Published on January 16, 2013 · Updated on September 25, 2026

Home » Ceará Travel Guide » The East Coast of Ceará: A Complete Guide to Beaches and Cliffs

Discover the East Coast of Ceará: Untouched Beaches and Stunning Cliffs

The east coast of Ceará, which stretches between Aquiraz and the border with Rio Grande do Norte, is known as Costa do Sol Nascente. This coastline comprises the municipalities of Pindoretama, Cascavel, Beberibe, Fortim, Aracati,  Icapuí and Itaiçaba.

In this article

• Main tourist attractions on the east coast of Ceará
  • 1. Municipality of Aquiraz (Porto das Dunas, Beach Park, Praínha, Batoque)
  • 2. The municipality of Aracati (Canoa Quebrada, Majorlândia, Quixaba)
  • 3. The municipalities of Cascavel and Beberibe (Morro Branco, Praia das Fontes, Caponga)
  • 4. Icapuí beaches (Ponta Grossa, Redonda, Requenguela)
• Frequently Asked Questions about the East Coast of Ceará

All along its length, white sails can be seen heading out to sea even before sunrise, in a scene that is repeated every day, as fishermen push their rafts out towards the ocean.

Visiting the east coast of Ceará, beyond the sun and the dunes that make up its beautiful landscapes, means finding yourself in the midst of a culture that retains its  authenticity, even on the busiest beaches.

The short distances between the various beaches along this stretch, which is served by the CE-040 motorway, make for enjoyable day trips.

Videos – Top beaches on the east coast of Ceará

See the map of the east coast of Ceará

Top tourist attractions on the east coast of Ceará

1. Municipality of Aquiraz
2. Municipality of Aracati
3. The municipalities of Cascavel and Beberibe
4. Municipality of Icapuí

1. Municipality of Aquiraz

Situated on the east coast of Ceará, Aquiraz boasts, in addition to its historical and architectural significance, 36 km of stunning beaches as its main natural attractions.

The main beaches are:

• Porto das Dunas (where Beach Park is located)
• Praínha
• Iguape Beach
• Prison
• Barro Preto
• Batoque

All the beaches in Aquiraz share similar characteristics, such as a tropical climate and a constant breeze. Development in the tourism sector is of a high standard, preserving the local flora and fauna whilst offering tourists high-quality services in restaurants, guesthouses and beach huts.

There are several sightseeing options in Aquiraz. In the Historic and Cultural Centre, you can visit the Igreja da Matriz, the Jesuit Ruins, the Sacred Art Museum, the  Praça da Matriz, the Old Market, the Vila do Capitão Mor, the Lace-makers’ Centre, the  Porto das Jangadas and the Handicraft Centre, where you can find bobbin lace, labyrinth-style pieces and embroidery, as well as perfect replicas of miniature rafts, ranging from 30 centimetres to almost two metres.

There are also plenty of leisure options, such as trips on rafts or ferries along the Iguape and Manguezais rivers, or on the lagoons, as well as longer trips to nearby Beberibe, to explore the cliffs at Praia do Morro Branco and the dunes at Praia das Fontes. The scene of violent clashes between Europeans and indigenous peoples, the settlement of Aquiraz was granted town status in 1699 and became the seat of the captaincy of  Siará in 1713, a role it held until 1726, when the seat was permanently transferred to Fortaleza.

The town, situated 32 kilometres from Fortaleza, has preserved its colonial-era buildings and retains its provincial atmosphere, even though it is now a popular destination thanks to Beach Park, a large-scale development that attracts tourists from all over the country.

1.1. St Joseph’s Parish Church, Ribamar, and the Sacred Art Museum

Built in the mid-18th century, the Parish Church of São José de Ribamar has undergone several alterations over the years, resulting in a blend of Neoclassical and Baroque elements.

Notable features include the three large, cushioned doors at the main entrance, the carved wooden pulpit and the painted panels on the ceiling of the chancel, depicting scenes from the life of Saint Joseph of Ribamar (Praça Cônego Araripe, s/n, Centro).

The São José de Ribamar Museum of Sacred Art, with a collection comprising almost five hundred items from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, is housed in a well-preserved townhouse that once served as the Town Hall and Prison and was completed in 1877.

Inside, the ceiling, reinforced with carnauba beams, is particularly striking; the most important artefact is a silver cross dating from the 18th century, brought to Aquiraz by Jesuit priests (Praça Cônego Araripe, 22, Centro).

1.2. Miniature Rafts

Timbaúba, a type of native wood from the region, is transformed into small works of art in the hands of Seu Oliveira, a former fisherman from Prainha. This wood is prized for its qualities and is used to carve miniature rafts.

