Fortaleza

Eco-friendly travel guide to Fortaleza advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Fortaleza, Brazil.

Aerial View of Fortaleza

Air quality: 3 / 5

Exploring by foot: 3.5 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 4 / 5

Public transportation: 3 / 5

Parks: 4 / 5

Outdoor activities: 3 / 5

Locals' English level: 3.5 / 5

Safety: 3 / 5

Accommodation: US$40 - $150

Budget per day: US$100 - $300

Responsible Travel

Fortaleza is very famous around the countries for having many landmarks. Responsible travel refers to traveling in such a way that your actions don't cause any harm to the local communities or the environment. In the current scenario, you must follow various eco-friendly measures and participate actively in protecting our earth. When traveling around the world and experiencing the beauty of different countries up close, you truly understand that living on Earth is a gift. We must appreciate our planet more and give back to it.

As a tourist, your first preference for accommodation would be 5-star hotels, but try to avoid them. Instead, it would be best if you preferred eco-hotels, hostels, guest houses, and rental apartments. These options are not only affordable but are far better than the 5-star hotels. Also, the hostels and guest houses will give you proper exposure to the local culture as some of them host frequent social events where the guest can join and enjoy.

Avoid using disposable and plastic items as they create a lot of pollution, and a lot of natural resources are wasted in disposing of them properly. Instead, you should prefer reusable and recycled products like water bottles, handkerchiefs, cloth bags, etc. If you want to get the best experience out of your trip, prefer local businesses as they possess an authenticity that other international and retail brands lack. You will support the local communities in growing and learning about the local culture and traditions.

While traveling to the different areas of the city, avoid using rental cars and boats as the service providers usually overcharge tourists and emit many harmful gases into the atmosphere. Instead, it would be best to prefer public buses, electronic vehicles, bicycles, trains, and trams to travel in the city. These transports will also help you get a closer experience of the people's local culture and livelihood.

Air Quality and Pollution

There is a saying that it is better to be safe than to be sorry. Thus, people love to make inquiries before they visit any city as they would not want to compromise their health despite wanting to have fun during the holiday. After all, health is wealth. In line with being eco-friendly, it is good to know about the city's quality and pollution. Compared to other cities, Fortaleza's air quality is pretty good, but compared with other cities in the world, it is pretty bad.

Respect the Culture

The place not only provides you with the Brazilian culture and tradition, but it also allows you to experience the daily urban life of the city in context to its theatre, music, dance, fashion, cuisine, and many more. If you are in the city of Fortaleza, make sure to indulge in every activity the city gives you and respect and highlight the various norms and traditions.

Top 10 Places to Visit

Beach Park: It is a beachside water park and resort in the city. It is located in Rua Porto das Dunas, Fortaleza, Brazil. It was spread out across an area of 170000 meters square. It was established in the year 1985.

Praia de Iracema: It is an urban beach with a long pair & promenade. It is one of the famous beaches in the city of Forteleza.

Praia do Futuro: A beach with food vendors and restaurants. It is nowadays becoming a famous tourist place in the city of Fortaleza.

Dragao do Mar Center of Art and Culture: It is a cultural center in the city of Fortaleza. It is located in R. Dragao do Mar, Fortaleza, Brazil. The center was inaugurated in the year 1999.

Coco Park: A nature preserve in the city of Fortaleza. It is located in Av. Padre Antonio Tomas, Coco, Fortaleza, Brazil. The park was established in the year 1989. It is a type of park in urban parks.

Fortaleza Central Market: It is a large indoor market for regional crafts. It is a multilevel covered market in local leather goods, textiles, souvenirs, and jewelry. It is located in Av. Alberto Nepomuceno, Fortaleza, Brazil. It was established in the year 1809.

Ferreira Square: It is a lively square with a clock and benches. IT is located in R. Floriano Peixoto, Fortaleza, Brazil. It was named after Boticario Peixoto.

St. Joseph’s cathedral: It is a church in the city of Fortaleza. It is located in Praca da Se, Fortaleza, Brazil. It is also known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Joseph.

