Fortaleza
Nearby Fortaleza City is home to towering sand dunes, beautiful blue-green waters, modern hotels, four and a half million residents and a lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere. Unfortunately tourists rarely see anymore of Fortaleza than the Pinto Martins International Airport which serves as the main hub for international travellers in the north east of Brazil.
Fortaleza is home to the largest water park in Latin America which is a must do for families and the young at heart. High end restaurants and five star hotels which cater for business visitors are spread throughout the city, as our Forró clubs where you can learn the local dance, bars, theatres, nightclubs and comedy shows.
But it is the shopping that draws many tourists and long term residential tourists as it is the principle city where international goods and products can be found alongside traditional food products and artesania.
The new Beach and Water Park opened in Fortaleza in June 2008 and became the largest water park in the Americas. “Acquario” is the largest Aquarium in South America where you and your family can discover the ocean in a way you never imagined. The Gaudi inspired architecture will enthral all that visit and educate you about oceanography, the underwater environment, introduce you to stunning fish, allow you to walk through a “Tunnel of Sharks” and even enjoy a submarine ride.
There are a host of day trips that you can take from Fortaleza including many to the various beaches both to the north and south of the city or you can enjoy a guided tour of Fortaleza city, visiting the old town and cultural centre before you head out to discover the fantastic shops and luxury shopping malls.
At the end of July is the annual carnival called the Fortal which lasts for 4 days and is a great way to experience the vibrancy and ethnicity of Brazil at street level.
Entertainment in Fortaleza
Dragão do Mar, is a cultural area where a lot of the trendy bars and clubs are to be found offering pleaant surroundings and reasonable prices http://www.dragaodomar.org.br/index.php
“Orbita” is recommended for a pleasant atmosphere with many of the clientele speaking English and offer various music themes dependant on the day of the week.
The main club “Marcicupe”, is a little more upmarket and is the place to be on Friday nights in Fortaleza. Boasting several floors and different vibes, there is something for everyone regardless of your mood. There are 6 areas: Alfandega live music with the best of pop rock, axe music and etc, Arena which holds 1,500 people and plays rock n'roll, pop rock classics and etc, Estacao which holds about 300 people and mostly plays blues, MTV, pop and Jazz, Usina which holds about 800 people and it is the space for techno and dance music, Tunel which offers the best of flashback '60, '70, '80 and '90’s and finally the restaurant, Vintage.
Amicis is a great little Italian restaurant at the Centro Cultural in Dragão do Mar which serves excellent pizzas. After 11pm it turns into an intense night club with Saturday being the best day to visit when they play samba music from today to yesteryear.
Praia de Iracema is a stunning beach which is home to the Acquario water park and it is here that the wealthier crowd indulge themselves. It is a bit of a conundrum as you will find some great restaurants alongside some seedier bars, both of which are filled with locals and tourists. One of the main attractions is 'Forró do Pirata' Bar which is promoted as having the Number 1 Monday night in the world.
Beira Mar is located along from Praia de Iracema and is where the local workers go to enjoy the beach. The Beira mar is the most central place for everything in Fortaleza and is designed essentially as a boardwalk promenade. Here you will find rows of Hotels and restaurants, evening outdoor markets that sell everything from souvenirs to leather goods.
Excellent restaurants in Beira Mar include “Camaroes” which is a first class fish restaurant with a wide choice of meats for the land lubbers. http://www.lagostasbeiramar.com.br/
“Dom Churrasco” is a cute little bistro style restaurant which serves beautiful steaks and fish together with a selection of salads. http://www.domchurrasco.com.br/
“Sal e Brasa” is just outside of Beira Mar, but offers a stunning carvery. Self service salads and vegetables galore, but it is the meat that steals the show. Waiters constantly bring round huge skewers of meat and carve directly onto your plate. You can eat as much or as little as you can.
If you feel the need for fast food you will also find pizzas and burgers.
Aldeota is where all the shops and boutiques are to be found especially at Dom Luis where you can enjoy some very serious retail therapy. This is also where our lawyers are based, in fact most of the established Fortaleza lawyers are based here
Praia de Futuro is once again a very popular area with all types of locals. Here you will find some of the larger residences in Fortaleza, nestled alongside the zoo and some “favela” type neighbourhoods.
Local beaches include Croco Beach and Coco Beach, but if you feel the need to meet some expats, then head to Boa Vida, where you will find security lockers, international cuisine and live music.
The Fortaleza Metro
The Fortaleza Metro (Metrô de Fortaleza) - commonly called the Metrofor - is the city of Fortaleza's rapid transit system. The system is currently under construction and is expected to begin operation in 2010.
Its lines have its roots in the old system of the Brazilian Company of Urban Trains (CBTU) in Fortaleza, which are being adapted to service the new underground. As of 2008, 22 stations are in operation: 13 on the south line and eight on the west line beyond the central station. With the new metro, 14 more stations will go online, three of which will be underground. Travelling through and around Fortaleza will be a breeze.
Crafts and Shopping
Discover the embroidery of Aquiraz, the hammocks of Jaguaruana, the craftsmanship of the Tapeba Indians and the small bottles with drawings made of coloured sands on the beachside of Morro Branco and the leather products made in Cariri.
In downtown Fortaleza you can while away a few hours at the centre of arts and crafts, the Tourism Centre (EMCETUR), which is located in the old public jailhouse. The fully restored building also houses a museum of Ceará’s culture and, of course, countless shops offering embroidery, ceramic, leather and wooden articles, among others.
CEART.
Located in a square on one of Fortaleza’s main avenues, the CEART, The Crafts Centre of Ceará, is one of the nicest places to buy local art and crafts. With a wide variety of world class quality items, the CEART offers a piece of every type of craft you may find throughout the state.
Monsenhor Tabosa Avenue
Fortaleza’s corridor of culture and fashion, the charming Monsenhor Tabosa Avenue in the Praia de Iracema neighbourhood is where you can indulge yourself in retail therapy to your hearts content and test drive next years stylish fashions.
