{"code":"FOR","iata":"FOR","name":"Fortaleza","urlName":"fortaleza","description":"<p><strong>Fortaleza</strong>&nbsp;is the state capital of Cear&aacute;, located in Northeastern Brazil. It belongs to the Metropolitan mesoregion of Fortaleza and microregion of Fortaleza. Located 2285&nbsp;km (1420 miles) from Brasilia, the federal capital, the city has developed on the banks of the creek Paje&uacute;, and its name is an allusion to Fort Schoonenborch, which gave rise to the city, built by the Dutch during their second stay in the area between 1649 and 1654. The motto of Fortaleza, present in its coat of arms is the Latin word <em>Fortitudine</em>, which means &quot;with strength/courage&quot;.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>In 2013, Fortaleza was the twelfth richest city in the country in GDP and second in the Northeast, with 49 billion reais (US$21 billion). It also has the third richest metropolitan area in the North and Northeast regions. It is an important industrial and commercial center of Brazil, the eighth nation&#39;s largest municipal purchasing power. According to the Ministry of Tourism, the city reached the marks of second most desired destination of Brazil and fourth Brazilian city that receives more tourists. The BR-116, the most important highway of the country, starts in Fortaleza. The municipality is part of the Common Market of Mercosur Cities, and also the Brazilian capital which is closest to Europe, 5608&nbsp;km (3484 miles) from Lisbon, Portugal.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>To the north of the city lies the Atlantic Ocean; to the south are the municipalities of Pacatuba, Eus&eacute;bio, Maracana&uacute; and Itaitinga; to the east is the municipality of Aquiraz and the Atlantic Ocean; and to the west is the municipality of Caucaia. Residents of the city are known as <em>Fortalezenses</em>. Fortaleza is one of the three leading cities in the Northeast region together with Recife and Salvador.</p>\r\n\r\n<p>The city was one of the host cities of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.</p>\r\n","whatToSee":"<div>Quite an effort has been put into restoring colonial architecture over the last years. Still there is no area that is completely \"clean\", but the stretch from the beachfront of ''Praia de Iracema'', via ''Dragão do Mar'' and to ''Praça do Ferreira'' is steadily improving and worth a walk.</div><div>*'''History Train'''[http://www.bnb.gov.br/content/aplicacao/Centro_Cultural/Trem_da_Historia/gerados/trem_da_hist_apres.asp] and '''Step-by-Step History'''[http://www.bnb.gov.br/content/aplicacao/Centro_Cultural/Historia_Passo_a_Passo/gerados/hist_passo_a_passo_apres.asp] are two '''free tours''' offered on alternating Saturdays in the city centre. Show up at ''Banco do Nordeste'', Rua Floriano Peixoto 941, at 1:15 PM. Both last about 3 hours. Basic Portuguese is a must.</div><div>*'''Praça do Ferreira''' is the main city square, with stores, restaurants, a movie theater and plenty of benches.</div><div>*'''Praça José de Alencar''' has plenty of greenery and is the place to catch the city's best street performers.</div><div>*'''Theatro José de Alencar'''[http://theatrojosedealencar.blogspot.com/] on the south side of the above square. The architectural landmark of the city, finished in 1912, has performances almost every evening. Visits every hour on the hour, except noon. R$ 4, 30 minutes.</div><div>* The '''Drag&amp;atilde;o do Mar'''[http://www.dragaodomar.org.br/] culture center, opened in 1999, has an art museum, a library, a cinema and surrounding [[Fortaleza#Drink|nightlife]].</div><div>* '''Museu de Arte e Cultura Popular''', Rua Senador Pompeu 350, centre. Located in an old prison, now the '''Centro de Turismo''', along with a handicraft market and a tourist information. Displays many fine examples of folk art as well as boats and other cultural relics.</div><div>*'''The sunset''', either from Ponte Metalica, Praia Iracema, or the beach by the fish market, Mucuripe.</div><div>* '''Parque Ecologico do Cocó''', the city's largest green area, near the ''Iguatemi''-mall. No lawns, but a nice walk in the woods.