One of the largest, poorest, and most arid of the northeastern states, Ceará has a distinctive identity of its own. Fortaleza, its vibrant, bustling, modern capital, is a major tourist hub. Yet, while Fortaleza’s beaches are attractive, the coastline stretching north and south from the city offers some of the most fabulous beaches in all of Brazil, not to mention the most distinctive.

The truth is that the tropical beaches in other parts of Brazil are likely to have look-alikes in the Caribbean, Thailand, or Polynesia. However, with the exception of eastern Rio Grande do Norte, nowhere else will you encounter the striking blend of crumbling red cliffs, gleaming white sand, and intensely blue waters that are particular to Ceará.

Moreover, much of the coastline is framed by gigantic dunes that are ideal for buggying, skiing, or tobogganing. Once you’ve spent a day or two exploring Fortaleza, hit the road and surrender yourself to Nature’s intoxicating cocktail of sand, sun, and surf.