Fortaleza

Fortaleza is a big, sprawling city on Brazil's northeast coast, capital of the state of Ceará. The beachfront stretches for kilometres, with Praia de Iracema and Praia do Futuro being the most visited. The city is known for its forró music culture, which you'll hear in bars and clubs along the waterfront. The cruise terminal is modern and close enough to the Praia de Iracema area to reach by taxi in a few minutes. The Mercado Central has stalls selling cashew nuts, cachaça, hammocks and leather goods, all produced locally. The Centro Dragão do Mar de Arte e Cultura is a cultural complex with galleries and performance spaces in a renovated waterfront area. Beach Park, a large waterpark about 25 kilometres south, draws families. The local beach drink is a cold coconut, cracked open at your chair. Traffic is heavy and the city is best navigated by taxi or ride app rather than on foot.