guide you will find the main destinations, distances from the capital, the best time to go, ready-made itineraries, and tips for booking safely. If you live here, there are also ideas for day trips and weekend activities.
In this guide:
Ceará is one of the most sought-after destinations in the Northeast of Brazil, and it's no coincidence: it has beaches with warm water, constant winds, dunes, lagoons, colorful cliffs, a capital city with a vibrant cultural life, and cuisine that's worth the trip in itself. The hard part is choosing. This guide exists for that: to organize the options and help you plan the perfect trip, whether it's your first time in the state or the next weekend getaway for someone who already lives here.
The capital city is the gateway for almost all trips and deserves at least two days. Praia de Iracema and the Ponte dos Ingleses (English Bridge) are classic sunset spots. Avenida Beira-Mar, in Meireles, features a boardwalk, hotels, and a craft market. Praia do Futuro concentrates the large beach bars, and the Mercado Central (Central Market) is the place to buy lace, cashew nuts, cachaça (Brazilian rum), and souvenirs. For culture, the Dragão do Mar Center for Art and Culture houses museums, a cinema, and shows. Fortaleza is also a good base for day trips along the coast.
See also all the beaches of Fortaleza, from east to west.
Adjacent to Fortaleza, in the Porto das Dunasregion, lies Beach Park, one of the best-known water parks in the country, surrounded by resorts. It's the most common choice for those traveling with children. Aquiraz also has calmer beaches, such as Prainha and Iguape, known for their lacemakers and handicrafts.
In the municipality of Caucaia, about half an hour from the capital, Cumbuco is famous for kitesurfing and buggy rides through the dunes to the region's lagoons, where you can go sandboarding and swim in the freshwater. It works well as a day trip or as a base for a few days for those who want wind and tranquility.
On the east coast, Morro Branco is known for its labyrinth of colorful cliffs, from where the sand used in the traditional colored sand bottles comes. Next to it is Praia das Fontes, with cliffs and small springs. It's one of the most traditional day trips from Fortaleza.
Canoa Quebrada combines reddish cliffs, buggy rides, paragliding flights, and Broadway, the street of bars, restaurants, and shops that brings the village to life at night. It's a destination for those who want beach during the day and nightlife, and usually offers plenty of options for two or three nights.
Jericoacoara is the most famous destination in the state: a village with sandy streets, the Duna do Pôr do Sol, the Pedra Furada, lagoons like Paradise Lagoon and Blue Lagoon, and excursions to the east and west sides of the coast. It's quite far from the capital, and the final stretch to the village is done in authorized 4x4 vehicles, so it's worth reserving at least three nights to make the trip worthwhile. The drinks stalls here are a highlight... anyone who enjoys drinking must try the delicious caipirinhas.
For those who prefer to escape the crowds, the west coast offers options such as Lagoinha (Paraipaba), with its viewpoint and coconut groves; Paracuru, with natural pools at low tide; Flecheiras and Mundaú, in the municipality of Trairi; and Icaraí de Amontada, popular with kitesurfers. These are good stops on the way to Jericoacoara or relaxing destinations in their own right.
Approximate values, by road. Actual travel time varies depending on traffic and the final stretch of the journey to each destination.
Ceará has sunshine almost all year round and pleasant water temperatures in any season. The difference lies in the rain and wind
Also check out the schedule of parties and shows in our events calendar, because dates like New Year's Eve and major events in the capital affect prices and availability.
Detailed, day-by-day itineraries are available in our itineraries Fortaleza 3, 5, and 7-day. To choose day trips, see Tours departing from Fortaleza, and for accommodation, see Where to stay in Fortaleza.
The cuisine of Ceará is part of the journey. Here are some dishes and customs that are worth experiencing:
Recommendations for restaurants, bars, and beach kiosks can be found in the Gastronomy.
You don't need to be a tourist to enjoy the state. Those who live in Fortaleza and the surrounding area have beaches, mountains, and the interior just a few hours from home, and Hoje no Ceará is also made for this audience:
The guides for Cumbuco, Morro Branco , and Aquiraz will be added to this list as soon as they are published.
Inns, restaurants, tour operators, excursions, and local businesses can appear for those searching for Ceará, with a presence on the portal, Google My Business, biosite, and NFC-based rating boards. Talk to our team via WhatsApp. All sponsored content on Hoje no Ceará is identified as such.
With three days, focus on Fortaleza and take a day trip to Cumbuco or Beach Park. This way you can see the capital, the coastline, and a bit of the shore without wasting time on the road.
From July to January it usually rains less and is windier. Between February and May it rains more, but the sun still shines a lot and prices outside of peak season tend to be lower.
It's worth it, but not as a day trip. It's about 300 km, with the final stretch requiring a 4x4 vehicle. Ideally, you should book at least three nights in the village.
See transportation options in How to get from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara.
Aquiraz, with Beach Park and the resorts of Porto das Dunas, is the most practical choice, as it is close to the capital and has infrastructure geared towards families
Cumbuco, Porto das Dunas, Morro Branco, Paracuru, and Lagoinha are the most common day trip options from the capital.
Check if the company is registered with Cadastur, read recent reviews on Google, and ask for the terms and conditions in writing before paying.
Updated September 29, 2026. Distances, prices, schedules and conditions are subject to change; please confirm with the service provider before traveling.