</div><div>*'''Cathedral''', city centre. The closer you get, the worse it looks, with a parking lot and all. But it still has nice mosaics. French architect George Mounier allegedly was inspired by the [[Cologne]] cathedral. Note the 40 year span between the initial works and the inaugural mass, above the main entrance.</div><div>* '''Museu do Ceará''', Rua Sao Paulo 51, one block north of Pr. do Ferreira, centre. In a late 19th-century seat of state government. Explains the history of the state of Ceará and its capital. Free entry.</div><div>* &lt;listing name=\"Museu do Automóvel\" alt=\"Veteran Car Club do Brasil\" address=\"Rua Desembargador Manuel Sales Andrade 70\" directions=\"Walk some 7 blocks up Av. Cel. Miguel Dias from Shopping Iguatemi's main entrance, then turn right.\" phone=\"+55 85 3273 3129\" url=\"http://www.museudoautomovelce.com.br/\" hours=\"9-12, 14-17, closed Mondays and Sunday afternoons.\" price=\"R$ 7\" lat=\"\" long=\"\" email=\"\" fax=\"\"&gt;Some 60 cars on display, mostly of US make, ranging from 1917 to 1995(!). Notably two funeral cars from the 30's.&lt;/listing&gt;</div><div>*&lt;see name=\"Estoril\" alt=\"\" address=\"Rua dos Tabajaras 397, Praia de Iracema\" directions=\"Near Pirata Bar\" phone=\"\" url=\"\" hours=\"\" price=\"\" lat=\"\" long=\"\"&gt;This mansion, built in 1925 as '''Vila Morena''', and later used as a casino, a restaurant(when its current name was applied) and a rather political bar, is of peculiar architecture. It was virtually rebuilt in the 90's, and is undergoing another refurbishment to be used for public cultural arrangements.&lt;/see&gt;</div><div>*&lt;see name=\"Mercado dos Pinhões\" alt=\"\" address=\"Praça Visconde de Pelotas, Praia de Iracema\" directions=\"Two blocks inland from the shops at Rua Monsenhor Tabosa\" phone=\"\" url=\"\" hours=\"\" price=\"\" lat=\"\" long=\"\"&gt;This former meat market was imported piece by piece from Europe and set up in 1897. Refurbished and now used as a handicrafts fair.&lt;/see&gt;</div><div>*&lt;see name=\"Mini Siará\" alt=\"Museu de Miniaturas\" address=\"Rua José Avelino 250\" directions=\"Right off Dragão do Mar\" phone=\"\" url=\"\" hours=\"Tue - Sat 2 PM - 5 PM\" price=\"R$ 5\" lat=\"\" long=\"\"&gt;More cute than really interesting, this tiny museum has about 25 scale models of Fortaleza's colonial buildings, and also a couple of scale landscapes.&lt;/see&gt;</div><div><br></div>\n                            \n                        ","whatToDo":"<div>The monthly listing ''Olheiro'' can be found in the receptions of most large hotels.</div><div>===Urban beaches===</div><div>{{infobox|Beach Worries|Souvenirs and clothing is cheaper and more varied at the [[Fortaleza#Buy|Feirinha]] or [[Fortaleza#Buy|Mercado Central]].</div><div><br></div><div>There are a couple of locals (although they will sometimes tell you otherwise) that speak some English who approach tourists on the beaches being very helpful. In the end they are not. They want your money, -watch out!}}&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>There are two nice city beaches, '''Praia de Iracema''' and '''Meireles'''. Some people discourage bathing here, although they are mostly rated green by authorities[http://www.semace.ce.gov.br/servicos/praias/]. The whole stretch from the ''Ponte Metálica'' (aka ''Ponte Inglesa'') pier to the fish market is paralleled by the ''Avenida Beira Mar'', very nice for an evening stroll. A string of shacks line the beachfront, mostly good for drinking and people watching. Some of these, particularly when serving in the sand, have up to three different menus with varying prices. Sunbeds can be charged up to R$ 30 a day, although the real price is R$ 3-5. A selection listed from west (''Praia de Iracema'') to east (Fish market):</div><div>*'''Babagula''', more sandwiches, playground for children. '''Subway''' is cohabiting.</div><div>*'''Satéhut''', Dutch run with some Indonesian on the menu. Clean toilet!</div><div>*'''Veraneio''', the hedges protect you!</div><div>*'''Joca''', Gay.</div><div>*'''Beira Mar Grill''', decent food.</div><div>*'''Volta da Jurema''', near Othon Palace. Nice sunset.</div><div>*'''G2''', a notch cheaper than the rest.</div><div><br></div><div>The most attractive urban beach is '''Praia do Futuro''', about 5 km ([[Fortaleza#Stay_safe|unsafe]] to walk) from ''Meireles''. Windy, with rather strong currents and undertows, swimming can be a challenge, but for a dip it's fine. Some 150(!) beach shacks, here a selection from north (closest to Beira Mar) to south, with their special features:</div><div>* '''Marulhos'''. Reggae music and good food. Try the '''escondidinho'''.