Best things to do in Canoa Quebrada beach, Ceará (Brazil)
Canoa Quebrada beach is one of the main tourist destinations in Ceará, a beautiful state in Northeast Brazil. As it is close to its capital city, Fortaleza (approximately 160 kilometers), many people just go there on a day tour. I don’t recommend it, though. There are many cool things to do in Canoa Quebrada and surroundings, so if you can, spend at least two nights there.
As a Brazilian who has been traveling full-time around the country for quite a while, I say this is quite a special place. You might have heard about it because of the great winds for kitesurfing, and that is indeed one of the attractions of this region, but there is much more to see and do.
In this article I will give you several tips on what to do in Canoa Quebrada. First, I will explain how to get there, when to go and where to stay. At the end of the article, I will also suggest an itinerary for a 3-day trip. Enjoy!
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Planning a trip to Canoa Quebrada beach, Ceará
The best time to go to Canoa Quebrada
The good thing about traveling to the Northeast region of Brazil is that there is no winter: at any time of year, the weather will be hot. But you must pay attention to the rainy season, as this could impact your trip.
The best time to go to Canoa Quebrada is between July and December, which coincides with the dry season. The first half of the year is considered the rainy season, so the chance of getting mostly clear days with lots of sunshine is reduced. But this is also a matter of luck: I went there in June, and it didn’t rain at all.
How long should you stay in Canoa Quebrada?
Canoa Quebrada is a beach in the city of Aracati, a small and quiet village on the coast of Ceará. In my opinion, you should spend at least three days there. On one day you can explore Canoa Quebrada itself, the next day you visit the nearby beaches and on the third day you are free to rest and enjoy the beach.
The restaurants and bars on Canoa Quebrada become very busy on weekends and in high season. It’s worth spending at least one night there to enjoy the nightlife.
How to get to Canoa Quebrada beach
Bus
The cheapest and most practical way to reach Canoa Quebrada beach is by bus, departing from Fortaleza. The bus takes you to the village of Canoa Quebrada and the company that runs this route is called Viação São Benedito. There are different departure times daily. Currently, the ticket costs R$40 (Brazilian Reals).
Plane
There is an airport in the city of Aracati, but there are not many flights, and they are quite expensive. In case you do want to fly directly to Aracati airport, just take a taxi to Canoa Quebrada (on average R$60) or a van (R$10) that leaves from Igreja Matriz and goes to the village of Canoa.
Car
Another option is to rent a car. The road to Canoa Quebrada is good and it’s easy to access the village. It’s a great way to see the entire region on your own, with more independence. And if you are in a group of 3 or 4 people, it’s also an economical choice.
Day tour
As I said before, I don’t think a day tour is enough to get to know Canoa Quebrada. But if you are short on time, many travel agencies offer the “3 beaches in 1 day” tour leaving from Fortaleza and passing through Morro Branco, Canoa Quebrada and Praia das Fontes. You can also do a 1-day trip solely to Canoa.
Where to stay in Canoa Quebrada
Choosing where to stay in Canoa Quebrada isn’t hard, because the village is small and most accommodations are close to Dragão do Mar street, better known as Broadway. There are all types of accommodation in Canoa Quebrada beach, from simple hostels to luxury hotels.
If you prefer a more peaceful stay, there are also options further away from the center. For a truly relaxing vibe, staying in Porto Canoa beach, 5 km away from the main beach of Canoa Quebrada, is a good choice. There are only five streets on this beach and no type of commerce; It is a more isolated and completely peaceful place both during the day and at night.
To choose your accommodation, check out the article I wrote with tips on where to stay in Canoa Quebrada.
Best things to do in Canoa Quebrada, Ceará
Canoa Quebrada is a place of surprising beauty. The dunes, the red cliffs, the wooden walkways and the sea form an enchanting setting. Just admiring the landscape is already a very enjoyable experience.
For those who like adrenaline, there are also several things to do in Canoa Quebrada, such as paragliding, kitesurfing and raft and buggy rides.
Canoa Quebrada symbol
You’ll be able to see the famous Canoa Quebrada symbol (a moon and a star) at various points on the beach. But the “official” one is about a mile from the end of the so-called Broadway, walking south along the beach. You can walk there, take photos at the symbol, and enjoy the day at the beach stalls in the area.
