Fortaleza

Fortaleza has beautiful beaches and a thriving nightlife, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north. As one of the biggest cities in Brazil, Fortaleza has more than 400 miles of beaches as well as full collection of resorts, restaurants, and everything else needed to enjoy a beach vacation.

Along the coast, the ribbon of white-sand beaches separates the ocean from towering sand dunes. All of the beaches in Fortaleza are blessed with year-round pleasant weather. The trade winds keep conditions from getting too hot and humid, and 350 days of sunshine a year mean you’re almost guaranteed a nice day at the beach.

One of the most popular beaches, Iracema Beach is close to the restaurants and clubs in the heart of Fortaleza. Like many other Brazil beaches, Iracema offers a wide stretch of sand where you can relax or find thrills, whatever suits your fancy.

Another popular place for watching sunsets, Praia de Meireles is located along Avenida Beira Mar, the street where many of Fortaleza’s best hotels are located. The beach is popular with people out for a jog or a stroll, as well as those just relaxing in the sun for a nap. A market filled with locally made crafts and products is located along Meireles Beach, as are restaurants and snack shops.

Next door, Mucuripe Beach is the southernmost of the city-managed beaches. It offers a tiled walkway as well as views of the fishing boats lined up together. Naturally, its fish market has some of the best and freshest seafood anywhere. On a warm summer’s day, a visit to the sorvetarias is in order; these ice cream parlors specialize in sherbets crafted from locally grown fruit.