</div><div>* '''Croco Beach'''. Plenty gringos. \"After Beach\" with live music on Sundays, sunset to eightish, no forro! Taxi drivers get a R$ 2 commission for each head they land here, -get a discount on the fare!</div><div>* '''Sorriso do Sol'''. Reggae and cannabis.</div><div>* '''Vira Verão'''. Young Brazilian crowd. If you're lucky, you'll get a table.</div><div>* '''Vila Galé'''. Belongs to the hotel. Perhaps the neatest appearance, definitely the most expensive!</div><div>* '''Chico do Carangueijo'''. Clean, popular, good food, specializing in crab, sometimes live music.&nbsp;</div><div>* '''Côco Beach''' and '''Boa Vida'''. Mainly foreigners and their crew, live forro.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>At the very end of ''Praia do Futuro'' its name changes to '''Caça e Pesca'''. Freshwater swimming in a strong current where the river ''Cocò'' meets the ocean.</div><div><br></div><div>===Surfing===</div><div>There is good surfing on the beaches, and frequent competitions at ''Praia do Futuro''.</div><div><br></div><div>* &lt;do name=\"Chandler Surf\" alt=\"\" address=\"411 Rua 24 de Maio\" directions=\"\" phone=\"+55 85 8803-4487\" email=\"chandler@chandlersurf.com.br\" fax=\"\" url=\"http://chandlersurf.com.br\" hours=\"\" price=\"\"&gt;is a surf school working at ''Meireles'' Wednesday - Sunday afternoons, R$ 17-35 an hour, including board rent.&lt;/do&gt;</div><div><br></div><div>* &lt;do name=\"Aldeia Surf School\" alt=\"\" address=\"\" directions=\"\" phone=\"+55 85 9444-7496 / 8610-4092\" email=\"aldeia_surf_escola@hotmail.com\" fax=\"\" url=\"\" hours=\"\" price=\"\"&gt;Offers surf lessons and surf trips every day of the week. Based at [[Fortaleza#Sleep|Hotel Vila Galé]]. &lt;/do&gt;</div><div><br></div><div>===Kite and Wind Surfing===</div><div>Good conditions most of the year, with winds up to 40 knots.</div><div>*&lt;do name=\"Windzen\" alt=\"\" address=\"Praia do Futuro\" directions=\"Next to Vira Verao\" phone=\"\" url=\"http://www.windzen.com\" hours=\"\" price=\"\" lat=\"\" long=\"\"&gt;Equipment (Naish dealer) and classes. Helpful with info about out-of-town spots.&lt;/do&gt;</div><div>===Schooner cruises===</div><div>A couple of motorized schooners and a catamaran do similar 2 hour cruises along the city beaches at R$ 30 per person, setting out daily at 10:00 and 16:00 from near the ''Iracema''-statue, where they also have their ticket booths. The latter time is better, as you get the sunset. Bring swim-gear. Minimum of ten people required- often cancelled in the low season.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Another schooner takes you all the way to Cumbuco at 09:00, lands you for lunch and has buses you back to Fortaleza before 5 PM. R$ 130.</div><div><br></div><div>===Golf===</div><div>The nearest golf club is in neighbouring [[Iguape]], some 30 minutes by car from ''Beira Mar''.</div><div><br></div><div>===Cinemas===</div><div>* Shopping Aldeota [http://www.shoppingaldeota.com.br/cinema.asp] and Shopping Del Paseo[http://www.arcoiriscinemas.com.br/] are walking distance from ''Beira Mar'', along ''Av. Desembargador Moreira''.</div><div>* The largest complex is at the [[Fortaleza#Buy|Iguatemi]]-mall, with some 12 showrooms mostly displaying the latest [http://www.ucicinemas.com.br/portal_2007/programacao/programacao_interna.asp?cinema=10 fare] from Hollywood.&nbsp;</div><div>* At [[Fortaleza#See|Dragão do Mar]][http://www.unibancocinemas.com.br/em_cartaz/fortaleza/] there's a more alternative selection.</div><div><br></div><div>===Festivals===</div><div>* '''Ceará Music'''[http://www.cearamusic.com.br] Brazilian rock, pop and techno during three days in October by the hotel ''Marina Park''. About R$ 40 per night.</div><div><br></div><div>* '''Fortal''' [http://www.fortal.com.br] Fortaleza´s [[Salvador]]-style out-of-season carnival (allegedly the largest in Brazil) kicks off in a purpose-built area near ''Praia do Futuro''. Direct buses from the ''Papicu'' terminal. Thursday - Saturday from dusk till dawn. End of July.