This city seems to be popular with local travellers, however as an international traveller there are much better options in Brazil.
If beach is your thing, it is the only part of Fortaleza worth seeing.
Fortaleza does live up to it's name, best to keep yourself in the fortress of your hotel.
The most dangeropus city i have visited in 6 months of travelling in Brazil.

As every place in Northeast of Brazil, Fortaleza have amazing beaches. But the best thing to do is going around the city - with 1-2 hours trips, you'll see WONDERFUL places, like Cumbuco and Canoa Quebrada.

Can't miss the fishmarket, at the end of Beira Mar Avenue. There you can buy and taste fresh seafood - there are barracks for buying and for preparing, all of them for a cheap price.

I have been travelling around Asia for the last 10 years, including Bali, Thailand, Honk Kong, etc until I discovered Fortaleza; Indeed a real treasure!

I contacted a local a travel agency while I was in Brazil and purchased a round trip from Rio to Fortaleza paying in "Reais" (local currency). I stayed for 2 weeks in a 5 Star Hotel ...

It's a big city, with strong social unequality (like most of latin american big cities), and criminality at some areas (but nothing like Rio!). At Aldeota and other rich areas it's not dangerous at all, specially at daylight (at night you must be a little more carefull, it's not good to walk on the streets with less than 3 other people ...

I am from Fortaleza and since 1998 I did not have been there, but I am sure a lots of things have change since my last visit there in 1998. Well, first, I love the city, the people are very kind and friendly. I love the night too, a lots of options, the food, and sure the Beaches!!wowowow I love them, and know all of them, but my prefer one is JERICOACARA...so, if you have the chance to go there, go, I am sure you will not be disapointed...

I spent one month in Fortaleza in 2003 and now I am about to spent the new year's day 2005-2006.
I am italian by the way.
I know there is a lot of criminality over ther but once you know how to move around and what to do (an not to do) it is very nice.
The people is so friendly..
But you have to rent a car and visit some other places like Jericoacoara or lagoinya.
Matteo Cavalieri

I was born in Fortaleza and came to the states in 2002. Every thing is great in this city but look forward to the beaches(lots-o-fun). Wonderful clubs and food, great people to meet.

I lived in fortaleza for four months as a voluntary english teacher. I found the people incredibly warm and very very curious about me and where i was from. I used alot of public transport and lived with a brazilian family so i feel i got a view of what it is actually like to live in fortaleza and not just visit it as a tourist.

My first visit to fortaleza was two years ago, and I loved it. Traveling from London were I live, it is one of the most beautiful citys in the world, so beautiful that I now own a large pice of land near porto das dunas and have built five villas to rent out to tourists. my dream is to show other people this area of brazil, the good, bad and the ...