I am 1/2 American, 1/2 Brazilian, and 1/2 German, if that makes any sense. I usually travel to extreme southern Brazil, where my family is from, but this time (August, '02), I decided to go somewhere I've never been - Fortaleza in the far Northeast of Brazil. This is a quick monger's report on the local scene, as inclusive as I could make it.

Fortaleza is the state capital of Ceara state, in northeastern Brazil, home of some of the most beautiful beatiful beaches in the country. The city itself has enough, tourist-wise to keep you occupied for a few days, but otherwise is just a jumping-off point to the paradise spots up and down the coast. If you have the time, you can easily hook yourself up with a honey or two in Fortal, and then take them with you to Canoa Quebrada, or Lagoinha, or Jeri for a few days for fun and a nice "gf experience". Back to Fortaleza itself, the tourist/rich area is the three-mile stretch of beachfront condos, hotels, bars, restuarants, clubs and beach from Mucuripe on the east (rightside as you face the ocean) across Meirelles in the middle to Iracema on the west. BTW - pronunciation - Mucuripe=Moo-COO-ree-pee, Meirelles=MEE-rell-ees, and Iracema=Ee-RA-seh-mah. Outside of this strip, the only other area worth visiting is Praia do Futuro, about two miles away to the south-east, which is the best beach in Fortal and is lined with mega-beach cabanas/clubs - imagine Club Med for daytrippers and you get the idea (a couple of good nightspots too, depending on the night of the week - more on that later). Behind Meirelles (the middle of the beachfront strip), their are a few rich nieghborhoods (tons of tall condos), centered on the Aldeota mall. Other than this, Fortaleza is essentially one large slum which you'll want to avoid.... yes, I'm making a terrible generalization (and I had a great afternoon at the public market next to "downtown"), but we're not really interested in sight-seeing and I'm writing a broad overview. Overall, the beachfront strip has the same look/feel as Ipanema in Rio, a bit more modern, the beach is narrower, no mountains, more beachfront bars (hooray!), and lots of coconut palms (shade is good, the sun is a killer in Fortaleza). As for security (everyone's favorite question), I felt really safe in Fortaleza. I had no problem walking around at any hour of the day or night along the bechfront strip and the streets immediately behind it. The area is pretty heavily policed, as this is the tourist area. I stayed in Meirelles (right in the middle), so I walked to most everywhere I wanted to go along the strip, I only took cabs when my feet got tired, not due to safety concerns (of course, I like to walk a lot). You definitely want a cab for going outside of this area, if only to avoid getting lost. Most of the "poor" areas of town are not really dangerous, but as a tourist you don't know which ones are or are not, so don't risk it, take a cab. There are slums right behind Iracema and Mucuripe (the two far ends of the beachfront strip) and there are *very* dangerous favelas at both extreme ends of Praia do Futuro - stay in the middle (it's about 7 miles long), and go by cab. Speaking of cabs, a cheap and fun alternative is the "moto-taxi", you ride on the back of a motorbike (with helmet), weaving in and out of traffic, praying fervently. An average taxi ride will cost you three or four bucks (it can add up), but the moto taxi will cost you only a dollar or two - there is no taximeter on a motorcycle, so negotiate the price beforehand. Of course, late night, half-drunk, stumbling out of a club, be smart and take a normal cab. The best nightclubs are in Iracema, and the most of the "action" tends to happen there too. It's kind of dead during the day, but worth a walk around anyhow, just so you have your bearings at night. A few blocks further west is the Dragao do Mar cultural center, which usually has some shows and has some nice upscale restaurants and clubs (Orbitas is very good). The scene starts happening around sundown, and the "girls" start coming out around 8-9PM. BTW, I stayed at Hotel Marina Praia in Meirelles, they have a website, they are cheap, friendly and clean, 50 meters off the beach (but not beachfront which is way too expensive). There are several other small hotels off the beach that are good, just walk around. Likewise there is Hotel BrisaMar near Iracema. Not as good as where I was, but a bit cheaper and closer to the Iracema action. Cost for these places was about $35 a night. On Abolicao there are plenty of "flats" - fully outfitted apartments for $40 or $45 a night. Generally there is a 3 nuight minimum stay, but you can negotiate. Good place to have a "party" ;-)

