Home » Ceará Travel Guide » Aquiraz, Ceará: Guide to Porto das Dunas and Beach Park

Aquiraz, on the east coast of Ceará, is the oldest town in the state — founded in 1699 and known as the ‘first capital of Ceará’. Today, the town is synonymous with white sandy beaches, notably the famous Porto das Dunas, and the Beach Park complex, the largest water park in Latin America.

Located about 30 km from Fortaleza (a 30- to 40-minute drive, depending on traffic), Aquiraz is one of the most popular destinations for visitors to Ceará, whether on a day trip, a weekend break or a family holiday.

Must-see attractions in Aquiraz

Link

Embed

Copy and paste this HTML code into your webpage to embed.

Beach Park em Porto das Dunas - Ceará03:22

Aquiraz no Ceará00:29

Aquiraz - Praias02:24

Aquiraz - Guia Turismo03:15

• Beach Park (Porto das Dunas) — the largest water park in Latin America, featuring thrill rides such as the Insano, the Arrepius and the Surreal, as well as areas dedicated to children, such as Noah’s Ark. The Aqua Park is usually open from 11am to 5pm (the ticket office opens earlier), and is closed on certain days of the week for maintenance — check the updated calendar before you go. For details on tickets, special offers and opening times, see our complete guide to Beach Park.
• Aquiraz Historic Centre — colonial churches, stately homes and squares that tell the story of Ceará’s first town.
• São José de Ribamar Museum of Sacred Art — a collection of sacred art comprising some 1,400 pieces, most of which date from the 18th and 19th centuries, housed in the former Town Hall and Prison.
• Lace-makers’ Centre — bobbin lace, embroidery and miniature rafts made by local craftswomen.
• Trails, dunes and buggy rides — ecotourism, viewing points and coastal scenery.

Key historical and cultural attractions in Aquiraz

Aquiraz is home to one of the best-preserved historic districts on the coast of Ceará. Highlights include the São José de Ribamar Parish Church, the Sacred Art Museum (open Tuesday to Saturday, from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, in Praça Cônego Araripe), Praça da Matriz, the Arts Market and the Casa do Capitão-mor — a heritage site that perfectly complements the beach experience and makes Aquiraz an all-round destination for those wishing to combine culture and leisure in Ceará.

Anyone interested in history might also take the opportunity to visit Fortaleza, the capital of Ceará, just a few minutes’ drive away.

Festivals and folk traditions of Aquiraz

Cultural life in Aquiraz is characterised by religious and popular festivals throughout the year, including:

• Feast of St Sebastian — January, in Praça da Matriz.
• Feast of São José de Ribamar (the town’s patron saint) — March, also in Praça da Matriz.
• Feast of Our Lady of the Navigators — November.
• Carnival at Praia do Presídio — one of the liveliest spots on the Ceará coast at this time of year.
• Metropolitan Handicrafts Fair and the Coco Dance Festival, which celebrate the local production of bobbin lace and the region’s Afro-indigenous cultural traditions.

The beaches of Aquiraz — particularly Porto das Dunas

See the map of the east coast of Ceará

• Porto das Dunas: white sand, good hotel facilities, surf spots and direct access to Beach Park.
• Prainha: a lively atmosphere, with beach huts and local shops.
• Iguape: more urbanised, with colourful rafts and excellent seafood cuisine.
• Presídio, Barro Preto and Batoque: quieter stretches, dunes and lagoons — Batoque forms part of a federal Extractive Reserve, an environmental conservation area.

For those who want to compare it with other beaches in the state, it’s worth checking out the guide to the best beaches in Fortaleza and Ceará and the itinerary for the east coast of Ceará.

Where to stay in Aquiraz

Porto das Dunas is home to most of the municipality’s hotels, with options to suit all types of traveller:

• Resorts within the Beach Park complex (Acqua Beach Park Resort, Suites Beach Park Resort, Wellness Beach Park Resort and Oceani Beach Park Resort) — ideal for those looking for easy access to the water park, with packages that include admission tickets.
• Guesthouses and independent hotels in Porto das Dunas — good value-for-money options, just a few minutes’ walk from the beach.
• Airbnbs and holiday homes — a popular option for families and groups, particularly during the high season.

Local cuisine

The cuisine of Aquiraz follows the seafood tradition of the Ceará coast. Among the most popular dishes in the seaside restaurants are peixada cearense, shrimps in garlic and oil and the classic baião de dois. The region is also known for its food festivals, such as the Shrimp Festival and the Sardine Festival, which combine music and traditional food.

