Choose from 8 Fun Things to Do in Fortaleza
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Nossa Senhora de Assuncao Fort
The history of Nossa Senhora de Assuncao Fort dates back to 1649, when it was built by the Dutch under the direction of Captain Matias Beck as Forte Schoonemborch. Just five years later in 1654, the fort was captured by the Portuguese and renamed after the patron saint of Fortaleza. When Fortaleza was officially founded in 1726, it was named after the fortress.
Since 1942, Nossa Senhora de Assuncao Fort has been a Brazilian army headquarters, but parts of the fort remain open to the public. Two such areas include a museum dedicated to General Antonio de Sampaio, a local Ceara war hero from the nineteenth century War of Paraguay, as well as the cell where the mother of Jose de Alencar, a famous Brazilian novelist from Ceara, was jailed.
Practical Info
Guided tours of Nossa Senhora de Assuncao Fort are available and led by the soldiers who are based at the fort.
Address: Av. Alberto Nepomuceno, Fortaleza 60055-000, Brazil
From $ 22
Mercado Central
Like many northeastern Brazilian cities, Fortaleza is famous for its handicrafts, particularly its embroidered white lace textiles. One of the best places in the city to pick up locally made gifts and souvenirs is at the Mercado Central.
The market got its start as a meat, fruit and vegetable market housed in a small wooden building in 1809. In 1931 the government prohibited the sale of meat and produce within the market, so the industry was forced to shift to crafts. The market as it stands today was built in 1998 to include better facilities and more space for vendors.
The four floor market, located in city center, houses dozens of shops on each floor selling textiles, woven hammocks, paintings, clay sculptures, leather bags, palm baskets, T-shirts and other items. Visitors who want to take home a taste of their travels can also pick up local cashews and bottles of cachaça, the traditional Brazilian spirit made from sugarcane juice.
Practical Info
Mercado Central is open seven days a week, but with limited hours on Saturdays and Sundays.
Address: Av. Alberto Nepomucemo, 199 - Centro, Fortaleza 60055-000, Brazil
From $ 22
Jose de Alencar Theater
Just to the west of Fortaleza's Central Market sits the early 20th-century Art Nouveau-style Jose de Alencar Theater. Construction on the theater began in 1904, but it wasn't until June of 1910 that it officially opened, named after Fortaleza-born novelist and dramatist Jose de Alencar.
Besides the 800-seat concert hall, the theater also includes a theater garden designed by Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, an outdoor state and a small annex with another 90-seat theater.
Even after a century, the Jose de Alencar Theater remains at the cultural center of Fortaleza, with regular performances and artistic activities. So important is the theater to the city of Fortaleza that it was featured on the official poster promoting Fortaleza as a venue for the 2014 World Cup.
Practical Info
While the theater's facade is certainly colorful and ornate, the interior, with its frescoes and decorative wrought iron, is well worth a look as well.
Address: Rua Liberato Barroso, 525 - Centro, Fortaleza 60030-160, Brazil
From $ 22
Meireles Beach
The Brazilian state of Ceara is famous for its long coastline and numerous beaches. In the city of Fortaleza, Meireles Beach is one of the busiest stretches of coast, packed with the highest concentration of hotels and seaside restaurants serving up traditional Brazilian food and drink.
Located just east of city center in the middle class Meireles neighborhood, Meireles Beach is a popular spot for morning joggers, and in the evenings, it's surrounded by the famous Feirinha de Artesanato (Artisan Fair) where vendors sell locally made crafts and textiles. It's a great place to pick up Fortaleza embroidered lace.
Practical Info
Meireles Beach makes a great spot for a seaside stroll, but with its position near the middle of Fortaleza, the water generally isn't clean enough for swimming.
Address: Fortaleza, Brazil
From $ 22
Metropolitan Cathedral
Designed by French architect George Mounier and allegedly inspired by the grand cathedral in Cologne, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Forteza is the third largest cathedral in Brazil. Construction on the Gothic-Roman style structure began in 1939, but it wouldn't be fully completed until late in 1978, nearly 40 years later.
Upon entering the Metropolitan Cathedral, built to seat 5,000 worshippers, visitors encounter the Chapel of St. Joseph, the Patron Saint of the Brazilian state of Ceará to the left of the nave. On the right is another small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption, the Patron Saint of Fortaleza. The cathedral's central alter was brought over from Verona.
One interesting feature that sets the Metropolitan Cathedral apart from other such structures is its crypt. The Crypt of the Adolescents was inaugurated in 1962 with six alters devoted to saints who died in their teenage years, and the depiction of Jesus in the crypt alter shows him as an adolescent as well.
