The 22 Most Beautiful Beaches in Ceará

Whether it’s a holiday trip or a long weekend, the beaches of Ceará offer idyllic settings, good facilities and activities to suit all tastes.

We’ve picked out the 22 most beautiful beaches in Ceará and the best beaches in the state for you to include in your itinerary.

The charm of Ceará’s beaches

Ceará — known as Land of Light — boasts beaches with white sand and turquoise waters, with a pleasant climate practically all year round. The capital, Fortaleza, is an excellent base from which to explore the coastline.

Fortaleza: comfort and the beach

Fortaleza offers city beaches with extensive facilities — beach huts, restaurants and nightlife — ideal for those who want comfort without losing touch with nature.

Mapa das Praias de Fortaleza CE — Map of the Beaches in Fortaleza, Ceará

Characteristics of the coastlines of Ceará

The coastline of Ceará has two striking features:

East Coast: colourful cliffs and dramatic landscapes (e.g. Canoa Quebrada).
West Coast: stretches of dunes and quieter, less crowded beaches.

Mapa do litoral do Ceará — Map of the Ceará coastline

Why visit the beaches of Ceará?

The beaches of Ceará combine natural beauty, local culture and leisure activities. Main attractions:

Dunes and cliffs: Geological formations that offer buggy rides, sandboarding and great photo opportunities.

Clear, warm waters: Warm, crystal-clear waters, ideal for swimming and water sports for most of the year.

Steady winds: Strong winds between July and December make Ceará a top destination for kitesurfing and windsurfing — highlights include Cumbuco, Jericoacoara and Praia do Preá.

Lakes and rivers: Lakes such as those at Jijoca and Paracuru offer more options for swimming and leisure activities.

Unspoilt landscapes: Areas such as Jericoacoara and Icaraí de Amontada boast well-maintained stretches of coastline, perfect for those seeking to get back to nature.

Tourism infrastructure: From fully equipped beach huts at Praia do Futuro to rustic guesthouses on secluded beaches, there’s something for everyone.

Local culture: Seafood cuisine, traditional festivals and handicrafts (e.g. bobbin lace) make for an enriching visit.

Scenic beauty: From the hustle and bustle of the city to deserted beaches: diverse landscapes and unforgettable sunsets, such as in Jericoacoara.

Clima: A semi-arid tropical climate, with average temperatures between 26°C and 30°C; rainfall is concentrated between February and May and is generally brief.

Discover Ceará’s 22 idyllic beaches

Praia do Futuro in Fortaleza
Meireles Beach in Fortaleza
Iracema Beach in Fortaleza
Mucuripe Beach in Fortaleza
Sabiaguaba Beach in Fortaleza
Porto das Dunas in Aquiraz
Prainha in Aquiraz
Fontes Beach in Beberibe
Cumbuco Beach in Caucaia
Barra do Cauipe Beach – Cumbuco
Caponga Beach in Cascavel
Águas Belas Beach in Cascavel
Morro Branco in Beberibe
Canoa Quebrada in Aracati
Ponta Grossa Beach in Aracati
Lagoinha Beach in Paraipaba
Jericoacoara in Jijoca de Jericoacoara
Lagoa do Paraíso and Lagoa Azul in Jijoca de Jericoacoara
Flecheiras Beach in Trairi
Guajiru Beach in Trairi
Mundaú Beach in Trairi
Tatajuba Beach in Camocim

Beaches in Fortaleza

Praia do Futuro em Fortaleza no Ceará02:37

Praia do Meireles em Fortaleza CE03:02

Praia de Iracema em Fortaleza02:35

Praia de Mucuripe em Fortaleza02:59

Praia de Sabiaguaba em Fortaleza03:12

Praia de Sabiaguaba em Fortaleza07:22

1. Praia do Futuro — Fortaleza

A long stretch of sand famous for its well-established beach huts (Crocobeach, Chico do Caranguejo) and lively beach life.

Best for: families, infrastructure and events
How to get there / note: easy access via a tarmac road from Fortaleza; lifeguard stations.

