I was determined to find a city that I liked better than Fortaleza on this trip to Brazil.

But it didn’t happen.

True, I traveled to several new hotspots on this visit that will be perfect for a lot of readers. João Pessoa will attract retirees and second-home buyers with its laid back, sophisticated ambiance and great beaches. The island of Itamaracá has a lush tropical landscape with affordable beachfront properties. Maybe you’ll find historic São Luiz–a World Heritage site–irresistible for its colonial historic center, reggae charm and small business opportunities. Natal will attract many to its seaside nightlife, or to the great buys on its north beaches.

But Fortaleza had the best blend of everything. In my eye, it’s still the sparkling jewel of Brazil’s northeast coast.

First of all, I didn’t find any better weather, anywhere: year-round balmy temperatures moderated by an ocean breeze, warm calm waters and less-than-average rainfall. The beaches in town are great, and in fact, we swam every day. And the beaches to the north and south of town are as beautiful as any in Brazil.

Fortaleza–capital of the state of Ceará–claims to be the #1 destination for Brazilian tourists, and it’s easy to see why.

The waterfront boardwalk is active, up-beat, and busy day and night. And its artisan fair will invite you to browse for days, while fishermen tempt you daily with their fresh catch. The nightlife is world-renowned, and there are more first-rate restaurants than you could visit in a year of dining out.

And apart from the beach, you’ll find attractive, tree-lined neighborhoods, and appreciate the modern, clean lines of its new architecture. There are plenty of places around the city where you can dine in a quiet restaurant that seldom sees a tourist, or relax with a cappuccino and the morning paper in an outdoor café. There are even a few large, modern shopping malls. And I’ve always enjoyed visiting Fortaleza’s usually-overlooked historic colonial center, and spending a few hours in its huge central market known as Mercado Central.

But the beachfront in Fortaleza is definitely the big draw. In years of traveling in Latin America, I’ve never seen anything that compares. Pre-construction deals are probably the best bet for a pure investor, but if you’d like your own place on one of the world’s best beachfronts, you’ll find it’s not that expensive–you could get something right on the water for less than $40,000 that would be a great place to stay while you’re here short-term.

I’ll be returning to Fortaleza June 1-3 with Ronan McMahon and some of the world’s best international real estate investment experts. I hope you can join us.

Lee Harrison
Roving Latin America Editor, International Living

To read more IL articles on Brazil, see:

Large colonial homes by the sea for $108,200

Beachfront property in Brazil for under $35,000