Fortaleza

4y living here. I love this city. Walking by beira mar beach on sunset is my favorite activity. It was recently renewed, gigantic walking paths with several bars. The landscape is not as dramatic as rio, also less interesting, smaller, but I love how much more chill it is, for close to half the price.

A bit too hot for most (but better than all other northeast capitals, all year round 32C during the day, 27 at night), so just like Thailand during the day you do beach club or shopping mall or work, then go outside by sunset. I love crocobeach beach club; many will prefer orbita blue for the trendy/party vibes. If you like good service while on the beach, Fortaleza wins versus rio.

Despite having 4mil habitants and touristy, it feels small. Not enough novelty for more than a few days. Also not many things to do nearby: cumbuco is a kite surf hotspot 45min away; jericoacoara is amazing, but 5h away.

As a male (and brazillian), in 4y I can't remember a single situation where I felt danger - so much that I felt ok to buy a luxury car. Of course I live in the main area (Meireles), but I do go daily to Fatima, Praia do Futuro, Iracema, Aldeota, Cocó and never felt not safe. Check travellers youtube videos. I'd be careful using macbooks outside; a couple times I did on the pool area on crocobeach though, and I see a lot of people doing it on cafes. Most of the violence happens on far suburbs 20km away, where drug gangs fight for territory. A lot of beggers though. There's a review here talking about rats and bad health, that's nonsense. Also beira mar and praia do futuro water color is a nice green, no odors, just beautiful. Just check on youtube.

All in all, it's a beautiful cheap place to spend some time. Way better than other northeast capitals, although Salvador is more interesting. A shame it is a bit far (rio, sao paulo, 3h flight), and jericoacoara, despite maybe cooler than pipa, is very far (5h by car).