'''Canoa Quebrada''' is a beach village in Ceara.

160 km south of Fortaleza, in the municipality of Aracati, '''Canoa''', as it is mostly referred to, is a village installed on red sandstone cliffs.

Understand

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.

Get in

  • Buses to/from Fortaleza about 6 times daily by ''Sao 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. You can also take one of the minibuses with daytrippers from Fortaleza, but they will charge you return price, R$ 40. Departure Fortaleza 7:30 AM, Canoa (bus station) 4 PM. 2,5 hours.
  • A range of agencies set up 3-4 days packages from Fortaleza. Quite convenient, with hotel pick-up and all, but mostly works out a bit more expensive.
  • For other destinations you need to change in Aracati or Fortaleza, but many of these tickets can still be bought at the bus station in Canoa Quebrada
  • Get around

    All walkable

    See

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

  • 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[http://www.canoakiteschool.com]
  • 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 10 AM, return 4 PM.
  • Buy

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

    Eat

    Food from the beach shacks is far inferior to that from the village restaurants. Many Broadway restaurants have special offers for lunch.
  • Panela Cearense. roadway. ext to Caverna. unch and dinner. et meals at R$ 6.
  • Natural Bistro. roadway. ains around R$ 30. An innovative menu in a very relaxed setting.
  • Cafe Havana. roadway. ains around R$ 25. Top quality meats and attentive service.
  • El Argentino. ne block off Broadway. ains around R$ 25, all-you-can-eat at R$ 29-39. Mostly grilled meats, the buffet is a bit sparse.

    Drink

    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. roadway. arge beer R$ 4. Live music on Thursdays. Shoulder rubbing on the street benches. Pool tables.
  • Todo Mundo. roadway. hots from R$ 1! Large beer R$ 4. Slightly loud rock hits Daytime drinking is on the beach:
  • Jegue's Bar. n the beach. it down and wait till he comes along. Probably the only donkey-driven bar around.
  • Freedom Bar. n the beach. ollow the crowd from the lower end of Broadway. idnight-dawn, a couple of days a week.. arge beer R$ 4. Reggea in a dozen languages, bonfire in the sand. Lack of toilets and ilumination takes its toll.

    Sleep

    Budget

  • Vila Canoa. aminho do Mar. rom the upper end of Broadway straight down towards the beach.. 8 34217183. ttp://www.vilacanoa.com/. ingles R$ 35, doubles R$ 40. Basic rooms with fan and minibar. Virtually on the beach. Breakfast in the sand.
  • Pousada Europa. ua Nataniel Pereira. ne block above Vila Canoa. 55 88 3421 7004. ingle R$ 25, double R$ 35. Pool and rooms with their own stairs, sea view balconies and hammock spaces.
  • Pousada Castelo. ua Nataniel Pereira. +55 88 8823 4976 / +55 88 88093054 . ingel R$ 30.
  • Posada da Didi. ona Dina. roadway. cross the street from Ibiza, entrance where it says Caldo. o phone!!. ingles R$ 20, no breakfast. eception. s. here. t. ays. o. lmost. pposite. Very basic, but prime location for party-goers. No breakfast

    Mid-Range

  • Pousada do Toby. 55 88 3421 7094. ttp://www.pousada-do-toby.com/. ingle R$ 80. Breakfast served until 4 PM!!! Nice views from rooftop terrace with pool.

    Splurge

    Contact

  • Area code 88
  • Cyber cafes 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.
  • Get out

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