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>* '''Vida e Arte''' [http://www.veraovidaearte.com.br/] A range of Brazilian music and other performances. January.</div><div>* Although '''carnival''' here is rather dull, the city's ''pré-carnaval'' is a major happening, all the way from New Year until the real thing starts in February or March. Several venues, the most accessible at ''Dragão do mar'' Saturdays from 3 PM.</div><div>* The local '''Gay Parade''', officially named ''Parada pela Diversidade Sexual de Fortaleza'', happens along ''Beira Mar'' on the last Sunday of June</div><div><br></div>\n                            \n                        ","whatToBuy":"<div>The state of Ceará has a large textile industry, and arguably the '''cheapest clothing''' in Brazil. Also the '''capital of hammocks''', varieties of which can be found ranging from less than R$ 10 to more than R$ 100. Best place to buy is the range of small shops opposite the cathedral, city centre.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>There are '''handicraft''' shops all around the city, but the best places to go are the '''Feirinha da Beira Mar''' (Beach front fair, daily about 4 PM - 10 PM) and the '''Mercado Central'''[http://www.mercadocentraldefortaleza.com.br/] (Near the cathedral). These places have a large number of stalls and shops, and competition drives prices down.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>* There is a very convenient ''Pão de Açucar'' round-the-clock '''supermarket''' by the intersection of ''Av. Abolição'' and ''Av. Desembargador Moreira''. Although more expensive than most other shops, it has a good selection of groceries, including many imports, and also some fresh foods. Fresh sandwiches and pizzas until 8 PM.</div><div>* For a true abundance of '''fruits and vegetables''', in addition to meat, fish and whatever else you could think of for your kitchen, visit ''Mercado São Sebastião'', at the east end of ''Av. Bezerra de Menezes'', 4 blocks south and 5 west of ''Praça José de Alencar'' in the centre. The earlier you arrive, the greater the variety.</div><div>* &lt;buy name=\"Sebo O Geraldo\" alt=\"\" address=\"Rua 24 de Maio 950, Centro\" directions=\"Three blocks south from Praça José de Alencar\" phone=\"+55 85 3226 2557\" email=\"\" fax=\"\" url=\"\" hours=\"\" price=\"About R$ 5 for a paperback\"&gt;Behind a modest façade there is a vast selection of used books, including hundreds of titles in English (although much outdated) and a little something in many other languages.&lt;/buy&gt;</div><div>* &lt;buy name=\"Livaria Cultura\" alt=\"\" address=\"Av. Dom Luís, 1010 - Meireles\"&nbsp; ?</div><div>phone=\"+55 (85)4008-0800\" url=\"livrariacultura.com.br\" directions=\"Just west of the football and volleyball courts on Beira Mar, go south for approx. 5 minutes down Ibapina and Távora st. it'll be on a large building on your left - second floor.\"&gt; Has about 100 high quality (albeit somewhat pricy) English books, as well as an abundance in other languages, but mainly in puertogese. This is the biggest (and according to a local friend the best) bookshop in town.&lt;/buy&gt;&nbsp;</div><div>* '''Shopping Iguatemi'''[http://www.iguatemifortaleza.com.br/] The largest mall in Fortaleza and one of the best. Everything from C&amp;A, to Zoompe and Lacoste. A huge 24-hour supermarket, large food court and the biggest cinema in town.</div><div>* '''Shopping Aldeota'''[http://www.shoppingaldeota.com.br] On ''Praça Portugal'', seven blocks from ''Beira Mar'', with a cinema.</div><div>* '''Shopping Del Passeo'''[http://www.shoppingdelpaseo.com.br/] Near Shopping Aldeota, with a cinema.</div><div>&lt;buy name=\"\" alt=\"\" address=\"\" directions=\"\" phone=\"\" url=\"\" hours=\"\" price=\"\" lat=\"\" long=\"\"&gt;&lt;/buy&gt;</div><div><br></div>\n                            \n                        ","whatToEat":"<div>The best concentration of restaurants in town is found in the ''Varjota'' neighbourhood, especially along ''Rua Fredrico Borges'' and its side streets, starting some five blocks inland from ''Beira Mar''.</div><div><br></div><div>Thursday is crab day in Fortaleza, especially in the many shacks at Praia do Futuro.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div>\n                            \n                        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