Aquiraz: sandy beaches and water fun
Leave the city of Fortaleza via highway CE-040 and you will hit the beach in no time. Only 30 kilometres outside of the city lies the village of Aquiraz. The village's small colonial centre is worth a visit and a great excuse to check out two lovely sandy beaches: Prainha and Iguape. For families with children the biggest attraction is the Beach Park. The largest water park in South America boasts 4 hotels, numerous restaurants, a spa, 7.7 million litres of water, 18 exciting attractions, and of course a beach! Definitely more than enough for a fun-filled day of water play – children of all ages will have a splashing good time.
The red Martian landscape of Morro Branco
From Aquiraz it's a 50-kilometre drive to Beberibe. The coast west of Fortaleza is famous for its impressive sand dunes, but this particular stretch is dotted with rugged red sandstone cliffs. The number one attraction of Beberibe is the paradise beach of Morro Branco. In addition to sun, sea, sand and chilled coconuts, the area is known for a unique natural phenomenon: the Labirinto de Falésias, a maze of red cliffs eroded by wind and weather. A stroll through this small canyon is like a walk on Mars. Guides are ready to take you on a tour (for a small fee), but you can easily explore on your own.
Laid-back hippie town: Canoa Quebrada
From Beberibe it takes you another 80 kilometres to reach Aracati. This city also has a small historic city centre, with Portuguese mansions and hand-painted azulejos (murals made of decorated tiles). Nearby lies the final destination and tropical highlight of this road trip: Canoa Quebrada. Despite its growing popularity, this small hippie village still exudes a laid-back vibe. The main street Broadway is a long string of outdoor cafés, bars and restaurants that stay open until the early hours of the morning. We highly recommend spending the night here. Don't expect to find major hotels; small, charming pousadas (bed and breakfasts) are the norm here.