The craftsman, who learnt the trade at the age of eight, spends much of the day on the porch of his house carving small rafts with the help of a sharp knife.

The perfection and richness of detail (sails, samburá, fishing lines and other tools used by fishermen) reflect the local culture and capture the attention of tourists passing by the beach (Rua Damião Tavares, 349, Prainha). The pieces can also be found at the Lace-makers’ Centre in Prainha.

1.3. Beach Park no Litoral Leste do Ceará

Beach Park is situated right on the beachfront at Porto das Dunas on the east coast of Ceará. The park offers a wide range of leisure facilities for families, with seventeen water rides of all kinds – from the gentlest, suitable for young children, to the most ‘extreme’.

The complex comprises snack bars, restaurants and shops. There is no need to pay an entrance fee if visitors are simply using the beach area and the bar and restaurant facilities (R. Porto das Dunas, 2734, Porto das Dunas).

1.4. Lace-makers

At the seven stalls of the Lace-makers’ Centre in Prainha, forty lace-makers take turns between selling to tourists and making bobbin lace from thick or fine threads (the latter being more delicate and labour-intensive, taking several days to complete).

Among the items on offer are bedspreads and tablecloths (Rua Damião Tavares, s/n, Prainha). At the Centro de Rendeiras in Iguape, situated near the dune and the fishermen’s shed, you’ll find labyrinth embroidery and bobbin lace. You can buy table runners, tablecloths, bathrobes, tray cloths, trims for clothing and even handbags (Av. da Praia, s/n, Iguape).

1.5. Arts Market

This 19th-century building, a former trading post and meat market, now houses a cultural centre, featuring arts workshops, craft shops and a restaurant, as well as a public library. The geometric harmony of the roof structure and the precise construction technique, utilising carnauba palm and adobe, make it well worth a visit (Rua Santos Dumont, s/n, Centro).

1.6. The beaches of Aquiraz

Aquiraz isn’t just about the trendy and expensive Jericoacoara and Canoa Quebrada (in Aracati). Aquiraz is situated very close to Fortaleza, just 31 km from the capital, on the east coast of Ceará.

1. Porto das Dunas Porto das Dunas has soft, white sand and stretches of beach ideal for surfing. It is the beach with the best facilities: it is lined with hotels, guesthouses and holiday complexes.
2. Praínha Always very busy and a popular destination for day trips, it is dotted with beach huts. You’ll be constantly approached by tour guides offering tours and accommodation.
3. Presídio A area full of holiday homes, stretching along a long stretch of white sandy beach, dotted with lagoons and bordered by the River Salinas. Famous for its street carnival held right on the sand.
4. Iguape The most developed beach in Aquiraz, with white sands, calm waters dotted with rafts, and a solitary dune. It has modest guesthouses, as well as restaurants and beach huts.
5. Barro Preto A straight stretch of beach with dark sand, coconut groves, a few holiday homes, small hotels and beach huts. The buggies stop at Giovane Cavalcante’s picturesque beach hut, decorated with scrap metal.
6. Batoque Beach A secluded beach with just a few beach huts, dunes, cliffs and nearby lagoons, as well as white sands and calm waters. To reach it, you’ll need to cross a stretch of the Barro Preto River.

2. Municipality of Aracati

Aracati, on the east coast of Ceará, is well known for its natural beauty, with  Canoa Quebrada Beach as its postcard image. It is one of the state’s most popular beaches, attracting large numbers of tourists during the summer. Its beautiful scenery and facilities are ideal for enjoying a lovely day at the beach.

The nightlife is also lively, appealing to those who enjoy fun, with a range of bars and restaurants offering traditional dishes such as grilled fish, crab, tapioca and cassava cake.

The town of Aracati boasts good infrastructure, including hotels, guesthouses and restaurants, which serve typical dishes from  local cuisine. There are plenty of opportunities to play sports, and for those who enjoy adventure, hiking along the cliffs at Canoa Quebrada is an excellent option. It’s an ideal place to relax, recharge your batteries and enjoy a lovely weekend.

2.1. Aracati’s beaches

Porto Canoa Beach can be reached on foot from the neighbouring town of Canoa Quebrada. The landscape, with its reddish cliffs, contrasts with the white sails of the rafts resting on the sand.

Majorlândia beach is ideal for swimming and features colourful cliffs, from which sand was once extracted to decorate the famous little bottles sold throughout the state of Ceará. It boasts facilities including bars, restaurants and guesthouses, in a beach area framed by coconut groves and white and red cliffs. In October, the beach serves as the starting point for the Majorlândia Raft Regatta.

Set amongst white cliffs, Quixaba beach is recommended for those seeking peace and quiet, as is the almost deserted Lagoa do Mato, which can be reached on foot or by buggy.

