Best Time to Visit Fortaleza

Rainy season: January to May

Temperatures barely move here all year, so the season is really about rain. From February to May it's wet and grey. March and April are the worst, with rain on about 26 or 27 days each month. Showers are often heavy, and the sun peeks out for only about three hours a day.

It's still warm, so the beach isn't off the table. But you'll spend more time under the umbrellas of Praia de Iracema's bars than in the sea. January is the mildest of the wet months. If you want low prices and quiet streets, this is when you get them. Just expect to dodge downpours on the way to Mercado Central.

July to December: the sweet spot

This is the dry season, and it's the best time to come. August to November is the driest stretch, with almost no rain at all. Sun is strong, with 8 to 9.5 hours a day in August, September and October. The wind picks up too, which keeps afternoons from feeling sticky.

Beach days work best now. Take a buggy ride over the dunes at Cumbuco, or head east to Morro Branco and Canoa Quebrada, known for their coloured cliffs. Kitesurfers love this wind, so Cumbuco and Preá are busy with them. Hungry? Try fresh crab or grilled fish at the beach huts (barracas) on Praia do Futuro.

July is a good-value shoulder month, with a few showers left over. December is warm and still mostly dry, but showers return.

Crowds and events

Brazilian school holidays run through July and again from mid-December to February. That makes high season. Hotels fill up, and the beachfront gets lively. Fortaleza is also a big domestic getaway at New Year, so book early for that week if you plan to come then.

Carnival falls in February or early March, and Fortaleza's big street party is Fortal, a huge out-of-season carnival usually held in July. It's a fun reason to visit, but it does push up prices and crowds.

If you hate crowds, aim for September or October. You'll get the driest weather and quieter beaches. Travelling with kids? July and December are easiest for school calendars, and the weather still behaves.