There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Fortaleza each year. The main ones are listed below.
January 1: New Year's Day (national holiday) February: Carnival (local event)Fortaleza's carnival is among the most famous in the Nordeste, even though it is not as old as Olinda's and Salvador de Bahia's. For two days, parades take place all over town and gather several thousands of people.
May 22: Corpus Christi (national holiday)This springtime commemoration of the Holy Eucharist was introduced by the Portuguese. This is an all-day affair in Fortaleza, with processions of children dressed in white, streets covered in sawdust and the creation of multicoloured rugs.
September 7: Independence Day (national holiday)Brazil's independence in 1822 is celebrated in Fortaleza with concerts and shows, street parties, dances and a fireworks display late in the evening.
November 2: All Souls' Day (Dia de Finados, national holiday)On this day, families gather to pay tribute to the departed and decorate their tombs at the cemetery.
December 2: National Samba Day - celebrated nationwide -This day celebrating Brazil's most popular dance form also marks the official start of the summer holidays. As in other cities across the country, it is celebrated in Fortaleza with numerous samba performances, concerts and revellers dancing in the streets.
December 25: Christmas (national holiday)| Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25/77 | 31/88 | 75/2.9 | Good period to go
|
| February | 23/73 | 30/86 | 101/3.9 | Good period to go
|
| March | 24/75 | 30/86 | 177/6.9 | Not the best period to go |
| April | 23/73 | 30/86 | 217/8.5 | Not the best period to go |
| May | 23/73 | 29/84 | 125/4.9 | Not the best period to go |
| June | 22/72 | 30/86 | 101/3.9 | Good period to go
|
| July | 22/72 | 30/86 | 52/2.0 | Good period to go
|
| August | 23/73 | 29/84 | 29/1.1 | Good period to go
|
| September | 23/73 | 29/84 | 18/0.7 | Good period to go
|
| October | 25/77 | 31/88 | 15/0.6 | Good period to go
|
| November | 24/75 | 31/88 | 9/0.3 | Good period to go
|
| December | 25/77 | 31/88 | 20/0.8 | Good period to go
|
The Fortaleza Pinto Martins International Airport is located about 8 kilometres (5 miles) from the city centre.
The Fortaleza metropolis is very spread out. However, the public transportation network is dense and efficient.
Known as Metrofor, Fortaleza's subway system is, as of now, comprised of two lines: the Linha Sul goes from the centre (Central-Chico da Silva station) to the south (Carlito Benevides Station), and the Linha Oeste connects the centre (Moura Brasil Station) to the western part of the city (Caucaia Station).
There is a plan to extend the network, but none of the two lines connect highly touristic places so far. The one-way fare varies between BRL 0.50 and BRL 3.40.
The city is well connected by a large network of buses, stopping in all neighbourhoods and most emblematic places. One-way ticket is BRL 3.40 (BRL 3.20 on Sunday and holidays).
Taxis are plentiful in Fortaleza and equipped with meters. Expect a BRL 12 fare for a 5-minute ride downtown.
A self-service bike system is available through town. It is free for 30 minutes (90 minutes on Sunday). Beyond, it costs BRL 5 per day. You have to sign up online beforehand to enjoy the service: www.bicicletar.com.br
Car traffic is dense and often chaotic, limited by numerous construction sites. Thankfully, the streets are rather wide.
Renting a car may however be useful to visit the surroundings, from Canoa Quebrada to Jericoacoara
Upon your arrival in Fortaleza, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.
Casa do turistaOffers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
The branches of the Ceará State tourism information centre provide a wealth of information on Fortaleza.
See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Fortaleza counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.
As a general rule, foreign nationals must apply for visas before travelling to Brazil. However, Brazil has entered into visa exemption agreements with a number of countries.
To find out if you will need a visa for travel to Brazil, visit the consular section of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website:
www.portalconsular.itamaraty.gov.br/vistos-para-viajar-ao-brasil
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Fortaleza, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Here are a few basic Brazilian Portuguese phrases that will make your stay in Fortaleza a little easier:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Bom dia (morning) / Boa tarde (afternoon)
Good evening: Boa noite
Goodbye: Adeus
Yes: Sim
No: Não
No, thank you: Não, obrigado(a)
Thank you very much: Muito obrigado(a)
Please: Por favor
I don't understand: Eu não entendo
Could you repeat ?: Você pode repetir
What time is it ?: Que horas são ?
Sorry: Com licença
Excuse me:
Airport: Aeroporto
Train station: Estação
Taxi: Táxi
Hotel: Hotel
Hospital: Hospital
Bank: Banco
Telephone: Telefone
I'm (…): Eu sou (…)
I'm looking for (…): Eu procuro (…)
How much is (…)?: Quanto custa (…)?
Do you have (…)?: Você tem (…)?
Where can I find (…)?: Onde é que há (…)?
Where can I buy (…)?: Onde posso comprar (…)?
I'd like (…): Queria (…)
Tipping
In Fortaleza as in the rest of Brazil, a 10% service charge is included in the bill at bars and restaurants. However, it is customary to leave a little extra tip if you are particularly pleased with the service.