To reach the small lagoon that gives the beach its name, you have to climb the dunes. At Fontainha, where the sea is not suitable for swimming, the colourful dunes reappear. Retirinho is a short stretch of coastline bordered by a  reef; at Retiro Grande, as well as in the cosy Ponta Grossa and the small Redondas, there is  sargassum and a small fishing village nestled against the cliffs.

1. Majorlândia

It is situated 12 km from the municipal centre of Aracati, 170 km from Fortaleza and 6 km from Canoa Quebrada, a nearby beach.

Majorlândia is a fishing village and was founded in 1937 by Major Bruno da Silva Figueiredo (Majorlândia = ‘Land of the Major’). Dense coconut groves and white and reddish cliffs dominate Majorlândia beach.

The fishermen’s rafts moored along the beach blend in beautifully with the surroundings. Surfers make the most of the strong, steady waves. Majorlândia is said to be the birthplace of the famous little bottles of coloured sand created by local craftspeople.

Majorlândia has infrastructure to welcome visitors: guesthouses, bars and restaurants offering an abundant selection of fresh fish and seafood.

2. Quixaba Beach

It is situated in the municipality of Aracati.

A beach in a fishing village, with just a few holiday homes and guesthouses. It is surrounded by light-coloured cliffs with a few coconut palms dotted here and there across the landscape.

3. Canoa Harbour

Set amongst reddish cliffs, it is a beach where fishermen pull their boats ashore to rest at dusk – hence its name.

4. Lagoa do Mato

A deserted and unspoilt beach, with very few buildings, is traversed by buggy drivers during their tours.

5. Fontainha

A short stretch of white sand, surrounded by colourful dunes. The sea, with its strong waves, is ventured into only by fishermen.

6. Retirinho

A stretch of reefs rises up between the sea and the beach; in the bay, at high tide, the sea reaches the reddish cliff.

7. Retiro Grande

A sea of sargassum and dark sand in a small fishing village, with just a few houses perched on the cliffs.

8. Canoa Quebrada

Canoa Quebrada beach, on the east coast of Ceará, is the most famous in the region; it is situated in the municipality of Aracati, 161 kilometres from Fortaleza.

The town, which prospered in the 18th century thanks to the trade in charque, is now known for its lively street carnival, although accommodation options are rather limited.

In Aracati, the conservation of the remaining colonial-era houses, sometimes adorned with Portuguese tiles, leaves something to be desired, but the buildings still catch the eye of those passing through the town on their way to  BR-304, the main route to Canoa Quebrada – by far the biggest local attraction, with good tourist facilities, as well as bars and restaurants.

Canoa Quebrada is a place of magic that surprises everyone with its lively atmosphere and paradisiacal beauty! The dunes, cliffs, sea and bright sunshine are inexhaustible sources of energy and inspiration, making it a paradise for anyone wishing to be swept away by its charm. In the 1970s, Canoa was discovered by hippies who were enchanted by its landscape of calm waters and dunes.

The transformation that has taken place in the village over recent decades is symbolised by the renaming of its main street: the former Rua Dragão do Mar  – the nickname of the raftsman who became famous for his activism against slavery – is now, somewhat wistfully, called Broadway, due to the pubs and bars where the nights stretch on until dawn.

3. The municipalities of Cascavel and Beberibe

• Cascavel, 64 kilometres from Fortaleza via the CE-040, is renowned for its beautiful beaches and rich tradition of handicrafts.
• Beberibe, for its part, is a small town with no urban attractions, situated 83 kilometres from the capital and 20 kilometres from Cascavel. This region, however, is home to two of the most famous beaches on the east coast: Morro Branco and Praia das Fontes.

3.1. The beaches of Beberibe

Beberibe, situated on the east coast of Ceará, is famous for its stunning beaches, with Morro Branco being the region’s postcard image.

This beach, the busiest one, is just four kilometres from the town centre and is surrounded by beautiful dunes and reefs. Main Beaches

1. Morro Branco: It is one of the most popular destinations for buggy tours, with stops near the crevices of the ‘Labyrinth of the Cliffs’, formed by the erosion of multi-hued sand. In the village’s little square, visitors can find traditional little bottles decorated with grains of coloured sand. The beach boasts a range of bars and restaurants, attracting many tourists.
2. Praia das Fontes: Known for its freshwater springs, caves, dunes and cliffs, it is an ideal spot for families, with calm waters. Uruaú Lagoon, which can be visited from Praia das Fontes, is surrounded by beach huts with tables almost right at the water’s edge, offering motorboat, jet-ski and kayaking trips.
3. Diogo Beach: A less crowded beach, surrounded by dunes and freshwater springs. The houses are situated on the cliffs, offering a superb view.
4. Barra do Sucatinga: With a fishing village and kiosks, it is surrounded by reddish sand formations and the sea is dotted with rafts.
5. Ariós: Accessible by buggy, it is a quiet, secluded beach, ideal for those seeking peace and quiet.
6. Prainha do Canto Verde: One of the quietest beaches in the region, perfect for those who want to relax in peaceful surroundings.
7. Praia do Paraíso: Deserted and dotted with lagoons, it offers a peaceful setting.
8. Uruaú Beach and Lagoon: Also known as Marambaia Beach, it boasts a long stretch of white sand. Although it is an Environmental Protection Area, the lagoon is used for water sports.

3.2. Cascavel’s beaches

Cascavel has fewer beaches than the east coast of Ceará, but is known for its tranquillity and cosy atmosphere. It boasts beautiful scenery, such as the beaches of Águas Belas and Caponga, which are the town’s postcard views. It is a great holiday destination to spend a few days relaxing and taking a refreshing dip in the sea. Both beaches have good facilities, with kiosks serving fresh fish snacks.

1. Capanga: A developed area, it is situated in a cove where holiday homes belonging to residents of Fortaleza are concentrated. It has white sand and calm waters, with reefs, and is home to one of the largest raft harbours on the Ceará coast.
2. Águas Belas. A peaceful spot, home to a fishing community, it begins at the end of Caponga Cove. Its landscape is characterised by dunes and coconut palms, and by the Malcozinhado River, with its mangroves.
3. Barra Nova: A small, deserted beach with shifting dunes and coconut palms, and a stretch of reefs offshore. Accessible only by 4×4 or on foot via Águas Belas beach.

3.3. Cascavel Craft Centre

The Cascavel craft centre on the east coast of Ceará is situated right at the entrance to the town. Among the items on display, the ceramics – influenced by indigenous and Portuguese styles and originating from the neighbouring community of Moita Redonda – stand out, as do the furniture and objects made from ‘cipó-de-fogo’, a plant typical of the surrounding woodland. CE-040, km 56, entrance to Cascavel.

3.4. Rapadura mills

The CE-040 road, between the towns of Aquiraz and Cascavel, is dotted with several sugar cane mills where visitors can watch the production of rapadura, alfenins, mill honey, cane spirit and brown sugar. All these products, derived from sugar cane juice, can be sampled during visits. One of the most notable mills is Casa Grande, where the world’s largest lump of rapadura is on display. You can also see the old ox-drawn mill and the current production mill (CE-040, km 37).

4. The beaches of Icapuí

The  beaches of Icapuí, surrounded by coconut groves and cliffs, attract tourists to this charming town, situated on the border between the east coast of Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte. The region is characterised by dunes, cliff faces and the comings and goings of fishing rafts.  Icapuí boasts fifteen beaches, notably Ponta Grossa Beach, often cited as one of the cleanest and best-preserved on the Ceará coast. This beach is perfect for a swim, with its gentle waves and a stunning view of the sunset from the top of the cliffs. Two other beaches that stand out in the region are Redonda Beach and Requenguela Beach, each offering unique experiences.

1. Ponta Grossa Beach

Located 200 kilometres from Fortaleza, Ponta Grossa Beach is ideal for those who wish to understand how the cliffs have been formed over time as a result of the action of the sea.

Visitors can explore trails that reveal natural sculptures, as well as caves, colourful rocks and  formations, in a setting that is generally peaceful and deserted.

2. Redonda Beach

Praia da Redonda stands out for its facilities, which include a number of guesthouses and restaurants.

With calm seas and a landscape that combines dunes and cliffs, it is the perfect place to relax. Icapuí is also famous for its abundance of lobster, and visitors simply must try this delicacy served with mango sauce.

3. Requenguela Beach

At the far end of the coastline, Requenguela Beach offers a different atmosphere, with mangroves that enchant visitors.

An environmental centre offers free activities and lessons in ecology along a 240-metre suspension walkway that crosses the mangrove swamp. At the end of the walkway, visitors come to Barra Grande, known for a unique feature: at low tide, the sea can recede by as much as  three kilometres, revealing a stunning view with cliffs on one side and mangroves on the other. Tourist Guide to the East Coast of Ceará

Frequently Asked Questions about the East Coast of Ceará

Where is the east coast of Ceará?

What are the most famous beaches on the east coast of Ceará?

How far is it from Fortaleza to the beaches on the east coast?

Is it possible to visit the east coast of Ceará on a day trip from Fortaleza?

Is Beach Park worth a visit?

What are the ‘little bottles of coloured sand’ sold on the beaches of Ceará?

Which beaches on the east coast of Ceará have cliffs?