OK, on to what interests us, the action. I'll give you my views/experiences. The tourist area of Fortaleza has a roving band of pros, about 200-300 girls ranging from 1's to 10's, averaging 6-8 that moves around between Mierelles and Iracema depending on the night and time of night. The girls are all shades and types imaginable, except for oriental. Prices are ridiculously cheap, 40-50 reals for all the girls except the fashion models (duno why 3's charge as much as 8's, but I just moved on after hearing the price). The 9/10's are charging 100 reals. At the present exchange rates, that means 13-15 bucks a pop, and 25 for the real high end.... Of course, everyting is negotiable, but why not spend a little extra and have an extra-enthusiastic girl? What you DO have to negotiate is length of time, usually the going rate is for 3 or 4 hours, but the girls will stay with you all night for the same price if you do a bit of sweet-talking. The night starts out on the street (this is one town where you can pick up decent girls on the street), but NOT on the beachfront promenade (Ave. Beira Mar/Ave JFK, depending which stretch of beach). The cops have chased the pros off the beachfront for image reasons and they are now all one block back from the beach (Ave Abolicao - AH-boh-lee-son). For the most part,the girls are "hanging out" on Abolicao from the point behind the Othon Hotel (the where the street fair is at on the beachfront) on westwards to Iracema, from about 8PM to midnightish. They are not exactly leaning against lamposts and swinging a purse, but your instincts should be able to detect which girls are the pros - just about every girl you see, except for the ones waiting at the bus-stops. They don't "jump" you, but if you walk up to them and start up a conversation, ("Where is there a good bar around here?" etc), they'll be pretty quick about getting to the point. Actually just saying "Oi" (hi) is enough. You can either cruise the avenue on foot (safe enough) or get a cab to cruise along slowly for you. Certain corners are wall-to-wall girls, most noteably the area in front of the "Giraffa Tour Park." There are also a lot of late-night hole-in-the-wall bars along Abolicao, the girls usually stop in for refreshments, so if you aren't the cruising type, pick a bar and have a few beers till you see what you like. Be mindful that Abolicao is a "normal" avenue, not a red-light district, so you'll also meet people going home from work, going out, taking a break from work, etc. Nevertheless, any pretty young thing that shows up is probably fair game. As you get closer to the Iracema district, there will be more girls, although not neccesarily better quality. (BTW, I ran into some working girls in the late afternoon at one of the lunchcounter places in Iracema... basically, if you keep your eyes open, you'll always find what you are looking for).

As I noted before, Iracema has the clubs. For working girls,there are basically three clubs, and they all move from one to the other as the night goes on. First there is Africa's, about two blocks dead inland from the "Ponte Metallica" pier, at the western end of Iracema. The girls start going there around 9-10PM (they can get in free untill 11). All the girls there are pros, I didn't go there but heard (from some of my "dates") that the action there is kind of weak and the street is "better" at that time of night. Then, a block east, there is Porto Bar (or Oporto, I forget), which is actually a mix of pros and amateurs and a little more upscale. They are free for girls untill midnight, so that's why the "action" gravitates over there. Last, there is the infamous Desigual, right on the beach at the eastern edge of Iracema (3 blocks from Porto Bar). There the girls get in free till 2AM, so the action reaches a fever-pitch around 1ish and then simmers along all night. However, if you haven't found what you like by 2, then there ain't going to be anything new (and you must be blind!). There will still be some girls on the streets after 2AM, but they are mostly Desigual rejects, not worth your time... especially as the night wears on. As for the clubs themselves, they are just like regular discotheques - dark and loud, lots of booze, except all the girls are "available." Start talking to whatever girl strikes your fancy, buy her a drink (always pays to be a gentleman) , dance with her if you like and then negotiate a price. BTW, the drink prices at Desigual's and Porto are not at all exhorbitant (dunno about Africa, but I assume they are OK too), about the same 2-3 reals for a big bottle of beer as anywhere else, ditto for mixed drinks. The entrance fee for guys was 15 or 20 reals (5 or 6 bucks), there was no "exit fee" for leaving with a girl. There is a perfectly good "motel" (Village Motel) about 3 blocks behind Iracema, 30 reals for 3 hours (10 bucks) and the in-room drinks were not overpriced. It's probably your best bet for where to go, no other motels really nearby, and taking a girl back to your hotel is always risky (don't need her to know where you "live", do you?). That's pretty much it as too "how things are done". On a side note, there ARE girls along the beachfront promenade, but every one I saw or spoke with was a 5 and below (usually WAAAY below...scary). However, the beach bars stay open late - usually untill the last customer, and are a nice place to have a bit of dinner. If you are eating alone or with a group of guys, you will probably be approached. For some reason the gals working the beach itself are much better caliber than there sisters 20 meters away on the sidewalk, go figure. Likewise, any good-looking girl alone or with a girlpal hanging out on the beach after about 3PM is a good possibility for a "date." If you are interested, invite her/them for a beer and see what happens. They might NOT be pros, so don't assume, then again they may be interested in you anyhow, just go with the flow.

