Fortaleza [1]’s urban beaches look good—and are certainly fun to stroll, loll, or snooze upon. However, when it comes to actually going swimming, it’s better to head beyond the urban sprawl. The coastline running east of Fortaleza—from the town of Aquiraz [2] to Ceará [3]’s frontier with Rio Grande do Norte [4]—is known as the Costa do Sol Nascente (Coast of the Rising Sun).
Its beachscapes are composed of white dunes, red cliffs, and fishing jangadas that set off long before sunrise to bring in the daily catch. If you’re looking for peace and tranquility, with only an occasional dose of urban excitement, consider basing yourself at one of the beaches along this coast.
Linked to Fortaleza by the well-paved CE-040 coastal highway, these beaches can be easily visited in a day trip by car or organized excursion. Buses operated by São Benedito depart regularly from the central rodoviária.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/brazil/the-northeast-coast/fortaleza-and-ceara/fortaleza
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/brazil/the-northeast-coast/fortaleza-and-ceara/east-fortaleza/aquiraz
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/brazil/the-northeast-coast/fortaleza-and-ceara
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/brazil/the-northeast-coast/natal-and-rio-grande-do-norte