Canoa Quebrada in Ceará: A paradise for sports, culture and leisure
Canoa Quebrada Beach is located 12 kilometres from the city of Aracati.
Since the 1970s, Canoa Quebrada has been one of the most famous and popular beaches in Ceará, as well as one of the main stops on the Cliff Route.
The beach has been the setting for films such as Fábio Barreto’s “Bella Dona” (1997), and the village sits on cliffs that reach up to 30 metres above sea level.
Natural features
With its reddish sands, Canoa Quebrada grew out of the small village of Esteves and today tourism is its main source of income.
In addition to the magic of the place, the beach offers a variety of activities such as buggy rides, rafting, mountain biking, sandboarding, nature walks, quad biking and fishing.
Famous for its lively nights
The nights in Canoa Quebrada are lively, attracting people from all over the world and with a wide variety of musical styles. The village has a gastronomic infrastructure and inns to suit all tastes and budgets.
To buy the traditional handicraft of bottles decorated with coloured sand, it’s worth visiting Majorlândia, 8 km from Canoa Quebrada.
Videos – Tourist Information
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Tourist Attractions
Canoa Quebrada is one of Brazil’s most famous tourist destinations, known for its colourful cliffs, stunning beaches and vibrant atmosphere. It offers a variety of attractions and activities to suit all tastes:
- Broadway
- Cliffs
- Hippies
- Buggy Rides
- Paragliding
- Bells of Canoa Quebrada
- Surrounding Beaches
Popular activities
Popular activities include kitesurfing, paragliding and buggy and 4×4 tours around the region. For the more adventurous, there are also Quad bike or motorbike tours with a guide.
Broadway (Dragão do Mar Street)
Broadway, the main street of Canoa Quebrada, is home to the best in bars, restaurants, shops and local culture. It’s a sure-fire meeting place for visitors.
Compared to the original in New York, Broadway in Canoa Quebrada leaves nothing to be desired, especially considering the number of people who crowd the narrow streets during the high season.
Cliffs of Canoa Quebrada
The Cliffs are famous for their huge dunes and vibrant colours, reaching up to 30 metres high.
The legacy of the hippies
Canoa Quebrada became famous as a destination for European hippies in the 60s and 70s, when the place was inhabited by an indigenous tribe and some fishermen. Many hippies married locals, had children and moved to the area. Today the locals include many Swiss, French and other European descendants.
Although it still retains some of the charm and simplicity of the hippy era, the village has already taken on the profile of a mass tourist destination, with queues of parked buses in the summer. The stress of everyday life is washed away by the beautiful landscape of red cliffs.
Buggy rides
Buggy rides are one of the most popular activities and provide an exciting way to explore the region’s cliffs, dunes and beaches. Local guides offer a variety of routes that take in tourist attractions and breathtaking scenery.
Kitesurfing and Windsurfing
The wind conditions in Canoa Quebrada are ideal for practising sports such as kitesurfing and windsurfing. There are local schools offering lessons and equipment hire for both beginners and experts.
Paragliding
For the adventurous, paragliding offers a unique perspective of the cliffs and beaches, with incredible panoramic views.
Bells of Canoa Quebrada
The sculptures of bells carved into the cliffs are one of the icons of Canoa Quebrada, representing the creativity and artistry of the locals.
Surrounding beaches
The region’s beaches, which stretch from Praia do Ceará in the east to Retiro Grande, belong to the municipality of Icapuí. Due to the long distances, many people prefer to get to know them by buggy, especially Ponta Grossa, which is considered the most beautiful. For a day at the beach, we recommend the village beach, which is easily accessible on foot.
Time of year
The best time to visit Canoa Quebrada is between September and March, when the weather is drier and the temperatures are pleasant, between 25°C and 30°C. During these months, the town receives a large number of tourists, especially during the New Year and Carnival celebrations, which attract parties and special events.
The months of June to August can be rainy and windy, but you can still enjoy the natural beauty and some activities. For those who prefer peace and quiet, the low season, from April to June, can offer a more relaxing experience, with fewer tourists and more affordable accommodation.
How to get there
Distance from Fortaleza: 156 km
1. Private or hire car
Duration: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Recommended route: Leave Fortaleza on the CE-040, a well-signposted road to Aracati. After about 150 kilometres you will reach Aracati. Follow the signs to Canoa Quebrada, which is about 15 kilometres away on the CE-371 road.
2. By bus
Length: Approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic and stops.
Company: The main bus company operating this route is Viação São Benedito.
Where to get it: Buses depart from the Engenheiro João Thomé bus station in Fortaleza and take you to the Aracati bus station, from where you can take a taxi or local transport to Canoa Quebrada.
3. Private transfers
Length: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Services: Several companies and travel agencies offer direct transfers from Fortaleza.
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