A digression, or maybe not, as I wrote up above, it pays to be a gentleman, even with the pros. The local girls are very used to pushy foreigners (especially Italians, for whatever reason) flashing money and basically treating them like meat. They'll take the money, but they won't exactly give you a gf experience, or even much enthusiasm. If you've got an attitude, their attitude will be "let's get this over with." However, it costs you next to nothing to be a nice guy, treat all the girls with respect and dignity. Ask them how they are, where they are from, strike up a conversation, invite them for a drink and a snack, even if you are on your way to a motel with them. They've been standing on the street for hours (or hopping between clubs), and a bowl of "caldo" (soup) or a misto (hot sandwich) is very appreciated. For some reason, all the girls that I was with (pros and non) love Campari. I hate the stuff, but let them order themselves a drink (let them drink in the Motel too, it's cheap - as long as everyone stays away from the imported Whiskeys and Chamagne - and it gets them "in the mood"). These girls, for the most part, are very poor, and are turning tricks so they can get a few extra luxuries in their life (or sometimes,unfortuantely just to survive). So give them the few extra luxuries they are looking for. If you go out with them later in the day (a distinct possibility), take them shopping a little. The $20 bucks you'll wind up spending will be amply repaid. The bottom line is, everyone wants a little caring (OK, so I'm being corny). Sure, for you it's about fulfilling your sexual fantasies, and for them it's all about the benjamins, but a little caring helps pave the way and make it all much nicer. Also, taking the time to have a drink or so with the girl you are interested in will give you a good notion of how your night with her is going to be - generally the girls who were very warm and friendly with me while we were "hanging out" were incredible in bed. On the other hand , a few girls that I initially thought would be great turned out to be cold fish once I was took the tie to talk to them. I didn't bother to go any further than that. Admitedly, I speak fluent Portuguese, but even without Portuguese, you should be able to have some level of interaction (besides sexual). Besides which , I wound up spending the night with a few girls "for free" just by bing a nice guy. Ok, if you want to be an accountant, I actually wound up spending about the same amount of money as I did with the pros, once you include food and presents, but it's lots of fun.

Back to practical matters, and this is very important. ALL girls must show their ID cards when entering motels, clubs, and/or your hotel. This is to prevent sex with minors (under 18). As has been noted in many other Brazil reports on the Internet, do NOT go on "dates" with minors, it's a good way to wind up in a Brazilian jail. All the pros carry their ID's and will have no problem showing them to you. Ask for them at some point after negotiating a price ("How old are you? Can I see your carteira - CAR-tear-ah?"). Check the birthdate (data de nascimento). It's for your protection as much as hers. Speaking of which, I saw about a dozen TV's during my stay - hanging out at the same clubs and streetcorners as the regular gals. Dunno about you, but no thanks for me! It's actually pretty easy to be fooled - the first one I saw I never would have suspected untill my "date" told me. The TV's were pretty stunning! In fact, that's the easiest way to tell - they are a bit TOO stunning, too good to be true. Also, the average Ceara gal is pretty short (5'2") and all the TV's I saw were supiciously tall. Not to mention the jaw is a bit too square and you can usually see an Adam's apple. However, thanks to the ID cards, you don't have to play the guessing game. If the ID picture is a guy....run! Of course, if that is your thang, then have fun. ANyway, whatever happens. check ID cards and use a condom.