Enjoy Canoa Quebrada Beach
There are several attractions in the region, but one of the best things to do in Canoa Quebrada is simply enjoy a day at the beach. There are many options of beach stalls, from the simplest to the super refined. Set aside at least one day to get your feet in the sand and relax.
Climb the cliffs and walk the walkway
Walking on the walkway on top of the cliffs is a classic activity in Canoa Quebrada, as simple as enjoyable. The view from the top is incredible, with the ocean joining the blue sky, white dunes and red cliffs.
Enjoy the night on “Broadway”
Another suggestion of what to do in Canoa Quebrada, as I already mentioned, is to enjoy the night on Broadway (Dragão do Mar street). On weekends and during high season, the flow of people on the city’s busiest street increases considerably. Bars and restaurants are full and there are lots of people walking and having fun in the streets.
On Broadway you will also find souvenir shops, markets, pharmacies, ATMs, etc.
Visit the beaches of Morro Branco and Fontes
If you have a free day, take a trip to the beaches of Morro Branco and Fontes. They are beautiful and almost deserted beaches. At Morro Branco Beach there is a natural labyrinth of cliffs which I find very beautiful. You can walk inside it and admire the different shapes and sand colors.
The trip to Praia das Fontes is also really cool. The name of the place (which literally translates as “Beach of the Sources”) is due to the several freshwater sources that form in the middle of the cliffs. The water comes out so clean that you can drink it!
Buggy ride
There are several buggy tour itineraries in Canoa Quebrada, from quick ones that last only one hour to others that can take the whole day. For example, you can go to Ponta Grossa, on the border with the neighboring state of Rio Grande do Norte. Or stop at lagoons where you can do ziplining and sand skiing. Whatever you decide, ask the buggy driver to end the day at Duna do Pôr do Sol (Sunset Dune).
Duna do Pôr do Sol
It isn’t hard to reach the Sunset Dune on foot: any alley on Broadway leads there. By car, access is a little complicated, but you can park at the entrance to the village and walk up the opposite side.
The sunset there is truly a spectacle and worth all the effort of climbing the dunes. Beware that it’s a simple place; you won’t find restaurants or any type of commerce. It’s just people gathered to admire the view, which I find super nice.
Raft ride or horseback riding
The raft ride is a great thing to do in Canoa Quebrada when the sea is calm. It lasts half an hour and goes out to sea for approximately 2 kilometers. You can see marine life up close and, if you dare, dive into the deep, crystal-clear waters.
If you prefer a different activity away from the sea, horseback riding is a great choice. It starts at the beach and goes to the dunes and lagoons. The route is done with an experienced guide and the tour is available for all ages.
Practice kitesurfing
The Canoa Quebrada region is well known for its strong winds, which together with the calm sea make it a very suitable environment for kitesurfing. On the beachfront, there is a school with classes for beginners and equipment rental for those who already know how to sail.
Paragliding flights
If you enjoy adrenaline, another exciting thing to do in Canoa Quebrada is a paragliding flight, where a professional always goes along. Instructors are located at the observation deck in the central church square at the end of Broadway.
Itinerary in Canoa Quebrada: 3 days and 2 nights
If you like to have everything planned so as not to waste time, I will suggest a day-by-day itinerary option:
1st day
Morning: Arrival in Canoa Quebrada
Afternoon: Buggy ride to Ponta Grossa or the Lagoons with sunset at Duna do Pôr do Sol
Night: Broadway (Dragão do Mar street)
2nd day
Morning: Tour to Fontes and Morro Branco Beaches
Afternoon: Go kitesurfing, paragliding or horseback riding, or go on a raft tour
Night: Broadway
3rd day
Morning: Walk along the walkway over the cliffs and go to the Canoa Quebrada symbol on the beach
Afternoon: Have lunch in one of the beach stalls on Canoa Quebrada beach and enjoy the beach without rushing
Evening: Departure
Do you have any questions about the best things to do in Canoa Quebrada? Leave it in the comments section. Bon voyage!
Article written by Bárbara Nicoli, full-time traveler and contributor to the Janelas Abertas blog.
Photos: Unsplash/Creative Commons and Barbara Nicoli (provided for publication on Janelas Abertas)
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