Fortaleza Shopping

This is a high shopping centre with many top quality stores that you will find in all major cities. The food hall offers good quality at local prices, although fro breakfast I prefer the little cafe area in the Continente Hipermarket. A good half day out to get round enough of this place to fill your suitcase. Little pricey in some shops so be selective.

For those needing to contact home there is one of the few internet cafes outside of major hotels located just outside the contienente hipermarket

What to buy: Lots of everything !

What to pay: Not as much as home

A little north from the toursit centre and the colonial station is an excellent area for experiencing the real shopping experience of Fortaleza. Roads are narrow, and packed packed packed with shops. If you want a real taste of how local people live then avoid the Mercado Central and go to this area where you will see hundred or even thousands of people engaged in their daily commerce. A real treat

What to buy: As a tourist avoid electrical good. This is not because of quality but only if you have a problem then it is a long way to bring them back so better to buy this sort of stuff at home. Remember that whilst Brazil is cheaper than Europe and North America, you do get what you pay for in relative terms. If you want a dirt cheap pair of shoes they will last you a few weeks, otherwise spend more money and get better quality

This is one of the biggest Malls in Fortaleza, and one of the nicest ones too. It is also located in a very nice area of the city, Aldeota. It is close to most of the hotels so if you are staying at a hotel on Beira mar it is just up the street (R$5.00 by taxi or R$1.50 by bus) if you are staying at Praia do Futuro it is just down Ave. Santos Dumont. Either way when you get to the big turn about with the statue in the middle you are there.

There is every kind of shop that you can think of and every kind of food available in the food court. There are game places, a movie theater and it is all in the comfort of Air Conditioning.

What to buy: This mall offers a wide variety of commercially produced items, it is not a craft mall or anything like that if that is what your looking for check out my other shopping tips. This mall is going to have stuff at an average mall price, you probably are not going to find any great deals but prices will be clearly marked and they will not ask for more from Gringos.

What to pay: What are you buying? It all depends on what your buying.

There is a big market just along Av Beira Mar that sells lots of crafts and everything else under the tropical sun! The market is open until night, and there's always a lot of people around. It feels very safe to be there even at night.

What to buy: crafts, tshirts, skirts, bikinis, earrings, necklaces, sandals, paintings, arts, everything under the sun!

The local artists and vendors set up their colourful "shops" every night between 5 and 10 pm in front of the beach strip just a little west and within walking distance of the Ponta Mar hotel.

What to buy: There is a great variety of hand made crafts, oil paintings, clothing, jewellery, foot wear and some foods.

What to pay: Prices are low to begin with, but one can still get better bargains if so inclined.

At the Super Mercado one can buy fabulous items at even more fabulous prices. From handmade clothing, to crafts, oilpaintings to shoes, food to jewellery and most anything in between.
The market is conveniantly l.ocated not far from the beach.

Fortaleza’s new Central Market is a modern building bringing many stands, drugstore, restaurants and snack bars. The typical handicraft is the great attraction.
Open from Mondays through Fridays, from 8am to 6:30pm, and on Saturdays up to 4pm. Sometimes on Sundays, up to noon.

.... is pretty much available in Fortaleza. There are some super-modern malls where one can find stores that are no different than in any large city. From designer sunglasses for 1000 Reais to custom made Lycra swimsuits for about 60. Most also have a nice food-court to have a lunch, all of course in an air-conditioned environment. These malls are in stark contrast to many of the local poor settlements. Armed security of course everywhere. I felt like in Fort Knox, lol.

What to buy: Shoes seem to be a good bargain, of good quality soft leather. Electronics I found expensive compared to Toronto.

The "Mercado Central" is another terriffic place to buy many things, mostly handmade. Clothing, shoes, T-shirts, jewellery and much more all at prices almost too low, especially children clothing. I bought some wonderful suits and dresses for my 2 little grandkids, at about 7-8 reais each, unbelievable and good quality.

What to pay: MUCH less than I am used to. A Beer on the beach about 1.50 reais, a coke 1, so is the ever refreshing iced Coconut-water, a whole refrigerated coconut with a hole on top and a straw to drink the cool water. A decent dinner for 2 with refreshments / alcohol can be had for around 30-60 Reais.