Canoa Quebrada from Fortaleza: beaches, cliffs and buggy
Canoa Quebrada is Ceará’s most famous beach of red cliffs and an easy day trip from Fortaleza. The cheapest way to go is the Morro Branco, Fontes and Canoa Quebrada tour (€18, 4.1/5 from 122 reviews); the version with a dune buggy ride costs €44 (4.4/5 from 48 reviews) and tandem paragliding €42. There are 4 Canoa Quebrada activities, from €18 with a median of €43.
Prices, ratings and review counts updated on November 9, 2026 from the GetYourGuide catalogue. Tours Brasil is a GetYourGuide affiliate: booking through our links costs you the same and we earn a small commission.
Canoa Quebrada lies in the municipality of Aracati on Ceará’s east coast, about 165 km from Fortaleza. It is all about the falésias, red and ochre sandstone cliffs dropping onto a wide beach, with dunes behind and fishing rafts on the sand. Morro Branco and Praia das Fontes, in Beberibe, sit on the way and most tours include them. Prices come from the 47 things to do in Fortaleza and Ceará listed on Tours Brasil.
The 8 best Canoa Quebrada and Ceará trips
- Morro Branco, Fontes and Canoa Quebrada from Fortaleza — €18, 4.1/5 from 122 reviews, 11 hours, with pickup. The most booked and the cheapest.
- Buggy trip to Morro Branco, das Fontes and Canoa Quebrada — €44, 4.4/5 from 48 reviews, 9 hours, with pickup. Adds a buggy ride over dunes and cliffs.
- Canoa Quebrada day trip — €55, 4.8/5 from 2 reviews, 8 hours, with pickup. Canoa only, with more beach time.
- Tandem paragliding in Canoa Quebrada — €42 for 15 minutes, no pickup, no reviews yet. Book it if you stay in Canoa.
- Cumbuco beach day trip — €11, 4.0/5 from 37 reviews, 10 hours. The closest alternative, west of Fortaleza.
- Águas Belas beach day trip — €14, 4.2/5 from 17 reviews, 10 hours, where a river meets the sea.
- Lagoinha beach day trip — €15, 4.3/5 from 10 reviews, 11 hours.
- Jericoacoara day trip — €40, 4.2/5 from 32 reviews, 18 hours, with pickup. Very long, but the way to see Jeri if you cannot stay overnight.
The first four go to Canoa Quebrada; the last four are alternatives booked the same way. Staying longer in Ceará? Compare every option in our day trips from Fortaleza guide or plan a few nights in Jericoacoara.
Quick comparison: price, rating and pickup
| Activity | From | Rating | Reviews | Duration | Spanish guide | Pickup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morro Branco, Fontes & Canoa Quebrada | €18 | 4.1/5 | 122 | 11 h | Yes | Yes |
| Buggy: Morro Branco, Fontes & Canoa | €44 | 4.4/5 | 48 | 9 h | No | Yes |
| Canoa Quebrada day trip | €55 | 4.8/5 | 2 | 8 h | No | Yes |
| Tandem paragliding in Canoa | €42 | — | — | 15 min | Yes | No |
| Cumbuco beach (alternative) | €11 | 4/5 | 37 | 10 h | Yes | Yes |
| Águas Belas beach (alternative) | €14 | 4.2/5 | 17 | 10 h | Yes | Yes |
| Lagoinha beach (alternative) | €15 | 4.3/5 | 10 | 11 h | Yes | Yes |
Best seller
Fortaleza & Ceará9 h
Excursión en buggy a las playas de Morro Branco, das Fontes y Canoa Quebrada
Pickup
4.4 (48) from€44
Fortaleza & Ceará11 h
Desde Fortaleza: playas de Morro Branco, Fontes y Canoa Quebrada
SpanishPickup
4.1 (122) from€18
New
Fortaleza & Ceará15 min
Canoa Quebrada: vuelo en parapente biplaza
Spanish
from€42
Fortaleza & Ceará8 h
Desde Fortaleza: excursión de 1 día a la exótica playa de Canoa Quebrada
Pickup
4.8 (2) from€55
What to see in Canoa Quebrada
The cliffs and beach: walk along the top of the red cliffs for views, or along the sand at low tide. The moon-and-star symbol carved into the cliff is the classic photo. The main street: a pedestrian strip of restaurants, craft shops and bars nicknamed Broadway, with time for lunch on day trips.