Also, the "normal" club scene. Every night of the week there is a "hot" club. Piratas on Monday..Orbitas on Thursday...Ze do Carangueijo down in Praia do Futuro on Friday. Ask around. Also, the pro action is kind of dead on Saturday and Sunday (weekends, most of the customers are out with their regular girlfriends and most of the girls with their boyfriends if they've got them). Either get yourslef a long-term date on Friday or check out the newspaper for outcall services, and "saunas." There is one gentlemen's club - www.abelle.com.br - dind't try it, but looks good. And kind of dead doesn't mean totally, where there is a will there is a way!

Last of all, if you like the girl you just spent the night with (and vice-versa), if you at all went out of your way to be a nice guy, it's pretty easy to set up an longer stay with her. Generally all she will want is for you to cover her expenses and maybe a "tip" at the end (the nice way to say tip is an "agrado" - ah-GrAH-do - a "gratification" - generally $10 or $20 a day, depending on what you all did together). Take her to Praia do Futuro for the day, I saw plenty of "gringos" with stunning locals over there (BTW, you *won't* find any unattached pros over there, the clubs chase them off) . It's fun, the girl makes sure to get you the best food, orders your drinks, plays with you in the surf, slops suntan lotion on you, etc., and then when you are all beached out you head home with her. Later on, she won't be at all pissed if you say, "it's been great, see you when I see you" and head back to Iracema. Up to you. If you really hit it off, invite her over to Canoa Quebrada, or Lagoinha, or Jericoacoara for a few days. Again, you'll have a great time, and the girls are VERY easygoing. If you see some other chick you like, they won't be jealous. Worse comes to worst, give them a nice tip and a bus ticket back to Fortaleza. Again, a pratical note, many of these girls have children (the people in Ceara have kids very early, 15 or 16 year old mothers is not uncommon). Often, that's why they are turning tricks. It's a fact of life, accept it. So the girls may not be able to spend more time with you becuase of their kids. Usually a relative is taking care of the kids during the night, but they may have no other way to take care of them during the day. Be upfront about it. Ask. Offer to help with some "babysitting" money for a relative. Use your head. Tell her to go home, take care of business, and then meet you later. Even so, sometimes practical matters means that she just can't spend more time with you. Oh well, move on. (BTW, don't go home with her - believe me, it's too grim and will spoil the fantasy - send a taxi to get her, whatever. You gotta be heartless sometimes too).

Phew! Enough rambling. If you go to Fortaleza, have a great time! Most of what I wrote, except for site-specific information applies to most anywhere in Brazil. Remember that there is a lot in Brazil besides the working girl action, take the time to open your eyes and LIVE in the place. And use condoms!

That's a great report, Badseed. Thanks!

Great info Badseed. It is nice to hear of other monger destinations in Brazil other than the traditional Rio/Sao Paulo playgrounds. Keep up the good job!

Good info, thanks.

A word of caution on the area around the Africa bar, which is only up the block from the main tourist area of Iracema. I walked up that block around 9pm one night and when I walked past a little sidewalk bar/snack counter some young guy looked me up and down (I was wearing nice clothes, as I was heading for the cultural plaza a few blocks away in attempt to score some of the non-pro stuff) and walked up to me and asked me for a real for a beer. His two buddies were behind him, no one looked friendly. I said I didn't understand just to buy myself time or hopefully he'd give up and leave me alone. He repeated his pitch, this time using 'dollar' instead of real. I reached into my pocket, pulled out a real, handed it to him and walked away, no pleasantries involved. He looked kind of surprised; my guess is he/they were expecting me to pull out a wallet or billfold, and a more lucrative form of shakedown would have ensued. I'm a native New Yorker and we don't take these things well, but this was a case where 40 cents (at that time) was a wise investment.

