Seniors Set to Work on Their Portuguese

Fortaleza (Fortress) is the state capital of Ceará, located in northeast Brazil. With a population close to 2.3 million (metropolitan region over 3.4 million), Fortaleza is the 5th largest city in Brazil. Senior travelers, can you name any of the top four?I’ve been to Brazil…kind of… sneaking in to see Iguazu Falls from Argentina.  We flew into Sao Paolo on our way to Paraguay and on to our friends in Corrientes, Argentina.

However I don’t know much else about the country, but I do want to know more about Fortaleza. I discovered that it was “way up north” on the map. Fortaleza was officially founded in 1726 and its oldest remaining buildings have been well cared far.

The City Rocks

Fortaleza is a major tourist destination for the domestic Brazilian market. For you senior night owls, nightlife in Fortaleza centers around local Forro music and dancing or fine dining. Over the last four years several high quality restaurants have opened up as the city raises it standards generally and in particular with the world cup in view.

Fortaleza has about 16 miles of urban beaches. Despite being one of smallest states in Brazil, Ceará has one of the longest coastlines in the country.

Seniors Will Enjoy Fortaleza

As well as being an important economic hub, Fortaleza is also known for its excellent tourism opportunities, boasting numerous splendid beaches, an alluring nightlife and a heaving off-season carnival each July. Much history is present within the Centro area of Fortaleza, although it is understandably the beaches that serve as the biggest magnet for tourists.

In recent years, the fame of Fortaleza has been gaining the world, and the number of Europeans, North and South American travelers coming to Ceará has grown fast.

Senior visitors enjoy beautiful and historic buildings such as the Metropolitan Cathedral, the President Castelo Branco Mausoleum and the Center of Tourism.

Beaches Are Fortaleza’s Attraction

Beaches are the top draw in this sunny, rapidly developing city, particularly bohemian, party-hearty Iracema beach, family-friendly Meireles beach, fishing and boating base camp Mucuripe and low-key Praia do Futuro.

Many of the biggest attractions in Fortaleza relate directly to its innumerable beaches, generous coastline and plentiful sunshine, with beach buggy tours popular with holiday makers. Senior tourists find fun on the beaches of Fortaleza all day long.

 Stalls at the Mercado Central or Feirinha Beira Mar brim with local handicrafts, ranging from ceramics to lacework and leather goods. The Dutch-built Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Assunção in the city center, constructed in 1649, marks the spot where Fortaleza originated.

TripAdvisor will fix you up with 83 attractions not to be missed. I’ll say “adeus” with a last shot called Fortaleza Info that will fill in your itinerary very well.  Enjoy your visit.  jeb