Morro Branco and Praia das Fontes: Morro Branco has a small labyrinth through cliffs of coloured sand, and local artisans fill bottles with sand pictures. At Praia das Fontes, small freshwater springs trickle from the foot of the cliffs. Both stops are included in the €18 tour and the €44 buggy trip.
Which trip suits you
Lowest price: the €18 tour covers all three beaches in 11 hours. Best experience: spend €44 on the buggy trip, which has the better rating (4.4/5). Staying overnight: watch sunset from the cliffs and book paragliding (€42), which only works if you are already in town.
2-day Fortaleza beach itinerary
Day 1: the buggy trip to Morro Branco, Fontes and Canoa Quebrada (€44, 9 hours), or the €18 version without buggy. Activities: €44.
Day 2: switch coasts with a Cumbuco beach day (€11, 10 hours). For dunes and a lagoon, the Cumbuco and Lagoa do Catu adventure costs €76 (4.8/5). Activities: €11.
That is €55 per person over two days, or €29 on the budget version. Add Águas Belas (€14) for a third beach day.
How much does a Canoa Quebrada trip cost?
- Group tour to Morro Branco, Fontes and Canoa: €18.
- Tandem paragliding: €42 for 15 minutes.
- Buggy trip: €44.
- Canoa-only day trip: €55.
- Alternative beaches from Fortaleza: €11–15.
The median Canoa Quebrada activity costs €43, against €48 across Fortaleza and Ceará. Lunch and optional extras on the beach are usually not included. Prices are refreshed daily and the final one shows when you pick a date.
Plan your trip
Getting there: about 165 km east of Fortaleza by road, 2.5 to 3 hours depending on traffic; a tour with hotel pickup is the easiest option, and buses and private transfers run if you want to stay. Getting around: the village is walkable; dunes and far-off cliffs are done by buggy with a local driver.
When to go: July to December is sunnier and windier, ideal for paragliding and kitesurfing; rain is heaviest from February to May. Where to stay: Meireles or Praia de Iracema in Fortaleza for day trips, Canoa Quebrada near the main street for sunsets and nightlife, Aracati for historic houses and fewer tourists.
Practical tips
- Day trips are long (8 to 11 hours): pack water, sunscreen and a change of clothes.
- Stay away from cliff edges and do not climb the falésias; the sandstone crumbles.
- Check the tide table if you want to walk the beach below the cliffs.
- Ask for a gentle buggy ride if you travel with children or get motion sick.
- The €18 tour and the paragliding flight list a Spanish-speaking guide; check English options on each activity page.
FAQ
How far is Canoa Quebrada from Fortaleza?
About 165 km, or 2.5 to 3 hours by road. Day trips last 8 to 11 hours with pickup included.
How much is a Canoa Quebrada tour?
From €18 for the group tour with Morro Branco and Fontes, €44 with a buggy ride and €55 for the Canoa-only day trip.
Which trip has the best reviews?
The buggy trip scores 4.4/5 from 48 reviews. The most reviewed is the €18 tour, with 122 reviews at 4.1/5.
Is it worth staying overnight in Canoa Quebrada?
Yes, if you have time: you get sunset from the cliffs and can book paragliding (€42), which has no pickup from Fortaleza.
When is the best time to visit?
July to December, when it is drier and windier. February to May is the rainiest period.
Do I need a visa for Brazil?
Since 10 April 2025, US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa to visit Brazil. UK and EU passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Always check the official Brazilian consulate website before travelling.
Related searches
- Canoa Quebrada from Fortaleza
- Canoa Quebrada buggy
- Morro Branco
- Canoa Quebrada paragliding
- Cumbuco beach
- Águas Belas
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- Jericoacoara from Fortaleza
- day trips from Fortaleza
- things to do in Fortaleza
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