Thanks for valuable info on Fortaleza Badseed.

Badseed, great report! You guys are tempting me to learn Portuguese next!

Saunas = termas, correct?

This place sounds fun. Anyone have opinions on safety relative to Rio and Sao Paolo or perhaps other locations in Brazil?

Any idea of round trip ticket prices to Fortaleza from Rio or SP?

Thanks for the kudos. I'm just discovering this forum and didn't even know that people replied to the trip reports, so sorry for not writing sooner. Athos and anyone else from the WSG forum, you know who I am. This forum is definitely cooler. ;-)

d'Artagnan: Yes, Termas (rio) = Saunas (most of brazil) = Clinicas (Sao Paulo). AS for safety, the beach areas - tourist areas - of Fortaleza are very safe, especially as compared to Rio and Sampa. At no time in Fortaleza did I feel at all threatened for my safetyand I was walking around at all hours of the day and night. Round trip tickets, Rio/Sao Paulo to Fortalzea can be pretty pricey - US$200-300 and up to almost as expensive as NYC-GIG. But, assuming you are coming from the States, you can buy your ticket to Fortaleza beforehand as partof your international flight at a much cheaper price. All international flights from the States go to Sao Paulo or Rio, and Sao Paulo is the hub for any internal travel. So, for instance, you can buy a ticket NYC-FOR for about $70 more than NYC-GRU (Sao Paulo). The shitty part is that you have to fly all the way to GRU and then almost a third of the way back again (i.e 8 hours NYC-GRU, 3 hours GRU-FOR, not to mention waiting at the airport. On the other hand, what you can do (what I did) is include a layover in Sao Paulo and then go somewhere else first. So you could do NYC-GRU, have a five day layover, either sample Sampa or hop over to Rio (should cost you about $75 plane fare), then return to GRU and continue your "international" flight to FOR. Works fine....

Enjoy!

BadSeed

Oh.. and Bendejo, you did the right thing. The only thing I might have done differently is to not even hand the real to the guy, just let it drop to the ground. And just because Fortaleza is relatively safe doesn't mean that you don't have to keep your wits about you.

Also,if you go there, expect an ENDLESS barrage of people trying to sell you stuff. In fact streetvendors are a pest throughout the Nordeste tourist cities. After a while you learn not even to talk to them (unless they have something that really intersts you). You give them a little handwave, a little shake of the head and maybe "Nao Obrigado".. if you show them any interest they will hound you!

BadSeed

Funny. Wherever I go I love the ventures where no other tourist goes.

When I was in Fortaleza, I did not take a single girl out of Africa or Disigual. I went there only once, and the loud music was enough to drive me out instantly. Maybe I should have brought my earplugs, as a bit of cotton was insufficient.

At the first glance, the girls did not look great. Also I am not a night person, this is why I did not try more often

So, maybe I lost some opportunities there.

What I loved in Fortaleza were the several dozen casas. You need to speak portuguese, read the classifieds in the local newspaper. Then you call and inquire the address.

The casas are spread out all over town (so you need a map and a taxi driver.) They are very clean, reasonably priced (I think a few years ago it was R$ 20 to 100, typically R$ 50 - 60 for an hour. Very simple natural not hardened girls.

badseed did you go to a private school?iggy sca.

Huh? That sure was from left-field. I'll answer, but please explain why the question.. ;-)

I went to Catholic school for 6 years (which left me an emotional cripple for life), public school for 6 years, and then a big fancy-schmancy Ivy League university (not worth the money! Fortunately I went on scholarship... and the girls were all fugly).

BS

sorry about that! when i read about your heritage i came to think of the ancient tom lehrer song "new math" so for all of you just disregard what i write.iggy sca

Ahn, I gotcha. 1/2+1/2+1/2=?, oh well, so my math is fuzzy....