Brazil's North-East Region
The Ultimate Brazil Travel Guide: Canoa Quebrada
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
Go dancing at the reggae bars on the beach
How many days to spend in Canoa Quebrada?
Spend at least two days to explore the beaches, sand dunes, and take a buggy ride.
Where to stay in Canoa Quebrada
Canoa Quebrada is a small town, and just about anywhere you chose to stay will be walking distance to the beaches. Find cheap accommodation for your stay in Canoa Quebrada, or check out my personal recommendations:
Hotels & Pousadas in Canoa Quebrada
Hotel & Pousada Tatajuba - best for those seeking a luxury experience (see prices)
Anacardium - hotel with a huge lagoon pool (see prices)
Private accommodation
Chalet Paraiso Canoa - beachfront private chalet (see prices)
Suítes Preguiça - private suites with a shared kitchen (see prices)
Backpacker hostels in Canoa Quebrada
Canoa Roots Hostel & Camping - dorms, tents, and a shared kitchen (see prices)
Hostel Flor da Vida - simple accommodation for backpackers (see prices)
The red cliffs of Canoa Quebrada
Where is Canoa Quebrada, Brazil
Quick Facts about Canoa Quebrada
Population of Canoa Quebrada
4,000 (estimate, 2007)
Nickname
People from Canoa Quebrada do not have a specific nickname, however people from Ceará State are called cearenses. Canoa Quebrada is nicknamed Canoa.
Closest airport
The closest airport is located in Fortaleza (FOR)
Main bus terminal
Ônibus para Fortaleza (São Benedito) (map)
How to get to Canoa Quebrada
See all bus connections and find cheap tickets to Canoa Quebrada
How to get to Canoa Quebrada from Fortaleza
Direct busses run from Fortaleza's main bus terminal to Canoa Quebrada, taking around 4 hours. There are also private minivan transfers available with hotel pick-up and drop-off.
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).
Top tours near Canoa Quebrada
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.
Disclaimer: Some of my pages contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a ticket through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the blog and allows me to keep providing helpful content. Thank you for your support!
