Fortaleza

Helpful tourist police "Delegacia do Turista" at Avenida Historiador Raimundo Girao 805, phone 3101 2488, just by Hotel Travel Iracema formerly Othon, Praia Iracema. Some English spoken. 24 hours.

There are countless stories of single foreign men being robbed by prostitutes, apparent or not, they take back to their rooms. Reportedly they sometimes employ a drug to knock victims out, otherwise they just rely on your voluntarily exagerrated alcohol/drug consumption. Be aware that most all hotels and apartment buildings will register visitors, particularly late night ones. As soon as you are aware of missing valuables, get the reception to pass you the data of the suspect and go straight to see the police, above. The sooner you act, the greater the chance of getting your stuff back. Money mostly evaporates instantly, though.

Although most commercial districts of the city are fairly safe, including the center and the tourist area around Beira Mar, pickpocketing, bag-snatching and other non-violent robberies are always a possibility. Never flash valuables and be aware beggars that keep touching you.

Praia do Futuro is bordered by one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in town, the Serviluz slum. Under no circumstances walk through deserted areas of this beach, even if moving between two crowded places. Bus stops are notoriously robbery-ridden after sunset -even if it's only 5:45 PM.

There have been a number of cases where foreigner have been detained at the airport with large amounts of drugs, particularly cocaine, on their way out of the country. The federal police is working hard: Don't even think about it!

If you travel west from Fortaleza, into the states of Maranhão, Pará or further, Brazilian authorities recommend that you get a yellow fever vaccination. An International Certificate of Vaccination (http://www.who.int/csr/ih...) can be issued if you have the shot taken at the airport or in the city center. If you already have your booklet, and only need a new shot and the corresponding entry, this is best done at the medical center at Avenida Antonio Justa, one block from Pão de Açucar, weekdays 7 AM to 4:30 PM, free of charge.

 

There are plenty of laundries around. Those which charge per kg mostly R$ 6-10 are somewhat cheaper than those which charge per garment. Your clothes are normally ready next day. There is one single self-service laundry:

Lav e Lev

at Avenida Abolição just by the corner of Avendida Desembaragador Moreira. R$ 9,50 to wash a big load, then typically R$ 19 to dry it. Turns out cheaper, plus you have it all ready in less than 2 hours. Add R$ 1,50 per garment for ironing. Monday - Friday until 7 PM, Saturday until 2.

Laundromat

at the corner of Av. Abolição and Rua Paulo Barros washes and dries a small load for R$ 17, ready within 24 hours, often much sooner.

Changing cash

EUR or USD into BRL is done close to interbank rates, meaning that it's better value than cash advances on credit or debit cards. Many travel agencies exchange money, -you mostly get slightly better rates moving away from Beira Mar.

For visa extensions and any other issue between a foreigner and the Polícia Federal, head to their office at Rua Paula Rodrigues 304, Bairro de Fátima, near the main bus station. Open Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 6 PM. Bus 099 Siqueira - Mucuripe / Barão de Studart to/from Avenida Abolição.

 

Fortaleza and all neighbouring municipalities share a telephone area code: 85

free Wi-Fi

There is a free Wi-Fi zone in the café of the 24-hour Pao de Acucar supermarket at Avenida Abolicao.

post offices

Several post offices along or near Beira Mar: Right in front of the Praia Iracema church; on Av. Monsenhor Tabosa just down from Ideal Clube; a small booth almost in the sand in front of Clube Nautico; in the mall of Scala Residence.