Fortaleza

[QUOTE=Bambino]I'd like to be right across from the beach where there is good mongering opportunity. And not too far from the clubs.[/QUOTE]

If you want a beach for swimming, go to Praia do Futuro. If you want to stay close to the clubs, stay in Iracema. Two different places: takes about 20 minutes with a taxi to go from Iracema to Futuro. Have a look:

[url]http://www.flatshop.com.br/localizacao.php[/url]

Iracema is the part of Fortaleza where you will find Kapital, Bikini bar, Europa, Zipi and the like. I am afraid you wouldn't want to go swimming on the beach nearby. But you will find working girls in the barracas of Praia de Meireles. Just keep your eyes open!
Futuro is a much nicer beach, the water is cleaner and you get a better surf. Many of the working girls of Iracema spend the daytime there. But apart from the big barracas on the beach there is nothing to do in Futuro. Yes, on some nights of the week certain barracas have live music and party, but you don't want to spend the night in this somewhat remote area of Fortaleza.

So my personal suggestion would be to get a hotel/appartment in Iracema or Meireles, and take a taxi for the beach or for a party in one of the barracas. But then return to the city!

Just my 2 cents...
Pyjama

[QUOTE=Cachorro]Carry your passport or a notarised copy if you are in Iracema. [/QUOTE]

Thanks guys for the info!

Where can you get a notarised copy of your passport in Fortaleza? And what's its price?

What's the going rate for a taxi Iracema-Futuro? Do taxis use metres (that they try not to use) like in Rio? Are there any public buses that cover that route?

Thanks,

A taxi to Praia do Futuro will cost you around 20R$, maybe 25R$. I didn't use taxis that often, but never did I have any hassle with the meter. Or I just negociated a fixed price before the ride.

Public busses cover that route, no problem! It's the mid-sized white busses with the number XXX52. They are going all the way from downtown Fortaleza via Avenida Presidente Castelo Branco, Avenida Monsenhor Tabosa and Avenida da Abolicao to Praia do Futuro. Pay 1.60 R$ one way. These busses will stop to pick you up where ever you are, just wave and make yourself seen. Don't take the number XXX11 bus, their final destination is no further than the harbour area....

[QUOTE=Gladiator]What's the going rate for a taxi Iracema-Futuro? Do taxis use metres (that they try not to use) like in Rio? Are there any public buses that cover that route?[/QUOTE]
Bus: Caça e Pesca

[QUOTE=Gladiator]Thanks guys for the info!
Where can you get a notarised copy of your passport in Fortaleza? And what's its price?
Thanks,[/QUOTE]
Gladiator, you can get you passport notarized at any Carteria. There are many in Rio (if you are Rio) and in Fortaleza, as well as other cities. The Carteria I used in Fortaleza was in Aldeota (near the Mall). The cost was no more than about R$10.

Simply photo copy your passport first, then present both the copy and the passport to them, at which time they will notarize it. After which you can get it laminated. You may want to reduce the copy to a nice wallet size (or pocket size) for easy transport.

Ciao
Spidy

Why would you waste your time and money to notarise a copy of your passport?

If police REALLY wants to see your documents any copy, notarised or not just won't do. Only original passport is the thing. Just get a colour copy before your trip, keep it with you and if you get into a situation where police needs to see your papers show the copy.
If they insist seeing the original, bring them to your accommodations. Let them wait in the lobby. Never let them into the room. Show the doc. Not having an ID is a minor thing, unless you are under suspect of some more serious crime.

Perkele, where did you get that advice? You are wrong.

If the police really want to hassle you, you will not have the opportunity to go back to your accommodation with them and show the passport. You will be taken in to the station and someone will have to bring your ID.

A notarised copy of your passport should be valid ID for the police check.

This may seem a bit extreme, but if I were in Fortaleza right now I would get the notarised copy. There is a history of mongers being ID checked and hauled into the station when the authorities want to appear strong on law and order. Just read back in this thread and you will see that it has happened within the last year.


[QUOTE=Perkele]Why would you waste your time and money to notarise a copy of your passport?

If police REALLY wants to see your documents any copy, notarised or not just won't do. Only original passport is the thing. Just get a colour copy before your trip, keep it with you and if you get into a situation where police needs to see your papers show the copy.
If they insist seeing the original, bring them to your accommodations. Let them wait in the lobby. Never let them into the room. Show the doc. Not having an ID is a minor thing, unless you are under suspect of some more serious crime.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Perkele]Why would you waste your time and money to notarise a copy of your passport?

