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Fortaleza, CE
Summary: Canoa Quebrada is a village in the municipality of Aracati, on the east coast of Ceará, about 165 km from Fortaleza. It is known for its reddish cliffs, the moon and star symbol carved into the rock, and Broadway, the street of bars and restaurants that brings life to the night. The main excursions are buggy rides through the dunes and cliffs, which can go as far as Ponta Grossa Beach, paragliding, and raft trips. In this guide, Hoje Hoje no Ceará shows how to get there, what to do, where to stay, and whether a day trip is worthwhile.
This guide is part of our Ceará tourism guide. Canoa Quebrada is also on our list of day trips from Fortaleza.
In this guide:
Canoa Quebrada is located on the east coast of Ceará, in the municipality of Aracati, near the border with Rio Grande do Norte. It is approximately 165 km from Fortaleza (depending on the starting point). The village sits atop cliffs, facing the sea, surrounded by dunes and an environmental protection area.
Those traveling along CE-040 pass through the Messejana, where the Tapioca Center is a classic stop for breakfast. Also along the way is Morro Branco, in Beberibe, which can be combined with a trip.
Canoa Quebrada originated from a small community of fishermen and jangada (traditional raft) sailors, known as Esteves or Estevão. Until the 1960s, it was an isolated village with difficult access. Its fame began with the arrival of foreigners and, in the 1970s, hippies who were enchanted by the dunes, the cliffs, and the atmosphere of freedom. Some stayed, married locals, and helped shape the village's identity.
From that time comes the moon and star symbol carved into the cliffs, which became the trademark of Canoa Quebrada. There are several versions about its origin, all linked to the crafts and alternative culture of those years. To contain the disorderly occupation, the region gained an Environmental Protection Area (APA) in the late 1990s.
The reddish cliffs are the village's iconic image. A walkway at the top allows you to stroll with a view of the sea. Along the beach, you can reach the cliff face with the moon and star symbol, the most famous photo spot in Canoa. Do not write or scratch on the cliffs: this accelerates erosion and is an environmental crime.
Dragão do Mar Street, known as Broadway, is the main street of the village. It brings together restaurants, bars, craft shops and live music, and gets lively after sunset. On weekends and holidays there is usually a craft fair. It's the nightlife scene in Canoa Quebrada.
The beach has warm water and large beach huts with facilities for spending the day. The most beautiful stretch, with the cliffs in the background, is a few minutes' walk along the sand. At low tide, natural pools form in some spots.
Tandem paragliding flights, with an instructor, fly over the cliffs and the beach and last an average of 15 minutes. Takeoff usually happens near the church square, at the end of Broadway, generally in the afternoon. The flight depends on the wind of the day, so confirm on site.
In the late afternoon, the Duna do Pôr do Sol is the place to watch the sun set over the dunes and cliffs. Many buggy tours end there.
On the beach, jangadeiros (traditional fishermen) offer short boat trips to see the cliffs from the sea. There are also horseback riding tours along the shore and quad bike tours through the dunes, with a guide.
The consistent winds along the east coast are also ideal for kitesurfing and windsurfing, with schools and equipment rentals available in the area.
Neighboring Canoa, Majorlândia Beach has a wide stretch of sand, cliffs, and a calmer atmosphere, frequented by locals. A good option for those who want to escape the crowds.
The town center, located a few kilometers from the village, has a historic center with old mansions along the banks of the Jaguaribe River. It's worth a stop for anyone who enjoys history and architecture.
The buggy tour is the most popular activity in the village. The price is usually charged per buggy, which can accommodate up to four passengers. The most common routes are:
Hire licensed buggy drivers, agree on the route, duration, and price before setting off, and wear your seatbelt throughout the ride. The village guesthouses often recommend trustworthy professionals.
It's possible to visit Canoa Quebrada on a long day trip from Fortaleza, leaving very early and returning at night. But it's about a five-hour drive in total, and the day trip leaves out the best part: the sunset on the dune and the nightlife on Broadway.
The village is small and almost everything is within walking distance. Options range from simple guesthouses to charming hotels with swimming pools and sea views.
If your trip is short and your focus is the capital, stay in Fortaleza and visit Canoa as a day trip. See the neighborhoods in Where to stay in Fortaleza.
Broadway is where most of the restaurants are concentrated, offering seafood, regional cuisine, pizzerias, and international dishes, reflecting the many foreigners who live in the village. On the beach, stalls serve fried fish, shrimp, lobster, and portions to share. Ask about the price of items sold by weight and check if there is a service charge.
Canoa Quebrada is the main destination on the east coast. On the west coast, the most popular are Cumbuco, with dunes and lagoons half an hour from the capital, and Jericoacoara. To plan your trip from the capital, see the guide Fortaleza.
We are preparing detailed guides about the buggy tour to Ponta Grossa, where to stay in Canoa Quebrada , and what to do at night on Broadway. The links will appear here as soon as each one goes live.
Inns, restaurants, Broadway bars, beach kiosks, buggy drivers, paraglider pilots, and tour operators may appear for those planning a trip to Canoa Quebrada, including foreign visitors, with presence on the portal, Google My Business, biosite, and NFC rating boards. Contact our team via WhatsApp. All sponsored content is identified.
Approximately 165 km via CE-040. By car, the trip takes around 2h30, depending on traffic and stops.
Yes, it's possible to leave Fortalezavery early, but it's about a five-hour drive in total. With one or two nights' stay, you can enjoy the sunset, Broadway, and the trip to Ponta Grossa.
This is Rua Dragão do Mar, the main street of the village, with restaurants, bars, craft shops and live music at night.
The Cliffs Route to Ponta Grossa is the most comprehensive, but it depends on low tide. Those with limited time can take the shorter dune tour, which lasts about an hour.
There is a direct bus line from the Fortalezabus station, and other companies go to Aracati, from where you can continue by taxi or van. Check the schedules with the companies before traveling.
The design carved into the cliffs emerged in the 1970s and became a landmark of the village. There are several versions of its origin, linked to local crafts and the alternative culture of the time.
Updated October 1, 2026. Distances, bus schedules, prices, and tour itineraries are subject to change; please confirm with service providers before traveling.