Praia do Futuro em Fortaleza — Praia do Futuro in Fortaleza

2. Meireles Beach — Fortaleza

An urban waterfront with a promenade and the traditional Beira-Mar Market; ideal for a stroll at sunset.

Best for: city walks, shopping and taking photos
How to get there / note: direct access to the seafront; a wide range of hotels.

Praia do Meireles em Fortaleza — Meireles Beach in Fortaleza

3. Iracema Beach — Fortaleza

A hub for culture and nightlife, featuring the Ponte dos Ingleses and nearby cultural centres.

Best for: culture, bars and events
How to get there / note: central location, easy access and good facilities.

Praia de Iracema em Fortaleza — Iracema Beach in Fortaleza

4. Mucuripe Beach — Fortaleza

A traditional area for small-scale fishing, with colourful fishing rafts and the Fish Market nearby.

Best for: food and photography
How to get there / note: easily accessible from the city centre; great for sampling seafood.

Praia do Mucuripe em Fortaleza — Mucuripe Beach in Fortaleza

5. Sabiaguaba Beach — Fortaleza

Where the Cocó River meets the sea, with mangroves and protected areas — a peaceful spot for nature watching.

Best for: ecotourism, kayaking and birdwatching
How to get there / note: accessible by road; basic infrastructure.

The best beaches around Fortaleza

Porto das Dunas em Aquiraz04:04

Prainha em Aquiraz02:03

Prainha em Aquiraz no Ceará05:31

Praia das Fontes em Beberibe03:01

Praia das Fontes em Beberibe03:40

Praia do Cumbuco em Caucaia06:47

Praia de Cumbuco em Caucaia02:18

Praia de Barra do Cauipe em Caucaia03:21

Praia da Caponga em Cascavel01:43

Praia da Caponga em Cascavel02:23

Praia de Águas Belas em Cascavel01:12

Praia de Águas Belas em Cascavel02:20

Praia de Morro Branco em Beberibe01:00

Lagoa e Barra do Cauipe em Caucaia04:04

6. Porto das Dunas — Aquiraz

The Beach Park area, featuring dunes and extensive tourist facilities for families.

Best for: families and water parks
How to get there / note: ~20 km from Fortaleza, via a tarmac road.

Praia Porto das Dunas no Ceará — Porto das Dunas Beach in Ceará

7. Prainha — Aquiraz

A quiet beach with a viewpoint and calm waters, ideal for relaxing near Porto das Dunas.

Best for: relaxation and bathing
How to get there / note: accessible via a tarmac road; can be combined with a visit to Beach Park.

8. Praia das Fontes — Beberibe

Cliffs with freshwater springs, caves and scenery along the Cliffs Route.

Best for: photography, hiking and buggy rides
How to get there / note: mixed access; a guided tour or buggy ride is recommended.

9. Cumbuco Beach — Caucaia

Dunes, lagoons and a world-renowned kitesurfing destination; good facilities, including schools and guesthouses.

Best for: kitesurfing, windsurfing and buggy
How to get there / note: ~30 km from Fortaleza; easily accessible via a tarmac road.

10. Lagoa and Barra do Cauipe — Caucaia / Cumbuco

Cauipe Lagoon, with calm waters ideal for beginners and excellent kitesurfing spots nearby.

Best for: kitesurfing lessons and families
How to get there / note: access via tarmac roads + local tracks; kitesurfing schools on site.

Lagoa do Cauipe em Caucaia — Cauipe Lake in Caucaia

11. Caponga Beach — Cascavel

Natural pools at low tide, traditional fishing and a peaceful atmosphere.

Best for: swimming in calm waters and local cuisine
How to get there / notes: ~60 km from Fortaleza; access via the CE-040.

12. Águas Belas Beach — Cascavel

Where the river meets the sea, with natural pools; a rustic, family-friendly setting.

Best for: families and swimming at low tide
How to get there / note: access via the CE-040/CE-085; basic facilities.

13. Morro Branco Beach — Beberibe

Multicoloured cliffs, a sandy labyrinth and handicrafts (sand bottles).

