Fortaleza

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.

Fortaleza has become the principle destination for millions of Brazilian tourists in the last decade, eager to sample the laidback lifestyle and stunning beaches. These increased numbers have added pressure for Fortaleza to not only increase its Hotel capacity but also to construct second homes in the area in order to cater for the huge demand. Fortaleza already has an undersupply of first homes in the area that runs to hundreds of thousands and this increased schedule has encouraged many overseas investors to bring millions in FDI to the region. With massive projects already in progress, that will cater for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup in 2014, the Confederations Cup in 2013 and now th Olympics in 2016, the future looks extremely healthy for Fortaleza and its outlying regions.

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 fashion

 

Fortaleza is the state capital of Ceara state and the fifth largest city in Brazil and has been designated as one of the host cities for the FIFA World Cup in 2014. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested in the city’s infrastructure in recent years in order to improve roads, railways, shipping and airline links.

Pecem Port which is the 2nd largest port in Brazil is located on the outskirts of Fortaleza and is responsible for the majority of agricultural and industrial import and exports in the country. As the port has grown in importance the area has benefited immensely, both economically and socially.

Fortaleza is the principle arrival point for most international travellers as well as national airline tourists. Although there are numerous hotels in Fortaleza, aside from the Beira Mar beachfront area, most tourists head out of the city to quieter areas that offer tranquil beaches, cheap pousadas and a more relaxed schedule.

Since the turn of the century the urban area of Fortaleza has spread rapidly, engulfing small villages that were once independent from the city. This has led to locations further afield becoming the new “hot spots” for tourists, eager to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and its bright lights.

One of the most popular and established areas is about an hour and half north of Fortaleza. Trairi, Lagoinha, Flexeiras and Guajiru have been the destinations of choice for Fortaleza’s wealthy for decades, but now they are being discovered by the rest of the world.

View the multi-award winning development The Coral Lake and Beach Resort