Landfill Iracema Beach: It is a tourist attraction in the city of Fortaleza. It is located in Av. Historiador Raimundo Girao, Fortaleza, Brazil.

Jardim Japones: It is a city park in the city of Fortaleza. It is located in Av. Beira Mar, Fortaleza, Brazil. It is an intimate garden with traditional Japanese water features, landscaping, and architecture.

Praia de Iracema

Explore

As part of the oldest cities in the World, Fortaleza is the most visited city. Visiting these places will help you explore and learn about the history, culture, and significance of the area on a first-hand basis. It is an oasis for every traveler as it offers both natural and urban places that will make your visit a memorable one. The town offers various opportunities to the tourists and the locals to experience the Ancient culture, diverse cuisines, sunny beach coasts, and the hospitable people. Many places in the city are must-visit ones. While exploring, you will be able to indulge in the world-famous Brazilian cuisines that will only enhance your Fortaleza’s experience.

City Parks

The city is big, and it has a big collection of parks and other such places. It has big open spaces and greeneries where you can spend time with your children and other family members. The views are one thing you cannot take away from parks.

Here are some famous city parks in the city:

Restacionamento City Park
Praca Jose Jatahy
White River Park
Press Square Chancellor Edson Queiroz
Ferreira Square
Luiza Tavora Square

National Parks

The country has always been famous for its beautiful and graceful natural resources, and so that this city has a wonderful collection of national parks and a zoo. We are listing down a few of them that may not exactly be located in and around the city but are not very far away from the city.

Praia Do Futuro
State’s Coco Park
Crocobeach Park
Lago Jacarey
Ecopoint Parque
Prainha

Lago Jacarey

Beaches

Fortaleza's beach scene is something that you may not have come across before. From eateries to bars, you will find a host of different outlets scattered around the beach. Once you are done soaking up the sun, you can get up and explore the different options for eating and drinking. There are also several beach clubs that you may want to check out. Every club offers different services, so it is best to do y our research before deciding which one you should visit.

Jijoca De Jericoacoara
Cumbuco
Canoa Quebrada
Beberibe
Camocim
Paracuru
Flecheiras
Lagoinha
Guajiru

Jijoca De Jericoacoara

Landmarks

The city also has its share of memorable landmarks and monuments. You must try and visit as many as you possibly can. While the list is quite long, we are mentioning a few of them for our readers' benefit.

Centro De Turismo
Guardian Iracema Statue
Museu Do Ceara
Avenida Monsenhor Tabosa
Sancturay of Our Lady of Fatima
Ecopoint
Fortaleza Secretary of Tourism

Centro De Turismo

Museums

Numerous museums are worth a visit to ensure that you leave the city has learned about its history, amongst other things. Below is a list of some of the most prominent museums in the city.

Museu Da Fotografia
Museu Do Ceara
Centro Drago Do Mar De Arte E Cultura
Museo Do Automovel
House Of Jose De Alencar
Cultural Space Uniform
Industry Museum

Inside the Museu Da Fotografia

Eat

You will find that the locals prefer to eat healthy and nutritious food with lots of vegetables and meats. Apart from these traditional and modern cuisines, the local street food is a must-try one that will leave your mouth lingering with their flavors. You will find that vegetarian, and non-vegetarian dishes are popular, and you will not find much trouble conveying your food preferences. Here are some famous local restaurants, vegetarian and vegan, and street foods are given below.

Traditional Local Restaurants

When exploring any new country and city, you must try out the local food. The local food is how you understand its culture, traditions and get to know the people better. Additionally, you may discover the new favorite flavor that you may not have discovered otherwise when trying out different cuisines.

