BEACHES & THE SUN
Fortaleza | Natal | Maceió | Rio de Janeiro | Recife

FORTALEZA
Services | Tours | Map

JangadaThe capital city of the state of Ceará, Fortaleza is known for its beautiful beaches like Canoa Quebrada, and Jericoacoara, the year-round sunshine, soft breeze and rich handicraft. It is home for the best lacemakers of Brazil. Sand dunes enhance the coastline of Fortaleza and surroundings from where you can watch the constant arrival and departure of the colorful sails of the ‘jangadas’ (photo left), fishing rafts typical from this region of the country. Buggy rides on the dunes, at Cumbuco beach; or sliding down a water ‘tobogã’ at Beach Park resort in Porto das Dunas, are just two of the many attractions of Fortaleza, not including a visit to nearby scenic Ubajara Grotto and the Pe. Cícero statue, among other interesting sites in the state.

SERVICES IN FORTALEZA

TRANSFER

From the International Airport to hotels, or vice-versa.

SPECIAL TOURS

Daily at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Approximate duration: 3 hours. This tour provides an overview of Fortaleza including Beira Mar Avenue, which is the main walkway of the local waterfront, Iracema's Monument, Mucuripe beach, the Old Light House, beach of the Future. It will also rides through the main residential and shopping areas of the city with stops at Marshall Castelo Branco's Memorial, the Cathedral and the Old Prison (nowadays handicraft center).

Daily at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Approximate duration: 4 hours. This tour combines the city tour as described above, and strategic stops for shopping at the Old Prison Tourism Center, the Central Market and the Tabosa Avenue. Ceara's lace and linen works are world famous. Local Indian handicraft is beautiful. Shopping in Fortaleza is a must.

Daily at 9:00 AM. Approximate duration: 6 hours. Located 22 km (14 miles) from downtown Fortaleza, this beautiful beach, trimmed with palm and coconut trees, offers many attractions. The Acqua Park watersports complex is unique in Brazil and is a playground for both adults and children. "Ultra Light" flights and buggy rides are available along the coastline and along the famous sand dunes.

Daily at 8:30AM. Approximate duration: 7 hours. Cumbuco is the most famous beach in the Fortaleza area due to its striking landscape of sand dunes against the clear green waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Distant 35 km, (22 miles) from downtown, it offers many attractions for the tourist. Buggy or horseback rides on the dunes are a must, passing by the Pamamirim Lake. Simple and rustic restaurants will make anyone feel like a native, enjoying the rich regional cuisine. Along the panoramic road, the tour will pass by Icaray and Tabuba beaches

Daily at 8:30 AM. Approximate duration: 7 hours. Morro Branco beach is located 80 km. (50 miles) from Fortaleza. It is famous for its colorful sands and beautiful landscape of dunes. The next stop is Iguape beach, where at rustic and simple restaurants one can enjoy the regional cuisine. This is the place to catch fresh lobster like a native. The tour includes a visit to the handicraft center on the beachfront. There will be enough time for relaxing strolls by the beach, as well as for swimming in the tepid green waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Typical
NATAL
Tours | Services

The capital city of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal has roughly 400,000 inhabitants. It started from a fortress built by the Portuguese in 1598 to fight the French invaders (Forte dos Reis Magos) and remained relatively small until the World War II, when the Allied Forces, recognizing its strategic location on the eastern bulge of Brazil, decided to turn the sleepy city into the Allied military base for their operations in North Africa. Natal is known for its endless beaches, being Genipabu the most famous, 30 km north of the city. Golden sand dunes, palm trees and dune buggies make this beach a must.

SERVICES IN NATAL

TRANSFER

From the Airport to hotels, or vice-versa.

SPECIAL TOURS

Daily at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Approximate duration: 3 hours. This tour gives an overview of Natal allowing the traveler to get acquainted with the past and present of the "sun city". It includes a visit to the Forte dos Reis Magos (The Three Wise Kings Fort), the urban beaches, the Câmara Cascudo Memorial, Via Costeira Avenue and Ponta Negra beach.

Daily at 9:00 AM. Approximate duration: 6 hours. A scenic ride along the northern coastline of Natal will lead to Genipabu beach, 30 Km (19 miles) away from downtown. Magnificent buggy rides will reveal coconut groves, inlets and the peaceful lake of Pitangui. Fun and emotion sliding down the giant dunes at Genipabu beach will make this an unforgettable experience.

Daily at 9:00 AM. Approximate duration: 6 hours. A scenic ride about 40 km (25 miles) south of Natal to the beaches of Coronel, Búzios and Pirangi, the most beautiful beaches of that region. Ample time for swimming, sunbathing and sailing on local boats to dive into the warm, limpid waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby Pirangi beach is the world's largest cashew tree - half kilometer in circumference and still growing.

Daily at 9.00 AM. Approximate duration: 6 hours. A 40 km (19 miles) ride north of River Potengi and Natal, to the exuberant panorama revealed in a buggy ride through the lakes and dunes of the beaches of Redinha (with a good view of Natal), Santa Rita, Genipabu, Jacumã and Muriú. Ample time for swimming and sunbathing.

Daily at 7:00 PM. Approximate duration: 5:30 hours. Gentleness and enchantment in displays of popular culture. Folkloric show with regional typical dances, in a happy and relaxed atmosphere. At the end of the show, visitors are invited to join in a Forró (local popular dance) and to enjoy a typical popular ball.

MACEIÓ
Tours | Services | View

Capital city of the small state of Alagoas, it is one of the pleasant surprises of the Northeastern Brazil. Located 259 km from Recife, Maceió with a population of approximately 500,000 inhabitants, is a relaxed, modern city, with beaches of calm, emerald waters protected by coral reefs. The small town of Penedo is a colonial masterpiece of the State of Alagoas with the fascinating culture of the São Francisco River.

SERVICES IN MACEIÓ

TRANSFER

From the International Airport to hotels, or vice-versa.

Daily at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Approximate duration: 3 hours. This tour offers an overview of Maceió including the downtown area, the Cathedral of Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres (Our Lady of Pleasures), the State Senate, Jaragua District. A stop at the belvedere of São Gonçalo and Santa Terezinha will allow for beautiful panoramic photographs of the city. The tour also includes a stop at the Pontal da Barra handicraft center, as well as a scenic ride along the main beaches: Cruz das Almas, Jatiúca, Pajuçara, Avenida and Sobral.

Daily at 9:00 AM. Approximate duration: 4 hours. Heading South of Maceió along the main city beaches, Salgema Chemical Industry and Ilha de Santa Rita, where the houses of lake-dwellers can be seen, the tour arrives at the historical city of Marechal Deodoro, ancient Capital of Alagoas . Visits include the house where the founder of the Brazilian Republic, Marshall Deodoro da Fonseca, was bom, the São Francisco Convent, the Sacred Art Museum, and Santa Madalena Church. Also included are visits to the churches of Amparo, Nossa Senhora da Conceição and the town hall. Leaving the town of Marechal Deodoro, the tour proceeds to the Frances beach and to Barra de São Miguel. There will be ample time for swimming and relaxing on the beach at both places.

Daily at 9:00 AM. Approximate Duration: 4 hours. A leisurely ride to the North along beautiful beaches trimmed with coconut trees including Jacarecica, Guaxumã, Garça Torta, Riacho Doce (where de famous writer José Lins do Rego wrote his novel), Pratagy (known as the Mermaid Beach), Ipioca, Paripoeira, stopping at Sonho Verde restaurant for a swim and sunbathing.

Lunch is not included

Daily at 8:00 AM (On request). Approximate duration: 12 hours. A panoramic ride to the South will lead to the beautiful lower São Francisco River region, where Penedo  is located, 180 Km (113 miles) from Maceió. The visit to this baroque jewel of the Northeast of Brazil includes the Nossa Senhora dos Anjos Convent, the Churches of São Gonçalo and of Nossa Senhora das Correntes. Penedo, sitting on a rise above the Sao Francisco river, means great rock. It bustles with people from the smaller villages up and down the river who come to sell and buy. These people of the São Francisco have a unique and rich history and culture translated into its typical handicraft. Lunch is not included.

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