Canoa Quebrada

Canoa is still holding on to its fame as a hippie paradise, although it is slowly growing into another resort destination. Despite all, many locals still work as traditional jangada fishermen. The climate is dry and sunny most of the year, with average daytime temperatures around 30 C. Some daytime rain between March and May, although substantially less than in Fortaleza.

By bus

• Buses to(6, 9:30, 11AM, 12:30, 2:30, 5:30PM)and from (6, 8:30 11AM, 1:30 4:30 5:30PM) Fortaleza 6 times daily by São Benedito tel +55 85 3444 9999, about 3,5 hours, R$18,50. An alternative is to jump off any bus that passes Aracati, and switch to frequent minibuses for the last bit to Canoa.
• Take one of the minibuses with daytrippers from Fortaleza, but they will charge you return price, R$40. Departure Fortaleza 7:30AM, Canoa (bus station) 4PM. 2,5 hours.

By car

• From Fortaleza, take the road CE-040.

Canoa Quebrada is all walkable. Go barefoot if you like.

• The sunset from the dunes backing the town. The time to go is when the beach gets shady.

• Walk along the beach in either direction. Note that certain stretches become partly flooded on high tide. Your knees will get wet.
• Dune-buggy along the coast. Standard 2,5 hour trip for up to 4 people with a driver/guide is R$200.
• Jangada (traditional fishing rafts with sail). R$10 per person for about 30 minutes.
• Kitesurfing: Canoa kite school
• Tandem paragliding on the cliff top. R$50 for 15–20 minutes.
• A cruise on the river Jaguaribe with a buggy tour before and after and lunch (not included) in Fortim sets you back R$80. Departure 10AM, return 4PM.

Due to its small size, many goods are scarce and/or overpriced. Aracati has what you need!

• Get any souvenir with Canoa's trademark: The star embraced by the crescent moon.

Food from the beach shacks is mostly inferior to that from the village restaurants. Many Broadway restaurants have special offers for lunch.

• Biroska Brasil

  address: Broadway

• Panela Cearense

  address: Broadway

• Costa Brava

  address: Broadway
  Good steaks and sauces

• Café Havana

  address: Broadway
  Top quality meats and attentive service.

• El ArgentinoMostly grilled meats, the buffet is a bit sparse.

Most people working in restaurants and bars in Canoa works for minimum wages and often without a proper contracts. In a lot of cases the menu states that the restaurant adds 10% tip. This is a tip for the owner, the workers never see this money. You can give tips directly to the waiter in her/his hand. Even a few R$ will be welcomed.

Weekdays are rather dead, apart from January. Fridays and Saturdays have people pouring in from the whole eastern part of the state, and also some crowds from Rio Grande do Norte. Broadway turns into one big party. If there is something big on in Aracati the crowds might never arrive.

• Caverna

  address: Broadway
  Live music on Thursdays. Shoulder rubbing on the street benches. Pool tables.

• Todo Mundo

  address: Broadway
  Slightly loud rock hits

Daytime drinking is on the beach:

• Jegue's Bar

  address: On the beach
  Probably the only donkey-driven bar around.

• Freedom Bar

  address: On the beach
  Reggea in a dozen languages, bonfire in the sand. Lack of toilets and ilumination takes its toll. As of January 2010 several muggings have been reported. DO NOT WALK HOME ALONE!

Dozens and dozens of small inns, the cheapest of which often have no telephone for reservations. Also many private rooms for rent, from 20 reais and up.

Budget

• Casas Flor de Lys4 free-standing units with small kitchens and a double and a single bed. Some have sea view. No breakfast.

• Pousada Europa

  phone: +55 88 3421-7004
  address: Rua Nataniel Pereira
  Pool and rooms with their own stairs, sea view balconies and hammock spaces. Hotel got Lonely Planet plug, but it's clearly seen better days and needs a serious cleaning.

• Pousada Castelo

  phone: +55 88 8823-4976, +55 88 8809-3054
  address: Rua Nataniel Pereira

• Posada da Didi

  address: Broadway
  Very basic, but prime location for party-goers. No breakfast.

Mid-range

• Vila Canoa

  phone: +55 88 3421-7183
  address: Caminho do Mar
  Basic rooms with fan and minibar. Virtually on the beach. Breakfast in the sand.

• Pousada Mundial

  phone: +55 88 8804-5825
  address: Rua Beira Mar 93
  Totally refurbished 2011. Comfy beds, fridge, parking space, air con

• Pousada do Toby

  phone: +55 88 3421-7094
  Breakfast served until 4PM!!! Nice views from rooftop terrace with pool.

• Pousada Iguana

  phone: +55 88 6272-7289
  American owned.

Splurge

• Area code 88
• Cyber cafés are now plentiful, although still somewhat slower than the cities. R$3 / hours is fair.
• The cell phone networks could jam at peak hours of high season.

Canoa used to be famous for its lack of crime and dangers. While still not comparable to any large Brazilian city, muggings are ever more frequent, particularly targeting lone party-goers on their way home from the beach in the wee hours.

The trips to Fortaleza and Natal can be done by beach buggy. Ask at travel agencies.