Here are a few of them:

Restaurante O Libanes
Budega Do Gadelha
Sabor Paraense
Carneiro Do Ordones Original
Pratinhos Da Faby
Roberio Da Galinha Caipira

Vegetarian and Vegan

Whether you are craving a veggie breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even late-night snacks, you will not have a problem finding vegetarian or vegan options to serve your needs. Some popular options that you can look at when looking for vegan or vegetarian food are:

Le Gumis
Rango Verde
Mandir Restaurante Vegano
Mkali Veg Food
Restaurante Terrana

Street Food

Although you can get these street foods from kiosks and stores, you can also get them in some restaurants. It is not hard to find as almost everyone in the city is eating one of them. While visiting any Brazilian city, you must try the local street food. The local street food is the best way to learn about the traditions and culture of the city. Traditional dishes or international cuisines often inspire these food items. You will find mouthwatering food items at the local street food vendor's stalls that will make your trip complete.

Churrasco
Farofa
Feijoada
Ice Cream
Pacoca
Tapioca
Baiao De Dois

Drink

You have dozens of big, small, and medium-sized bars to choose from. You can enjoy almost all types of drinks that you get in any good western restaurant and bar. There is no ban on alcoholic drinks in the city of Fortaleza. You also will be able to come across many fruit juice stalls where you can enjoy almost all types of fruits that keep your body cool and in good health.

Tap-water

You’ll be surprised to know that the tap water in the city is the safest in Brazil. You can use the drinking fountains and other public water sources in the city to drink and will hardly face any problem. The water is filtered correctly and tested for bacteria and other harmful substances. Only after proper cleaning, the water supply is done to the various areas of the city. When you visit the city of Fortaleza, you can drink tap water without any worries. Bottled water is not necessarily safer than drinking water. However, what you ultimately opt for depends on your preference.

Organic Cafés

The city has stood up to the task of catering for all segments of the population, including those with a preference for organic foods. Since some people would prefer eating organic, it is not out of place to have organic cafes in different cities. While they are not as obvious as the mainstream restaurants, the city has several organic eateries:

Restaurante Organico
Café Vida
Grow Healthy Food
Emporio Da Tapioca Monsenhor Tabosa
Café Viriato
Torra Cafe

Breweries

If you love alcoholic drinks, you will have a swell time in the city as there are many fabulous options for you. Have a look at some of its breweries:

5Elementos Brewery
Cervejaria Goodfellas
Brewstone Pub
Orbita Bar
Owl Beer Pub
Kant Bar

Activities

The city is one of the most visited in the world by both local and international tourists alike. The activities are designed to ensure that no one is left out, and people of different interests can still enjoy and have a great time. Some of the most popular activities include museum tours, hikes, bike riding, game drives, visits to the many religious sites, and beautiful gardens, to name a few. Some of the activities are in the city center while others are just on the outskirts. It is essential to carefully plan your itinerary to ensure that you get the best out of what the city offers.

Yoga and Retreats

Yoga is traditionally a Hindu discipline that focuses on physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines. It has become quite popular globally, and there are yoga studios in almost every country in the world. There are several yoga studios in the city, and the most popular include:

Sun Center
Kiran Yoga
Estudio Ananda Yoga
Uni-Yoga Meireles
Live And Share Yoga Center

Accommodation

We would not say that accommodation in this city is cheap, neither would we say that it is expensive. The price you would get depends on your accommodation option. It may not be as low as what you would get in some cities, but it is not the most expensive in the world. With this clear, we know that the next question concerns the pricing as people want to know to plan their budget. The city has many options when it comes to accommodation, so foreigners are not stranded. These accommodation options range from hotels to apartments, and much more. You can either make accommodation plans when you are in the city or before you arrive. It would be best to do whatever works best for you.

Green Hotels

Many foreigners fail to realize that they have a role to play in protecting the environment, and it does not matter if it is your place of origin or not. If you are an environmental enthusiast, we know that you would search for green hotels in the city to ensure that you have an eco-friendly stay in the city. You should play a role in any place you find yourself.

Here are some of the green hotels in the city given below:

Pousada Carcara
Seara Praia Hotel
Ibis Fortaleza Praia De Iracema
Li-A Hotel
Hotel Il Nuraghe
Quality Hotel Fortaleza

Hostels and Guest Houses

You might not be able to get many options and features of big hotels, but they are pocket friendly. You will be able to stay in the city for a long time without spending a lot of money. Here are some of the hostels and guest houses that you can choose to stay.

