Top places to visit in Fortaleza

• Beach Park

  Activity · 4.6 rating · about 6 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of the best waterparks in South America, 45 minutes from Fortaleza. Famous for the Insano — once the world's tallest waterslide at 41m.

• Praia do Futuro

  Beach · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Fortaleza's most energetic beach — 8km of strong waves, beach barracas (restaurants) with music and dancing. Best on Thursday evenings when crab parties happen.

• Centro Dragão do Mar

  Cultural · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Fortaleza's major cultural complex — planetarium, contemporary art museum (MAUC), amphitheatre and trendy bars.

Things to do

• Buggy Tour to Morro Branco Dunes Adventure · 4 h · from 120 per person
• Kite Surfing at Cumbuco Adventure · 2 h · from 200 per person

Where to stay in Fortaleza

• Meireles about BRL 350 per night

  Fortaleza's tourist beachfront strip — lined with hotels, restaurants and the Beira Mar promenade. Safe, central and walkable. Best base for the city.

Hotels

• Gran Marquise Hotel Fortaleza 5-star · BRL 480 to BRL 1,200 per night
• Hotel Luzeiros Fortaleza 4-star · BRL 280 to BRL 650 per night

Where to eat

• Chico do Caranguejo seafood, regional · about BRL 65 per person
• Cais do Porto northeastern-brazilian, seafood, contemporary · about BRL 130 per person
• Mercado dos Pinhões regional, street-food, market · about BRL 25 per person

Getting around

• Bus main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Car Rental Self main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Ride Hail main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Walking

  Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.

Safety and scams to avoid

• Dune Buggy Driver Extortion

  Genipabu and north coast beaches

  Unlicensed buggy drivers offer a tour at a stated price then demand much more at the end, sometimes driving to a remote location before the demand.

  How to avoid it: Only book buggy tours through hotel concierges or established companies. Agree the full price in writing before departure. Stick to licensed operators (Prefeitura-approved list).

• Beach Jewellery Scam

  Praia do Futuro and Beira Mar

  Vendors tie a friendship bracelet or place a necklace on you then demand payment. If you refuse they become aggressive.

  How to avoid it: Do not allow street vendors to touch you or put anything on you. Say "não obrigado" firmly and walk away immediately.

More in Brazil

• Rio de Janeiro
• Fernando de Noronha
• São Paulo
• Foz do Iguaçu
• Salvador
• Manaus