This guide is for you if you want to see the coloured cliffs of Ceará without spending most of the day in a car. Morro Branco and Praia das Fontes are in Beberibe, about an hour and a half east of Fortaleza, and the day is back by mid-afternoon. Here is what to know before you go: what has changed at Praia das Fontes, how the labyrinth works, and who this day suits best.
First, the cave at Praia das Fontes is closed
You may have seen photographs of the Gruta Mãe D'Água, a small cave at the foot of the cliffs at Praia das Fontes. The local civil defence closed it in 2022 because of the risk of collapse. On 16 June 2026 part of it did collapse. No one was hurt, and the town council put the cause down to natural erosion by the tides against the cliff.
The council says access stays forbidden until a new technical assessment, and it asks visitors to respect the signs and keep their distance. You can still see the cliffs and the springs at Praia das Fontes from the beach. Just do not expect to go into the cave, and do not cross the barriers.
When to go
Ceará's main rains fall between February and May. The rest of the year is the drier season, which is when you want to be walking on soft sand between cliff walls.
The cliffs need some care in any season. Morro Branco and Praia das Fontes are both on the state's official list of cliffs at risk of collapse. A state contingency plan for cliff areas says falls are hard to predict and recommends warning signs at the top and the base of busy cliffs. Whatever the month, follow those signs, and do not sit or shelter right under a cliff face on the beach.
How the day fits together
You are collected at 07:00 and reach Morro Branco, about 88 kilometres east, at around 08:30. That early arrival is worth having: the labyrinth is sand and sun, and the morning is the cooler part of the day.
You have about two and a half hours at Morro Branco. The labyrinth walk itself takes about an hour. The rest is for the wide beach below and whatever pace your group wants.
Praia das Fontes is under ten minutes away. You arrive at about 11:00, see the fresh water running out of the cliff face onto the sand, and have time on the beach before lunch at a beach restaurant at 12:30. You start back at 13:30 and are at your hotel at about 15:00, with the afternoon and evening free in Fortaleza.
The vehicle is yours, so the times can move. Stay longer at one beach and shorter at the other, or skip lunch on the coast and eat back in the city.
The labyrinth and the local guides
The labyrinth is a maze of paths through cliffs of coloured sand, which lead down to the beach. There is no climbing, but the ground is soft sand and some slopes.
Local guides from the village lead visitors through it. They are not part of the tour, so you pay them directly. Agree the fee before you start, so there is no confusion at the end.
The village also has buggy rides, which are not included either. If you want one, tell your driver; the times on the day can move.
On your own, or with a driver
Beberibe is on the CE-040, the same coast road that carries on east to Aracati and Canoa Quebrada. A private day joins the two beaches without waiting for connections and brings you back to your door by mid-afternoon. The price depends on the size of your group; see it on the tour page. Local guides, buggy rides, lunch and drinks are paid on the day.
What to bring
- Sandals that stay on, or light trainers. The paths are sand and soft rock, and flip-flops slip off.
- Sun cream, a hat and sunglasses.
- Water for the labyrinth walk.
- Swimwear and a towel for the beach.
- Local cash for the guide, lunch and small purchases.
Who it suits, and who should think twice
This is the shortest of our full days out along the coast from Fortaleza. With about three hours on the road in total, it suits families with young children, travellers who do not like long drives, and anyone who wants a day on the coast and an evening in the city.
Think twice if someone in your group cannot walk on soft sand or slopes. They can still enjoy the beaches and lunch, but the labyrinth may be too much; tell us when you book.
If you want redder cliffs and do not mind the road, Canoa Quebrada is about an hour further on and makes its own long day. If you want dunes and lagoons instead, the Cumbuco and Lagoinha tour goes west. Our guide to day trips from Fortaleza compares them all.
Questions people ask
Can we add Canoa Quebrada?
It is possible, but it makes a day of ten to eleven hours. Ask us.
Can we go into the Mãe D'Água cave?
No. It has been closed since 2022 and partly collapsed in June 2026. Access is forbidden until the authorities say otherwise.
What if there are more than 16 of us?
Two vehicles travel together on one booking. Message us through the contact page and we will price it.
Can we cancel?
Yes. Cancel up to 24 hours before pick-up and you are refunded in full. See our cancellation page.
Booking
Pick a dry day, wear the right sandals, keep some cash for the guide, and respect the signs under the cliffs. The timings and what is included are on the Morro Branco and Praia das Fontes private day trip page, where you choose the size of your group and book.
