Day trips from Fortaleza: Canoa Quebrada, Cumbuco and Jericoacoara

The most booked day trips from Fortaleza head to the cliff-lined beaches east of the city: the Morro Branco, Praia das Fontes and Canoa Quebrada day trip starts at €18 (4.1/5 from 122 reviews), or €44 with a buggy ride (4.4/5). Heading west, the Cumbuco beach trip starts at €11, and the top-rated option is “Ceará beaches in one day” (€50, 4.8/5).

The Tours Brasil catalogue lists 47 activities in Fortaleza and Ceará, from €11 with a median of €48. Fortaleza is also the gateway to Jericoacoara. Here are the day trips worth doing, what they cost and how to fit them into a short stay.

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.

The best day trips from Fortaleza

Ranked by bookings and verified reviews. All include hotel pickup.

1. Morro Branco, Praia das Fontes and Canoa Quebrada — from €18, 11 hours, 4.1/5 from 122 reviews. Three colourful cliff beaches in one day; the best seller.
2. Buggy tour of Morro Branco, Fontes and Canoa Quebrada — from €44, 9 hours, 4.4/5. Same route, exploring the dunes by buggy.
3. Ceará beaches in one day — from €50, 9 hours, 4.8/5 from 27 reviews. The top-rated trip.
4. Cumbuco beach day trip — from €11, 10 hours, 4/5. The cheapest option, west of the city.
5. Águas Belas beach day trip — from €14, 10 hours, 4.2/5. A quiet beach where a river meets the sea.
6. Jericoacoara day trip — from €40, 18 hours, 4.2/5. Very long, but the only way to see Jeri without staying over.
7. Shared transfer to Jericoacoara — from €28, 6 hours, 4.6/5 from 209 reviews.

Quick comparison: price, rating and duration

Activity	From	Rating	Reviews	Duration	Spanish guide	Pickup
Morro Branco, Fontes, Canoa Quebrada	€18	4.1/5	122	11 h	Yes	Yes
Canoa Quebrada by buggy	€44	4.4/5	48	9 h	No	Yes
Ceará beaches in one day	€50	4.8/5	27	9 h	No	Yes
Cumbuco beach	€11	4/5	37	10 h	Yes	Yes
Águas Belas beach	€14	4.2/5	17	10 h	Yes	Yes
Lagoinha beach	€15	4.3/5	10	11 h	Yes	Yes
Jericoacoara day trip	€40	4.2/5	32	18 h	Yes	Yes
Shared transfer to Jericoacoara	€28	4.6/5	209	6 h	No	Yes

Which trip should you choose?

One day

Go to Canoa Quebrada: the standard trip (€18) for the lowest price, or the buggy version (€44) to ride the dunes. For the best reviews, book “Ceará beaches in one day” (4.8/5).

Two or three days

One day east (Canoa Quebrada, Morro Branco) and one day west to Cumbuco or south to Águas Belas. You get both coastlines: red cliffs on one side, dunes and lagoons on the other.

Going to Jericoacoara

The day trip exists (€40) but takes 18 hours. If you can, book the shared transfer (€28) and stay two or three nights; see things to do in Jericoacoara.

On a budget

Cumbuco (€11), Águas Belas (€14) and Canoa Quebrada (€18) are the cheapest day trips from the city, and all three list a Spanish-speaking guide. Pair one of them with a free beach day in the city and you can see the coast for very little.

Arriving or leaving by plane

The same page lists airport transfers from €12 (5/5 from 13 reviews), a private transfer at €27 per group (4.9/5) and even a VIP lounge at Pinto Martins airport for €48. With a late flight, fit in a short trip or the 4-hour city tour (€120 per group) before heading to the airport.

What the Ceará coast is like

East of Fortaleza, coloured-sand cliffs dominate: at Morro Branco and Praia das Fontes you walk between ochre and white walls, and at Canoa Quebrada the dunes end in reddish cliffs above the sea. West of the city, around Cumbuco, the landscape switches to dunes, lagoons and steady wind, which has made it a kitesurfing favourite. Trips are long because distances are big, but the roads are good and the scenery changes completely from one side of the city to the other.

The very low prices for Cumbuco (€11), Águas Belas (€14) and Canoa Quebrada (€18) mainly cover transport and a guide. Check each activity page to see what is included and which extras, such as buggy rides, boat trips or meals, are paid on the spot.

3-day Fortaleza itinerary

Day 1: the city highlights tour (€24, 3 hours) and an afternoon on Iracema beach and the Beira-Mar promenade. Day 2: the east coast with Morro Branco, Praia das Fontes and Canoa Quebrada (€18). Day 3: the west coast with Cumbuco (€11) or Lagoinha beach (€15).

Activities total: €53 per person over three days (€57 with Lagoinha). Moving on? Take the shared transfer to Jericoacoara (€28) on day four.

How much do day trips from Fortaleza cost?

• Beach day trips with transport and guide: €11–18.
• Buggy or full-itinerary tours: €44–50.
• Jericoacoara day trip: €40.
• Shared transfer to Jericoacoara: €28.
• Private city tour: €120 per group.

The median activity in Fortaleza costs €48, one of the lowest in the catalogue. Prices are indicative and refreshed daily.

Plan your trip

Getting there: Pinto Martins International Airport is within the city; from Europe you usually connect in Lisbon or a major Brazilian city. Getting around: taxis and ride-hailing apps in town; tours with hotel pickup for the beaches, as distances are long. When to go: warm all year; rain falls mostly from roughly February to May, while July to December is drier and windier, the favourite season for kitesurfers.

Where to stay: Meireles and the Beira-Mar promenade for the most practical base, Praia de Iracema for nightlife, Praia do Futuro for swimming and the city’s best-known beach shacks.

Practical tips

• Trips leave early and return around dark: eat breakfast and carry water.
• Wear comfortable shoes for Morro Branco and Canoa Quebrada, where there are steps and cliff paths.
• The Ceará sun is intense year-round: high-SPF sunscreen, hat and sunglasses.
• Bring cash for extras at the beach shacks.
• Read cancellation terms on each activity page before paying.

FAQ

What is the best day trip from Fortaleza?

The most booked is Morro Branco, Praia das Fontes and Canoa Quebrada (from €18, 122 reviews). The top-rated is “Ceará beaches in one day” (€50, 4.8/5).

Can you visit Jericoacoara in a day from Fortaleza?

Yes, on the 18-hour trip (€40). Jeri is much better with two or three nights, and the shared transfer costs €28.

How much is a trip to Canoa Quebrada?

From €18, or from €44 with a buggy ride.

Do the tours have Spanish-speaking guides?

Yes: the Canoa Quebrada, Cumbuco, Águas Belas and Jericoacoara day trips all list a Spanish-speaking guide. For English, check the language options on each page.

How many days do you need in Fortaleza?

Three days cover the city plus one trip on each side of the coast. Add at least two nights in Jericoacoara if you are heading there.

When is the best time to visit Fortaleza?

July to December, when it rains less. Rain is concentrated between February and May.

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

• day trips from Fortaleza
• Canoa Quebrada day trip
• Morro Branco
• Cumbuco
• Águas Belas beach
• Fortaleza buggy tour
• Jericoacoara from Fortaleza
• Fortaleza to Jericoacoara transfer
• things to do in Jericoacoara
• things to do in Brazil

Tours Brasil ranks every activity using real booking and review data so you can choose in minutes. Browse all day trips from Fortaleza, open any activity and pick your date without leaving the site.

• #Canoa Quebrada
• #Ceará
• #Cumbuco
• #Fortaleza
• #Jericoacoara