If police REALLY wants to see your documents any copy, notarised or not just won't do. Only original passport is the thing. Just get a colour copy before your trip, keep it with you and if you get into a situation where police needs to see your papers show the copy.
If they insist seeing the original, bring them to your accommodations. Let them wait in the lobby. Never let them into the room. Show the doc. Not having an ID is a minor thing, unless you are under suspect of some more serious crime.[/QUOTE]
A notorised copy IS valid for ID. 100% sure. Unnotarised copy isn´t enough.

The cost for a notorised copy is low, less than R$10, and it´s made in 10 minutes. It´s a good thing to always carry with you anywhere in Brazil.

Thanks for the helpful advice!

Perkele, as others have already clarified, a notirised copy is a legally valid document - just a copy doesn't mean shit (think of how easy it is to fake a copy).

Also, if you show the cops a notirised copy they'll know you're not the average newbie, so you're more unlikely to be hassled.

Sure, if they want to set you up they will, even with drugs or whatever, but they'd do so if that was their intention to start with, whetever you show them, so that's a different subject.

Whoa!!!

When has the law changed? During my last visit in Nov 05 the notarised copy wasn't worth of the paper it was printed on.

Please do correct me, but the LAW states that only original PASSPORT or a residence permit with a picture is legal. If police accepts your notarised copy he has made an error.

Anyway I have always had an opportunity to get my docs when needed. Also a copy has been sufficient.

I'm not actually against the idea of having a notarised copy of the passport with you, BUT do not be surprised if you're treated as if you did not have your ID with you. This is absolutely something that POLICE can decide on the spot.

Actually if you have couple of these pink parrot pictured papers with you, they will be accepted as an ID.

last night the police (federal, militar, civil) made a blitz in iracema. closed down (at least for 1 night) mamboo, europa, bikini etc. the reason for the blitz was that **** girls were found in the clubs.

they checked id for lots of gringos. no valid id, pay a fine or simply go behind some cars and bribe them of. they didn´t check my id but i took the opportunity to ask a pf if my notorised passport copy was valid as a id. yes, it was.

the pf i spoke to seemed mostly interested in hazzling italians. partly because they already this year have taken two italians involved in trafficing girls and having sex with minors.

i guess if they really wants to hassle you, by some reason, they will try to do it not mattering what kind of id you carry.

bad business for the girls yesterday.

Thanks guys, fot all the info. It is a tremendous help.

My regular travel buddy won't be making this trip, so I have pledged to do a thorough evaluation of Fortaleza. We've been to Rio and Recife. He was the pioneer.

I will be sure to contribute a thorough report and plenty of photos. I'm a photo nut!

Gentelmen,

I'm having a bit of trouble with the "lay of the land".

I'm checking out hotels and the addresses, as you know, never have cross street info. One map I found shows Beira Mar ( I gather it is the avenue along the beach. But for how far? Is it only along Mucuripe?, or does it stretch all the way past Pra.Iracema and beyond?

And, is Mucuripe any more expensive than Meireles or Iracema? I think I understand that Iracema is not the nicest area, but where the "action" is.

Thanks in advance,

Bambino

Hi Bambino!

For a detailed map of Fortaleza try out [url]www.map24.com[/url] By default setting it will start with Europe. Just click South America, then enter "Fortaleza" as your destination and of course choose number 1 :-) You can zoom in and this map will provide even the smallest street!

Here's a list of hotels in Ceara and Fortaleza [url]http://www.ceara.com.br/ceara/hoteis_pousadas_ceara.htm[/url] The really good hotels indeed are in Mucuripe and Meireles, so be prepared to spend more money there.

Last time I spent 3 nights in [url]http://www.casablancahoteis.com.br/[/url] Good, clean, inexpensive. Staff was very friendly to my garota. Just make sure you book and pay a double room...

I wished I could plan _MY_ next trip :-((

Pyjama

P.J.,

thanks for the links. But I have one more question: Where the hell is Av. Beira Mar?

I went to the map site (it's incredible), but I zoom all the way in and never find it. It looks like the road along the beach is John Kennedy and Abolicao...