Best for: photography, buggy rides and buying handicrafts
How to get there / note: part of the Cliffs Route; good tourist facilities.

Praia de Morro Branco em Beberibe — Morro Branco Beach in Beberibe

The best beaches further away from Fortaleza

Praia de Canoa Quebrada em Aracati02:17

Passeio de Buggy de Canoa Quebrada a Ponta Grossa01:43

Praia de Ponta Grossa em Aracati01:43

Praia de Lagoinha em Paraipaba02:45

Jericoacoara - Jijoca de Jericoacoara05:00

Praia de Jericoacoara — Jijoca de Jericoacoara

Praia de Jericoacoara em Jijoca de Jericoacoara

Lagoa do Paraíso e Lagoa Azul em Jijoca de Jericoacoara04:44

Praia de Flecheiras em Trairi01:00

Praia de Guajiru em Trairi04:17

Mundaú em Trairi02:12

14. Canoa Quebrada — Aracati

Reddish cliffs, bustling Broadway, and a range of water sports and excursions.

Best for: sunsets, nightlife and sports
How to get there / note: ~160 km from Fortaleza; access via a tarmac road to the village.

Canoa Quebrada em Aracati — Canoa Quebrada in Aracati

Canoa Quebrada no Ceará — Canoa Quebrada in Ceará

15. Ponta Grossa Beach — Aracati

Cliffs and a more peaceful setting than Canoa — ideal for walks and photos.

Best for: photography and hiking
How to get there / note: access via footpaths or buggy from Canoa; check with local guides.

16. Lagoinha — Paraipaba

Dunes, coconut groves and Lagoa das Almécegas; plenty of buggy tours and charming guesthouses.

Best for: buggy rides, lagoons and families
How to get there / notes: ~100 km from Fortaleza; access via a mixed-surface road.

Praia de Lagoinha em Paraipaba — Lagoinha Beach in Paraipaba

17. Jericoacoara Beach — Jijoca de Jericoacoara

A national icon: the Sunset Dune, Pedra Furada and crystal-clear lagoons; a thriving sports and tourism scene.

Best for: sunsets, lagoons and kitesurfing
How to get there / note: regional airport (JJD) + 4×4 transfer or road with the final few kilometres on sand.

Praia de Jericoacoara em Jijoca — Jericoacoara Beach in Jijoca de Jericoacoara

18. Lagoa do Paraíso & Lagoa Azul — Jijoca de Jericoacoara

Hammocks by the water, shallow waters and beach clubs — relaxing destinations with picture-perfect scenery.

Best for: relaxing, photos and beach clubs
How to get there / note: 10–15 km from Jericoacoara; shared transfers/buggy rides.

Lagoa Azul e a do Paraíso em Jericoacoara — Lagoa Azul and Lagoa do Paraíso in Jericoacoara

19. Flecheiras Beach — Trairi

Natural pools, coconut groves and Lagoa do Jegue; a peaceful setting with a good selection of guesthouses.

Best for: families, kitesurfing and snorkelling
How to get there / note: ~130 km from Fortaleza; the route is mostly tarmac.

Praia de Flecheiras em Trairi — Flecheiras Beach in Trairi

20. Guajiru Beach — Trairi

A spot with consistent winds, lagoons and kitesurfing facilities in a more peaceful setting.

Best for: kitesurfing and peace and quiet
How to get there / note: mixed terrain; local kitesurfing schools available.

Praia de Guajiru em Trairi — Guajiru Beach in Trairi

21. Mundaú Beach — Trairi

A quiet beach with river boat trips, a viewing point and a rustic atmosphere.

Best for: boat trips and relaxation
How to get there / note: access via a regional road; basic infrastructure.

Praia de Mundaú — Trairi — Mundaú Beach — Trairi

22. Tatajuba Beach — Camocim

Shifting sand dunes, Lagoa da Torta and rustic scenery — an adventurous journey and unspoilt nature.

Best for: unspoilt nature, buggy rides and kitesurfing
How to get there / note: requires a 4×4 or buggy from Camocim or Jeri; bring supplies.