Albergaria Hostel
Hostel Libra
Vivenda Do Sossego
Fill Sail Hostel
Hostel Borogodo
Sa’lar De Iracema

Apartments

If you plan to live in Fortaleza, Brazil, you could choose private apartments for a reasonably long period and would like to save on hotel accommodation. They would like to earn some passive income from their apartments that otherwise would have remained vacant. You can choose different sizes of apartments depending on your budget and requirements. You will have many such options available to you. However, not all apartment owners may feel comfortable renting out their properties to foreigners, but things are changing.

Couchsurfing

Other such benefits of Couchsurfing are that you open up with locals who may help you gain in-depth knowledge about the city you are staying in, including the safety, minor regular scams, and many other tourist attractions. In this city, Couchsurfing is possible, but the crime rates are high, which states that this city is not safe for trusting any stranger and staying in, on the same way the locals also do not believe tourists so easily. It is the reason why Couchsurfing is not as trendy as it is in other metropolitan cities in Brazil.

Camping

Some people do not understand why anyone will leave the luxury of their homes and decide to camp. However, those who have ever had a camping experience can explain that the feeling is different and fulfilling. By camping, you are leaving your immediate environment's comfort and going to a place that is in tune with nature. These places often do not have the luxury of beds, and campers end up sleeping in tents. Although camping is not an actual form of accommodation as it cannot serve long-term, it still falls under accommodation as it helps for days that anyone would engage in it. People share jokes and stories while camping, and it is a way of establishing new friendships.

Camping Praia Sul
Bela Vista Piscinas E Camping
Agua Nossa De Cada Dia
Camping Cumbuco
Aventurar

How to Get There

Several modes of transport can be used to travel to the city, with the most convenient for you being dictated by where you are coming from, be it a local or international area. People from surrounding cities usually travel to the city by bus or train. While those coming from further away commonly use airplanes.

Air

Pinto Martins - Fortaleza International Airport serves the city, and you can reach her from almost every major city in the world. In addition to this, the city is well connected to the airport via trains, buses, taxis. Many people would agree that using air is the fastest means of transportation to anywhere, so we know that this would be the top option on the mind of some people when they want to visit the city of Fortaleza.

Fortaleza International Airport

Bus

If you love road trips and witness the natural beauty on the way, then you can choose this option. Having a trip to Fortaleza on a bus is the best idea to get there if you are traveling from a city in Brazil. The bus is ubiquitous and well-used transportation that will help you to get to the city smoothly. You will reach your destination very fast at a very reasonable price. The buses are very frequent in this city, and you will find many bus terminals and hubs scattered throughout the city.

A bus in Fortaleza

Train

Many people in the city would tell you that using a train is the cheapest means of transportation. Thus, it is not surprising that people are always rushing for the train. Some people book ahead so that they would not miss using it to reach their destination.

Hitchhiking

Some drivers might not want to stop for strangers, but you would get a ride as someone would be compelled to stop. It may be that you can hitchhike for free in some other places, but it does not work that way in South American cities. If a driver stops for you and agrees to carry you, they will ask you for payments. So, your money should be ready, or you will be stranded on the road. Hitchhiking is also amongst the means of transportation you can get to the city. However, the clause of it happening is if you are within surrounding cities. Some people love the idea of hitchhiking because they think it is a way of getting a free ride and saves the cost.

Others

Shared rides are another means of reaching the city. It could be that you want to order a taxi that would take you there, but the amount is too expensive, and you cannot cover it alone. In such a case, you need to look for someone who is also going to the same destination and is willing to share a ride. This way, you both would share the expenses, and it would not be on you alone. It is not always hard to get someone who wants a shared ride as it is common in the region. Thus, it is another viable option.

Moving Around

If you wish to travel, then the best option at your disposal is public transports such as subway trains, available buses, and electronic vehicles. Walking is an alternative mode of moving around but is the healthiest and cheapest mode. These modes of transportations are efficient in helping you move around the city and discover the city's hidden gems. However, you need to know what are the available options that you can use to move around the attractive places in the city. Moving around the city will help you get the best experience in the city and find some of the best places.

Walk

Some people might feel that walking is stressful, but it has many health benefits, and you should try it out. Some people do not like to walk around in a new city because they fear being robbed. This is understandable, but you do not need to worry as the city is a safe space for locals and foreigners. Another reason why foreigners do not fancy the idea of walking is because they fear that they might miss their way, and this is something they wish to avoid. The city has man landmarks, which we have highlighted above, so navigating is usually painless. The locals are also always ready to help out.

Bicycle

If you cannot travel long distances by walking, you can use an electronic or mechanical bicycle to cover up distances faster. Bicycles are friendly to the environment and your travel budget. Since this group cannot afford public transport every day to and from work, many of them use bicycles to move around. The last few months have seen a campaign dubbed Critical Mass initiated to encourage the city's residents.

Electronic Vehicles

The city is highly urbanized, and they are in touch with the latest features in the world. Thus, electric vehicles are not strange to any of the locals. Knowing that you can get an electronic vehicle if you desire, the next question for foreigners is how safe it is to use such in the city. It is expected that everyone would have safety procedures at the back of their mind, and you would not want to use something like an electronic scooter on a busy road to obstruct cars. This way, you would get a less busy environment. You should also use it at the edge of the road to avoid any stories that would touch the heart.

Public Bus

You can use public buses to travel to different city areas and gain some useful information from the locals on the bus. They are an eco-friendly option and very inexpensive as well. The public buses in Brazil are the cheapest mode of moving around Fortaleza. These buses are a standard mode of transportation for the locals and are entirely safe for tourists.

Tram, Train and Subway

Taking trains will help you get the best experience traveling the city very comfortably without any interruptions. There are many subways available in the town, but they are not well connected to famous points. If you do not like to wait in traffic while exploring the city, then the best option for you to move around the city on trains. High-speed trains are prevalent in this city, helping you move from place to place very fast. You will be able to stop at all the famous points at a reasonable price, and there is no traffic or signals that will interrupt you.

Sustainable Shopping

The products are human-made, which requires immense labor, thus, creating employment opportunities. It is the reason why the prices are lower than standard products because the energy is renewable and does not costs much. These products also reduce pollution, including soil pollution. Buying sustainable products also makes you a responsible tourist and reduces your carbon footprints during your tour.

Food Markets

Roaming the food markets is always good, as you will be able to get close to the locals and learn about different cooking and eating ingredients. For many travelers, food is one of the necessary things in travel as it helps to understand the lifestyle of local people.

Fortaleza Central Market
Mercadinho O Nonato - Nonato’s International Market Store
Mercadinho Centro
Sacaria Sao Jorge
Jardim Iracema

Flea Markets

Several flea markets across the city offer both an exciting shopping experience and a chance to mingle with the locals. Most of them sell various things at reasonable prices, some of which are found in local shops. However, they tend to double the price when selling to tourists. Some of these flea markets are:

Fortaleza Central Market
Integral Mix
O Gaviao
Feirinha Beira Mar
Mercado Paseo Maritimo
Monastiraki Flea Market

Second Hand Stores

These stores sell second-hand products and provide a wide variety with a warranty. There are many second-hand stores in Fortaleza that are very famous among low-budget tourists and locals.

Bagluxo Brecho
Flea Cia Brazil
Fortal Usados
Brecho Nossa Senhora De Fatima
Balaio Brecho

Eco-Fashion

Buying eco-friendly products reduce the number of pesticides which might be required in cloth farming. It also reduces toxic waste, which mainly includes several dyes that are needed to color clothes. Even the maintenance of these clothes helps you become eco-friendly. It requires clothes to be washed in cold water; no chemicals are needed to clean it; therefore, it reduces your carbon footprints. The quality of these products is comparatively higher because natural fabrics are hard to extract. There are many eco-fashion stores available throughout the city.

Recycling

You will find that various public and private agencies provide recycling services to their customers. You can visit these agencies and get your waste recycled at a small or no charge. Some of these agencies offer customers vouchers or coupons that they can use to buy items from other local shops. Recycling is a must in a city where the pollution levels are so high. As a tourist, you should prefer using recycled and reusable items instead of buying brand new ones. As a foreigner, you should join hands with the locals and imbibe the recycling culture. Because your city of origin does not practice recycling does not mean that you should not do it in a city where it is applicable. There is always a difference between cities that recycle and those that do not.

Waste

The government needs to come with new rules and guidelines to control waste management. For this, they must install dustbins at various public places so that no one throws garbage on the roads. Many of the people are spotted throwing litter along the river coast and in the river too. However, the government has implemented strict rules regarding polluting the river. Waste requires a massive landform in which all the garbage is collectively dumped. It creates land and air pollution because of its toxic smell. If not kept to the dumping ground, Waste can cause various diseases like yellow fever and many more.

Work and Study Abroad

Working and studying abroad allows individuals to be able to experience a different country and city up close. It is an excellent way to explore the city and discover how the city works truly. When visiting a country as a tourist, it is easy to miss out on life's daily intricacies in a different country. However, suppose you truly want to experience and learn more about a different country and appreciate its culture. In that case, you can only do so by living there for a substantial amount of time. The city of Fortaleza welcomes international students, workers as well as volunteers. From Student Exchange programs to volunteer work, there are several ways for people from international cities to come and stay in Fortaleza and learn more about the city.

Exchange Student

There are many famous universities and colleges in Fortaleza, so that you would see exchange students in abundance. If you are an international student in this country, you should not fear that locals will dominate the educational institutions as you would also see many foreigners. Since the city is amongst the best in South America, tales of ye quality of their universities and colleges spread, and students in other schools will want to do exchange programs in the city. There are several programs for exchange students in the city, and you need to find out from your current University if they are affiliated with any of the institutions. Many surrounding cities are striving to attain the level of popularity gotten by the universities and colleges in Fortaleza.

Au Pair

An au pair is a young foreign person who helps with housework or childcare in exchange for food, a room, and pocket money. Many people are usually ready to work in this city, but some might encounter issues finding jobs as it may be that many are also applying for the same position. You will see some people downcast because they cannot seem to secure a job, and this is where the idea of Au Pair comes into pair. Au Pair is almost similar to Couchsurfing as it pairs you with a host you would work for and get paid in return. It is a win-win situation as it saves you the stress of searching for a job, and the host gets their job done quickly. Au pairing is a relatively new concept in countries where a foreign couple helps out a family meet their responsibilities and manage a household. Maybe if you reach out to a few local people, they will help you navigate and get you in touch with people interested in the idea, and you can stay with a host family like that.

Volunteering

There are hundreds of organizations in the city of Fortaleza that provide volunteering options. Suppose you wish to indulge in a volunteering act while in the city, you would not have difficulty getting any. Volunteering is a way of you helping and giving back to society. It is not done out of force, but because you are passionate about the cause. It is common to see people desire to be volunteers in Fortaleza, and it is best to attach yourself to an organization to make the process easier. Engaging in volunteering activities while in Fortaleza shows that you are a responsible tourist. Volunteering is a rather noble act whereby an individual gives their time and energy in exchange for nothing to help those who are less fortunate. Several voluntary organizations across Fortaleza are always open to accepting volunteers on either a short or long-term basis. Many organizations in Fortaleza are helping people become aware of the various societal issues that need to resolve. You will find that several young people take an active part in such activities and providing their vital help in spreading awareness on various social issues like the need for environmental protection, animal protection, proper recycling and disposal of waste, etc. Several organizations have provisions for international volunteers to participate in volunteer work in the city of Fortaleza. These voluntary services can last for up to a year. Volunteer services are available for youth and senior participants alike.