Fortaleza

Museu da Cachaça

In neighboring Maranguape is the Cachaça Museum, hosted by Ypióca (http://www.ypioca.com.br), one of the country's most widespread brands.

Museu Senzala Negro Liberato

A monument of slavery and liberation, with a nearby cachaça-destillery. On the main highway just outside Redenção, some 60 km from Fortaleza

out-of-town beaches

Any tour agency, and a number of pushers along Beira Mar, can offer you daytrips, and longer packages, to outlying beaches. The one thing they have in common is the price, -it's fixed in between them, and it's far too expensive. Oceanview (http://www.oceanviewturis...) is old in the game and has a site with prices. If you are a group of 3-4 persons, a taxi can mostly be negotiated for less.

Cumbuco

is a small fishing village, grown into a kite-surfers' paradise. Fresh water lakes with swimming nearby. Dune buggy tours. Horseback riding along the beach. A traditional fishing raft, Jangada, gives you a postcard view of the coastline. Buses from Avenida Abolição R$ 4,50.

Jericoacoara

is among Brazil's finest, and hence makes its way into any global listing. Buses changing to trucks in Jijocatwice daily (http://www.redencaoonline...) outside Praiano Palace Hotel at Beira Mar.

Canoa Quebrada

used to be quite rustic, attracting mostly hippies. Now it's slowly growing into a resort town. Can be done as a day trip R$ 40, many agencies, but is worth a longer stay, particularly for its weekend nightlife.

Some 16 km outside Fortaleza, at the beach of Porto das Dunas, is a huge water park with slides and other wet interactive fun, Beach Park (http://www.beachpark.com....). Stiffly priced at R$ 120 for a day. The beach right outside the park is very nice, and although you pay nothing to walk in the sand, food and drinks are 2-3 times city prices.