Holiday in Fortaleza
City in Brazil — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇧🇷
Country
Brazil
Type
City
Best time to travel
July to December (dry season, 26-32 °C, constant wind). January-June is the rainy season, but it rarely rains all day. Kite and windsurfing season is from August to December.
Budget/day
45-100 €
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Fortaleza Pinto Martins (FOR, about 12-16 hours with a stopover in Lisbon, Sao Paulo, or Amsterdam). No visa required for Germans for up to 90 days.
About Fortaleza
Fortaleza is the capital of the state of Ceara in northeastern Brazil and the fifth largest city in the country. The metropolis on the Atlantic is famous for its endless beaches, vibrant Forro music scene, and as a starting point for some of the most spectacular coastal landscapes in South America. Praia do Futuro is Fortaleza's most popular city beach: kilometers of white sand, turquoise water, and the typical Barracas (beach huts) with live music, fresh crabs, and ice-cold beer. On Thursdays, Praia do Futuro turns into an open-air festival with Forro music. The beach of Jericoacoara (Jeri), about 300 km west of Fortaleza, is regularly ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world: a remote fishing village with sand dunes, windsurfing lagoons, and magical sunsets from the Duna do Por do Sol. Jeri is only accessible via sandy tracks, preserving its charm. Canoa Quebrada, 160 km southeast, impresses with dramatic red sandstone cliffs overlooking a vast beach. The landmark — a crescent moon with a star carved into the cliffs — dates back to French hippies in the 1970s. Fortaleza is a center of Forro, the northeastern Brazilian couple's dance: at Pirata Bar and other clubs, people dance every Monday until dawn to accordion, zabumba, and triangle. The craft markets (especially Mercado Central and Feira da Beira Mar) offer top-quality hammocks, leather goods, and Cachaca from Ceara.
Top 5 highlights in Fortaleza
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Jericoacoara (Jeri)
One of the most beautiful beaches in the world, 300 km west: sand dunes, windsurfing lagoons, and sunsets from the Duna do Por do Sol.
Praia do Futuro
Fortaleza's home beach with Barracas: kilometers of sand, crabs, beer, and live Forro on the beach on Thursdays.
Canoa Quebrada
Red sandstone cliffs over a white beach: former hippie paradise with the iconic crescent moon-star symbol.
Beach Park
One of the largest water parks in Latin America: Insano slide (41 m high) and tropical water park, 25 km from Fortaleza.
Forro Scene (Pirata Bar)
Northeastern Brazilian couple's dance to accordion and zabumba: dance until dawn on Mondays at Pirata Bar.
Hotels in Fortaleza
Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.
* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reise-SIM für Fortaleza
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
Best time to travel for Fortaleza
Recommended travel time
July to December (dry season, 26-32 °C, constant wind). January-June is the rainy season, but it rarely rains all day. Kite and windsurfing season is from August to December.
Summer
26-32 °C, tropical warm year-round with trade winds
Winter
25-30 °C, rainy season January-June with short showers, rarely cool
How much does a holiday in Fortaleza cost?
Average costs per person per day
Budget
20-40 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
45-100 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
120-300 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
Book a package holiday to Fortaleza
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Compare package holidays now5 travel tips for Fortaleza
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
No visa required — Germans are visa-free for up to 90 days. Electronic entry registration via e-DBV is required.
Brazilian Real (BRL) — 1 € ≈ 5.5 BRL. Credit cards in hotels and restaurants, cash for beaches and markets.
Jericoacoara by transfer — organized transfers from Fortaleza (about 5-6 hours including ferry and sandy track). Do not drive on your own.
Sunscreen is extremely important — Fortaleza is close to the equator, and UV radiation is very high. Use SPF 50+ and wear a hat.
Learn to dance Forro — many hotels and dance schools offer courses. Go to Pirata Bar on Mondays for an authentic experience.
Food & drink in Fortaleza
These specialties you must try!
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