Futuro Beach (Praia do Futuro)

A city tour of Fortaleza often includes a stop at Futuro Beach, but the best way to experience the beach is to spend an afternoon lazing on its sands. Grab a table at one of the beach bars, many of which offer live entertainment, water sports, food, and drinks; stick around until the evening hours when the nightlife picks up.

• Beach bars charge a fee for tables and parasols, or require the purchase of food, but you can normally stay as long as you like. Prices may vary, so it’s worth shopping around. It's best to bring cash instead of credit cards.

• Temperatures can reach more than 86°F (30°C) in Fortaleza at any time of the year, so pack sunscreen and a hat.

• The waves can be powerful at Futuro Beach, so swim only in the designated areas and stick to shallow waters if you’re not a strong swimmer.

• For safety reasons, it’s recommended to stick to the busiest areas of the beach, around the beach bars, especially in the early morning or late evening.

Futuro Beach is located along the east coast of Fortaleza, around 6 miles (10 kilometers) from downtown. Local buses run from the center, but it’s best to hop in a taxi, especially if you’re arriving at night.

Futuro Beach is sunny year-round, but it’s busiest during the dry season (June to January). In the wet season (February to May), it’s still warm enough to swim. Windsurfers might want to visit between August and November, when the wind is strongest. Weekends can get busy at the beach bars, especially in evening, while Thursday nights are a special occasion—most beach bars serve crab dinners; live music and entertainment takes place along the beachfront.

Fortaleza’s four urban beaches include Futuro Beach. Iracema (Praia de Iracema), closest to downtown, is known more for its nightlife than swimming; neighboring Meireles Beach (Praia do Meireles) has some of the city’s best seafood restaurants; and Cumbuco Beach (Praia de Cumbuco) is best for water sports, including jet-skiing, kitesurfing, and ski-bunda rides. Within day-trip distance is Lagoinha Beach (Praia da Lagoinha) and Canoa Quebrada, with dramatic dunes best explored on a dune buggy tour.