Brazil's North-East Region
Canoa Quebrada Travel Guide
Iconic red sand cliffs line this beautiful beach, which is a hotspot for paragliding.
Canoa Quebrada is a picturesque beach town in Ceará, famous for its dramatic red cliffs, vast sand dunes, and laid-back atmosphere. Originally a fishing village, it has become a popular destination for adventure sports like kite surfing and dune buggy rides. Its crescent moon and star symbol, carved into the cliffs, is a famous local landmark.
Top 5 Things to See & Do in Canoa Quebrada
• Visit the iconic Red Cliffs
• Relax at Praia de Canoa Quebrada
• Take a buggy ride along the dunes
• Try paragliding off the cliffs
• Have a dance at the reggae bars on the beach
Where to stay in Canoa Quebrada
Find cheap accommodation for your stay in Canoa Quebrada, or check out my personal recommendations:
Hotels Pousadas (Guesthouse)
Hotel & Pousada Tatajuba - best for those seeking a luxury experience (see prices)
Anacardium - hotel with a huge lagoon pool (see prices)
Private accomodation
Chalet Paraiso Canoa - beachfront private chalet (see prices)
Suítes Preguiça - private suites with a shared kitchen (see prices)
Backpacker Hostels
Canoa Roots Hostel & Camping - dorms, tents, and a shared kitchen (see prices)
Hostel Flor da Vida - simple accommodation for backpackers (see prices)
Where is Canoa Quebrada, Brazil
Closest airport
The closest airport is located in Fortaleza (FOR)
Main bus terminal
Ônibus para Fortaleza (São Benedito)
N/A
Main ports
How to get to Canoa Quebrada
How to get to Canoa Quebrada from Fortaleza
Direct busses run from Fortaleza to Canoa Quebrada, taking around 4 hours.
In the case that the direct bus is sold out, take a bus for around 3 hours to Aracati (tickets & timetable). Then take a minivan to Canoa Quebrada. The minivan departs from the front of the church, called Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário. It takes around 20 minutes and costs R$4.
How to get to Canoa Quebrada from Natal
There is currently no direct bus to Canoa Quebrada from Natal. From Natal, take a bus to Aracati (6 hours), and then take the minivan to Canoa Quebrada following the instructions above (tickets & timetable).
How to get around Canoa Quebrada
Canoa Quebrada is small and can easily by visited on foot. The beach, paragliding cliffs, and the best sand-dune to watch the sunset are all a short walk from the town center.
Things to know before you go
Canoa Quebrada is famous for paragliding. For those not game to try, you can watch the para gliders fly over the main beach all day.
By night, Canoa Quebrada has lively nightlife that takes over the town, with dancers taking over the bars and stalls setting up along the main street to sell drinks. The party moves down to the bars on the beach later in the night.
Budget accommodation options, such as backpacker hostels, are very limited in Canoa Quebrada.
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