Weather in Aquiraz

The climate is sub-humid Atlantic tropical, hot all year round, with temperatures generally ranging between 24°C and 32°C. The rainiest season runs from February to May; the driest period, between June and January, is usually the best time to enjoy the beach and the water park in sunnier weather.

A 1-day itinerary in Aquiraz

If you’re short on time, you can see the best of Aquiraz in a single day, setting off from Fortaleza in the morning:

• 9.00 am — Historic Centre: start with the São José de Ribamar Parish Church and the Sacred Art Museum (open Tuesday to Saturday, from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm), in Praça Cônego Araripe.
• 10.30 am — Lace-makers’ Centre: pop in to see the local handicrafts and, if you’d like, pick up some bobbin lace as a souvenir.
• 12 noon — Lunch by the sea: pop into a restaurant in Porto das Dunas or Iguape to try Ceará-style fish stew or prawns in garlic and oil.
• 1.30 pm — Beach or Beach Park: those travelling with their families usually set aside the whole afternoon for the water park; those who prefer a more leisurely pace can enjoy the beach at Porto das Dunas or head to Presídio or Batoque to explore the dunes and lagoons.
• 5.00 pm — Sunset: round off the day by watching the sunset on the beach before heading back to Fortaleza.

If you have more time, it’s worth extending your trip to a weekend and taking your time to visit one of the quieter beaches, such as Barro Preto or Batoque.

Practical tips for visiting Aquiraz

• How to get there: about 30 km from Fortaleza, via the CE-040; the journey by car or taxi/ride-hailing app takes between 30 and 40 minutes, depending on traffic. There are also metropolitan bus routes connecting Fortaleza to Aquiraz. Those arriving by plane land at Pinto Martins International Airport in Fortaleza, about 22 km from Porto das Dunas.
• Best time to visit: Aquiraz can be visited all year round, thanks to its tropical climate; the peak season (December to February and July) is busier and prices are higher.
• Environment: please respect nature reserves, such as the Batoque Reserve, and dispose of rubbish on the beaches correctly.
• Shopping: the bobbin lace and miniature rafts from the Centro das Rendeiras make excellent souvenirs.
• Beach Park tickets: buy them in advance via the official website, particularly during peak season, to get the best prices and avoid queues at the ticket office.

Frequently asked questions about Aquiraz, in Ceará

How many kilometres is Aquiraz from Fortaleza?
Aquiraz is about 30 km from the centre of Fortaleza, a journey of approximately 30 to 40 minutes by car.

What is there to do in Aquiraz apart from Beach Park?
As well as the water park, it’s worth visiting the Historic Centre, the São José de Ribamar Sacred Art Museum, the Lace-Makers’ Centre and the beaches of Prainha, Iguape, Presídio, Barro Preto and Batoque.

What is the most famous beach in Aquiraz?
Porto das Dunas is the best-known beach in the municipality, as it is home to Beach Park and has good accommodation and dining facilities.

Is Aquiraz the first capital of Ceará?
Yes. Founded in 1699, Aquiraz was the first town and administrative capital of what would later become the state of Ceará, before the seat of government was permanently moved to Fortaleza.

Is Aquiraz worth a visit on a day trip from Fortaleza?
Yes, its proximity to the capital makes Aquiraz a great destination for a day trip — you can explore the historic centre in the morning and enjoy the beach or Beach Park in the afternoon.

Where to stay near Beach Park?
Most of the options are in Porto das Dunas, including the official resorts within the Beach Park complex, independent guesthouses and holiday homes.

When is the best time to visit Aquiraz?
The driest period, between June and January, usually offers more sunshine and less rain, making it the best time to enjoy the beaches and the water park.

Is it possible to see Aquiraz in a day?
Yes. A one-day itinerary usually includes the historic centre and the museum in the morning, lunch by the sea, and the beach or Beach Park in the afternoon — see the suggested full itinerary above.

Conclusion

Aquiraz combines history, beaches and entertainment, with Porto das Dunas serving as the poster child for Ceará’s east coast. It is a well-rounded destination, ideal for families, couples and travellers seeking sun, culture and adventure — all just a few minutes’ drive from Fortaleza.

See also: Beach Park – A comprehensive guide to attractions and tickets and The east coast of Ceará: beaches and cliffs.

Written by Willy Sievert

Editor of Bahia.ws since its founding in 2009. Based in Salvador, he travels frequently across the Northeast and all of Brazil to keep the guides up to date. Learn more about Willy Sievert →

Published on 09/08/2015 · Updated on 29/08/2026

This post is also on: