Home » Ceará Travel Guide » Things to Do in Paracuru, Ceará: Beaches and Sports

The town of Paracuru, situated on the west coast of Ceará, is renowned for its stunning beaches and peaceful atmosphere, attracting tourists, particularly lovers of water sports. If you’re wondering what to do in Paracuru, this guide brings together beaches, attractions and practical tips to help you plan your trip.

Location

Situated around 90 km from Fortaleza, it is easily accessible, with car journeys taking around 1h30 along the CE-085 motorway. Paracuru is part of the Costa dos Ventos Route, lying just after Cumbuco and São Gonçalo do Amarante for those coming from the capital.

Video – Attractions in Paracuru, Ceará

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Atrações turísticas de Paracuru CE

Praia de Paracuru no Ceará03:07

Guia de turismo das Lençóis Paracuruenses02:11

History and Culture

With a rich history dating back to the colonial period, Paracuru is a major centre for maritime trade.

The name ‘Paracuru’ is of Tupi origin and means ‘sea lizard’. The town is famous for its Festas Juninas and for its vibrant culture, which blends indigenous and African influences.

Paracuru Beaches

• Pedra Rachada Beach: Known for its rock formations and natural pools, it is ideal for swimming and snorkelling, as well as being excellent for surfing and kitesurfing.
• Paracuru Beach: Centrally located and easily accessible, with a good range of bars and restaurants, perfect for families.
• Quebra-Mar Beach: Popular with kitesurfers and windsurfers, with steady winds and ideal conditions — a natural reef creates both a lagoon of calm water and waves on the outer side, depending on the tide.
• Praia das Almas: Peaceful and less crowded, it’s ideal for those seeking peace and quiet and a relaxing atmosphere.

Things to do in Paracuru: Activities and Attractions

• Water sports: Paracuru is one of Brazil’s best destinations for kitesurfing and windsurfing, with schools at Quebra-Mar Beach. Pedra Rachada Beach is excellent for surfing.
• Lençóis Paracuruenses: amongst the city’s dunes, during the rainy season (March to July), pools of crystal-clear fresh water form, resembling the Lençóis Maranhenses in miniature — an outing that is becoming increasingly popular.
• Buggy tours: Explore the dunes and nearby beaches.
• Walks and Trails: Enjoy nature trails through the dunes and mangroves.
• Praça do Farol: situated on the seafront of the main beach, it is home to the town’s iconic lighthouse and a viewing point offering panoramic views — a great way to spend the late afternoon.

Cuisine

The local cuisine is renowned for its seafood. Restaurants serve traditional dishes such as fish, prawns and lobsters.

Accommodation

Paracuru offers a wide range of accommodation options, from simple guesthouses to upmarket hotels with sea views. The town centre and the seafront area, near Praça do Farol, are the best places to stay for those who want to be close to restaurants and shops; meanwhile, guesthouses on Praia da Pedra Rachada offer a more natural setting, with cliffs and rock formations.

Events

• Traditional Festivals: The June festivals and other cultural celebrations are common.
• Kitesurfing competitions: Paracuru is part of the national kitesurfing calendar, hosting rounds in the Kitewave and Kite Freestyle disciplines, organised with the support of the Brazilian Kitesurfing Association (ABK), as well as serving as a stop on the Sertões Kitesurf rally.

Dicas

• When to Visit: the months from July to January are ideal for those looking for strong winds and dry weather; whilst March to July, the rainiest period, is when the Lençóis Paracuruenses appear.
• How to get there: the town can be reached by car (around 1 hour 30 minutes from Fortaleza via the CE-085) or by bus, with regular services departing from Fortaleza bus station.

To discover other beaches in the region, it’s also worth checking out the Cumbuco guide and the comprehensive guide to the West Coast of Ceará.

Frequently asked questions about things to do in Paracuru, Ceará

What to do in Paracuru in a day?
It’s worth visiting Pedra Rachada Beach in the morning, having a seafood lunch in the town centre, strolling around Praça do Farol in the late afternoon and, weather permitting, rounding off the day with a buggy ride to the Lençóis Paracuruenses or to Quebra-Mar to watch the kitesurfing.

How many kilometres is Paracuru from Fortaleza?
About 90 km, a journey of approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by car along the CE-085 motorway.

What does the name Paracuru mean?
It is a word of Tupi origin meaning ‘sea lizard’.

When do the Lençóis Paracuruenses appear?
They form during the rainy season, between March and July, when freshwater pools appear amongst the city’s dunes.

Is Paracuru a good place for beginners to kitesurf?
Yes. Quebra-Mar Beach has a calm lagoon protected by a reef, which is ideal for beginners, as well as waves further out for more experienced kitesurfers.

When is the best time to visit Paracuru?
From July to January for those looking for strong winds and sunshine; from March to July for those who want to see the Lençóis Paracuruenses, although there is a greater chance of rain.

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 01/01/2015 · Updated on 03/09/2026

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