Fortaleza and the World Cup in Brazil

The tradition of eating crab every Thursday is already a different plan in a visit to Fortaleza. But, beyond typical cooking, its spectacular beaches are spread out over a large area and are interspersed with fishing villages or nested between dunes that rise several meters above the sea.

Cumbuco beach, photo by Eliana Souza   
Morro Branco beach, photo by Eliana Souza

The best place to go, culturally speaking, is the Dragão do Mar Center of Art and Culture, located next to an area full of restored neoclassical mansions. Theaters, movie theaters, art galleries and museums share space with bars and restaurants. 
Just 30 km away is Beach Park, the largest aquatic park in Latin America, a giant complex that brings together virtually any type of fun in the water, from activities for the family to giant water slides to increase the adrenaline of the visitor. In the Cachaça Museum, owned by the well-known cachaça brand Ypioca, you can learn all about the production process of Brazil's national drink.
Beach Park, photo by Eliana Souza
In the city, you can watch the duel between two large local forces: Ceará and Fortaleza, which are in Brazilian Championship series B and C, respectively. The biggest games used to occur in Presidente Vargas stadium before the Castelão arena reopening.
As one of the first venues to be ready for six games of the World Cup, the Governador Plácido Castelo Stadium, the Castelão, is a local star. It has 63.903 seats and will be on the itinerary of the Brazilian football team over the course of the tournament.

Arena Castelão, photo by Fabio
In the Confederations Cup, the Castelão was the stage for three games. Approved by people and press in that occasion, the beautiful arena will host relevant squads like Brazil, Mexico, bi-champion Uruguay and the tri-champion Germany. No doubt, is one of the most important centers in the group stage. Decisive matches in round of 16 and quarterfinals will take place in Fortaleza as well.
June 14th – Saturday - 04:00pm - Uruguay x Costa Rica (group D)
June 17th -  Tuesday - 04:00pm - Brazil x Mexico (group  A)
June 21st  - Saturday - 04:00pm - Germany x Ghana (group  G)
June 24th-  Tuesday - 05:00pm - Greece x Ivory Coast (group C)
June 29th  - Sunday - 01:00pm – 1st winner of Group B x 2nd winner Group A (round of 16)
July  04th –  Friday - 05:00pm – 1stt group A or 2nd Group B x 1st group C or 2nd Group D (quarterfinals)


The goals of German national team for 2014 World Cup qualification


Mexican squad profile

Eliana Souza - SPin Brazil Tours