During my two years in Brazil, Lagoinha remained my favorite quaint beach location in Ceara. It is not too far from the city but just far enough to get away. A very small town, Lagoinha is primarily about the beach. In the day you can rent 4 wheelers, swim, tan, eat, or take a pony for a gallop down the shoreline. The fish is fresh, the caju nuts are warm, and the sun and breeze will carry your cares away (also the cachaça helps ;). I recommend Lagoinha any day!

I stayed at the Vivamar hotel (which is great, and RIGHT ON THE BEACH) for 2 weeks. The beach is beautiful, light brown sand, clean, lots of strong waves, shallow. You can rent ATVs on the weekend, about 60-80 Br$ for an hour. VW beach buggies you can not rent, just have a tour in (with a driver). During the week Lagoinha beach is very quiet, not so on the weekends. But it never gets crowded at all. They are building some huge resort north of Lagoinha but it will probably take a few years to finish. Best food is Vivamar hotel restaurant or Mariane on the town square.