Travel to Fortaleza

laid-back beaches, popular with urban Brazilians

Set on the northern coast of Brazil, around 2500 km (1500 miles) north of Rio de Janeiro, Fortaleza is the fifth largest city in the country, a thriving modern metropolis of almost three million people.

The city is one of the oldest in the Americas, having been first established in the year 1500, and contains some interesting historic and colonial architecture. However it is not somewhere that tends to feature in many trips.

The main reason that international visitors do occasionally end up passing through is when using Fortaleza International Airport (FOR) to access some of the more interesting and alluring sections of this coastline.

Jericoacoara

Set 250 km (150 miles) northwest of Fortaleza, Jericoacoara is a popular beach resort, renowned for its laid-back sociable atmosphere and endless beaches.

Up to 1995, Jeri (as the town is widely known), was a remote and little-visited fishing village, more-or-less cut off from the outside world by the surrounding sand dunes.

The special nature of the area, with its enormous dunes and freshwater oases, has long been recognised and protected, with the area having been declared a national park in 2002.

As well as protecting the greater area, the national park regulations have imposed strict controls on development in the town, where there are no paved roads (everywhere is sand), no buildings over two floors and street lighting is forbidden. This certainly provides the place with a unique, shaggy and rather laid-back feel.

Having said that, the town has grown considerably and now contains a huge range of stores, bars, restaurants, guest-houses and nightclubs. It also has some slightly more developed infrastructure, including mains electricity and proper sewerage systems, which is a blessing.

Jericoacoara is often described as having a “refreshingly uncommercial atmosphere”, which enables you to “escape the crowds”. Whilst that may have been true in years gone by, it is certainly not the case today. There may be a refreshing absence of large commercial hotels and businesses, but there is plenty of small-scale commerce and lots of visitors. These days the main reason to visit would be to join in the vibrant and friendly social scene.

Jericoacoara is essentially the modern version of the backpacker beaches of days gone by, with that same easy atmosphere, but with upgraded facilities, making it suitable for a wider range of visitors.

The best time to visit the Fortaleza area is generally considered to be during the Aug-Jan dry season.

This coastline is classified as having a tropical wet and dry climate, with two clearly defined seasons …

Aug-Jan : dry season

During the Aug-Jan dry season the daytime temperatures are relatively high at around 29C/84F, whilst the nighttime low temperatures hold up around 24C/75F. However the rainfall is relatively light, at around 25mm (1”) per month. Sunshine is around 9 hours per day (around 80% of daylight hours), which is very high.

Throughout the period Jul-Nov the area usually experiences strong and reliable winds, providing ideal conditions for windsurfing, kite-surfing and sailing.

Feb-Jul : rainy season

During the Mar-Jul rainy season the daytime temperatures are marginally higher at around 30C/86F, as are the nighttime low temperatures at around 25C/77F. The rainfall is very high, at around 300mm (12”) per month. Sunshine remains up around 7 hours per day (around 60% of daylight hours), so there is usually at least some cloud around (especially during Feb-Apr).

Getting there

The city of Fortaleza is served by Pinto Martins International Airport (FOR), which has direct flight connections to Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Salvador and Manaus.

From the airport it is a road transfer of around 4 hours northwest to Jericoacoara.

Where to stay

When visiting this area it is usual to choose just one place to stay (usually in Jericoacoara) and explore from there.

of peripheral interest to most international visitors