Don't let the concrete masonry on the cathedral's exterior turn you off. The stained glass windows on the inside are stunning and well worth the visit.
Practical Info
The Metropolitan Cathedral holds mass every day but Monday.
Address: Rua Monsenhor Tito Guedes, s/nº - Centro, Fortaleza 60030-030, Brazil
From $ 22
Cumbuco Beach
Fortaleza is blessed with many spectacular beaches and Cumbuco Beach is no exception. Just 45 minutes drive from the city and attached to a small fishing village, the beach is distinguished by its rolling white sand dunes and empty stretches of sand lined with coconut trees.
Cumbuco Beach is a popular spot for kite surfing, sand boarding and buggy tours - the latter involving a hair-raising ride over the bumps and inclines that will leave you giddy and white-knuckled and most likely eager for more!
There are more sedate activities available including horse riding and boat rides, although the most popular activity is of course soaking up the sun on the beach.
The beach fills up with locals on weekends but there is little to do in the Cumbuco at night "“ you'll need to return to the city if you want to party.
Practical Info
Cumbuco is 37 km (23 mi) west of Fortaleza. Follow the signs for CE-090.
Address: Cumbuco, Fortaleza, Brazil
Admission: Free
From $ 24
Fortaleza Beach Park
Fortaleza Beach Park is a hugely popular entertainment and leisure complex on the northeastern coast of Brazil. Every year, more than 700,000 people visit the tropical playground's resort, hotels, restaurants, shops, sailing raft museum, water park"”one of the largest in South America"”and beach.
The Basics
Located in Porto das Dunas, just outside of Fortaleza, the Beach Park complex offers fun for everyone. Its main attraction is its enormous Aqua Park, with waterslides, waterfalls, and an artificial river. You can surf in a wave swimming pool, try out some of the thrilling "radical" attractions, or visit the family-friendly Noah's Ark. Other spots that are suitable for children of all ages include the Acqua Show and Acqua Circo.
Tours to Beach Park also typically include stops at Fortaleza highlights such as the Metropolitan Cathedral (aka Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Joseph), Martyrs Square, Central Market, and the Statue of Iracema. Some tours stop at other area beaches such as Cumbuco, Jericoacoara, Meireles, Morro Branco, and Canoa Quebrada.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Beach Park is a must-do for water park"“lovers, thrill-seekers, and families visiting Fortaleza.
- The on-site Beach Grill, Wave Bar, Beachburger, and other eateries serve meals throughout the day.
- Kids Club and Beach Baby provide babysitting services so adults can enjoy some free time.
- Wheelchairs are available for use within the park, and there are several accessible restrooms.
How to Get There
Fortaleza Beach Park is 9 miles (16 kilometers) from downtown Fortaleza. Many tours of Fortaleza that stop at the beach park include round-trip transportation from the city. Parking is available on-site.
When to Get There
Be sure to check the park's online calendar for opening days and times, which vary by month, and special events. The best time to visit Fortaleza is January to June"”it is the dry season, with less humidity and very low chance of rain.
Insano
One of the most popular attractions at Beach Park is the aptly named Insano (Insane). This 135-foot (41-meter) waterslide's vertical angle yields incredibly rapid descents"”at speeds of up to 65 miles (105 kilometers) per hour! Brave souls plunge down it in about five seconds. The slide was once in the Guinness Book of World Records for its height, but in 2002 was eclipsed by the Kilimanjaro slide at Aldeia das ÃÂguas Park Resort in Barra do Piraí, Brazil.
Address: Rua Porto das Dunas, Fortaleza 61700-000, Brazil
Admission: Varies
From $ 22
Morro Branco
Morro Branco's red colored cliffs are an easy day trip from Fortaleza. While looking strikingly red from a distance (particularly when contrasted with the surrounding white dunes), when explored up close, you can see that the sand cliffs have a number of pink, cream and beige colored hues that together form their distinctive overall color.
The area can be explored via a warren of tracks that flow, maze-like, between the cliffs. Local guides are on hand at the Morro Branco village, to steer you through and point out the most interesting sections. You can also arrange buggy rides along the beach here or walk to the lighthouse.
Morro Branco craftsmen fill small bottles with the sand of varying tones to create a quite unique souvenir. You can buy the colored sand bottles along the beach and in the village.
Practical Info
Morro Branco is about 1.5 hours from Fortaleza on Ceara's east coast.
Address: near Beberibe, Brazil
Admission: Free
From $ 28