Fortaleza Adventure   Your Personal Concierge to Fortaleza, Brazil

Fortaleza Adventure is like

your own

“Personal Concierge” to 

the city!

Note: For the time being, please only use the standard email address to reach Fortaleza Adventure as other emails are temporarily disabled because of a virus.

Please use: andy@andyneill.com

If you wish to view in Portuguese, please Google Fortaleza Adventure and use Google’s translation service.

Se você deseja ver em Português, por favor Google Aventura Fortaleza e usar o serviço de tradução do Google.

 

For a small fee Fortaleza Adventure makes your visit to our city as stress free as possible!

Our services include everything from pickup and drop-off at Fortaleza’s ultra modern Pinto Martins International Airport, to accommodations, either short or long term, assistance in renting vehicles such as cars or dune buggies, setting up tours of area beaches (Ceará has one of the top ten beaches in the World, Jericoacoara, as rated by the Washington Post and New York Times) and enjoying Fortaleza’s plentiful nightlife. It can also include help in obtaining documents such as a CPF card, contacts for purchasing property or beginning a business in Fortaleza.

Fortaleza Adventure can put visitors in touch with other ex-pats who live here full time and some who have businesses here, so that they can benefit from first-hand experience.

We can act as a tourist guide and introduce them to spots where ex-pats tend to gather so that visitors feel a little more at home.
Fortaleza Adventure will introduce visitors to the best shopping in the area as well as helping them avoid paying tourist prices for EVERYTHING!

We can even set them up with Portuguese lessons with someone who speaks both languages!

Our service is dedicated to assisting primarily English speaking visitors and making sure they don’t “re-invent the Wheel”…having to learn by experience!

 

We have been assisting clients since 2005!

We are unique in Fortaleza!

 

 

Check under NEW POSTS for exclusive details and photos of a new luxury penthouse apartment available now for rent on the beach in Fortaleza.

 

Also take a look at our new country flag counter under New Posts!

See where  visitors to Fortaleza Adventure’s web site come from! 

It was activated March 1, 2011.

 

    Here’s what Fortaleza Adventure

               can do for you!

1. Airport transfers (we pick you up and drop you off after your visit.)

Pinto Martins International Airport is pictured below.  A world class facility!

2. Fortaleza Adventure will find appropriate accommodations for you.  This could be an apartment, flat, a pousada (Brazilian B&B), regular hotel or house.

3. One city tour. *

4. One shopping trip to either Centro (where the Brazilians shop) or Mercado Central, the established “tourist” market. *

5. We will help with renting vehicles such as cars, SUVs or dune buggies. *

6. We will help with obtaining a CPF card, which is the Brazilian ID card.

7. We will assist in setting up beach tours to other smaller cities up and down the coast with a personal introduction to the best tour company in the city. *

8. Fortaleza Adventure can make an introduction to honest and ethical legal help if you are interested in buying property here.

9. When you need to make a purchase, we can help keep you from paying “Gringo” prices for your purchase.

10. We’ll introduce you to other expats who live/work here so that you can learn from their first-hand experience.

11. We will show you where other expats “hang out” so you can feel more a part of the community.

12. In other words, since you’re here in a strange city where you don’t speak the language, our intention is to lift as much stress off your shoulders as possible.

13. We have assisted others and can help you if further services are requested (for instance finding and buying items for new real estate purchases.) *

* A small extra fee for this item.

Our email is andy@andyneill.com.

Please drop us a line if we can be of service!  Or you’re welcome to leave a comment.

 

If Fortaleza  is your Brazilian destination,

Fortaleza Adventure can make it easy!

 

 

First of all!

The Beaches of Fortaleza

…Like no others!

There are two things that set the beaches of Ceara, Brazil apart from all others…their beautiful colors and the huge dunes that sweep back from the ocean.

Fortaleza is on a point, which means the beaches where the warm South Atlantic brushes the shore lie in both directions from the city.

If we start at the middle and work out it’s something like this.

Meireles is the beach area of Aldeota, the main tourist area.  There is a large concentration of high-rise condo and hotel buildings along the Beira Mar, or oceanside avenida.

Early in the morning and at dusk, both of which occur around 5.30, either am or pm, you can find hundreds of the city’s population…tourists and locals…walking, jogging, running or just socializing at one of the many barracas (pronounced ba-hackas) along the beach, both close to the water’s edge and also along the avenida, depending on whether you want to have your toes in the white sand  in the afternoon or evening with an ice cold cervaza…beer… or pick up one of the fabulous fruit “vitaminas”  during your morning exercise.

There is also a tourist market each evening, starting around 6pm.  The vendors start setting up at noon and close around 11pm-12am.

You can purchase everything from cashews to bikinis to shoulder bags to sandals to arts and crafts, in particular, little bottles filled with colored sand poured to make pictures.  It’s quite fascinating.

Mostly, it’s the locals who hang out at the city beaches.  The tourists take a taxi or onibus and travel a little farther.

Facing the ocean and moving towards your right, after passing the port, you come to Praia do Futuro.  Along this three mile stretch of beach, there is cleaner water and many barracas (bigger beach bars, many featuring music, which the in-town barracas don’t have) where most tourists and many locals go on weekends, particularly Sundays.

There’s lots of beautiful women…

Cervaja (beer) and regular or seafood.

The vendors wander through the tables set up under palm frond canopies and sell anything from lobster to shrimp, to CD’s and DVD’s to sunglasses and bikinis.

If you are willing to travel a little further, say about 30km, you come to Prainha, my favorite beach.  It is cleaner still…they rake the sand every night…the barracas are just as good as Praia do Futuro, and the prices are lower.  That’s because most tourists won’t go that far for a beach and the barracas are filled mostly with locals.

If you go further you come to Morro Branco,

and later, Canoa Quebrada.

(As part of the service at Fortaleza Adventure, we will provide a personal introduction to the best tour company in the city which arranges day-trips to beach towns up and down the coast from the city.)*

On the other side of the city, out past Iracema, which really doesn’t have clean water, only rocks, and where even the locals don’t swim, there is Cumbuco.

This beach community is the weekend home of many of the rich Brasileiros and their families.  There are many mansions along the beach that would match the rich enclaves anywhere in the world.

Cumbuco is known World-wide as one of the most favored kite-surfing spots.

Further along the stunning coastline, you will see Mundau,

Lagoinha,

And Paracuru.

Another six hours and there are the incredible mountainous sand dunes and crystal ocean of Jericoacoara.

In a poll by the Washington Post and the New York Times, Jericoacoara was named one of the Ten Best Beaches in the World.

If you would enjoy visiting Fortaleza without stress, please email andy@andyneill.com.

Or you’re welcome to leave a comment.

Canoa Quebrada!

Broadway

Canoa Quebrada is known up and down the Northeast coast of Brazil…and really, around the world (by the people who have been there) as “party central!”

A Saturday night close to Natal (Christmas) or Carnaval is  as close to a full-blown outside house party as you can get!

The main street is cobbled and called Broadway…named after the street in New York City…and is hemmed in on both sides by cafes, restaurants, clubs including discos, Internet cafes and hostels.

By the way, if you thought tie-died was something from the past, it’s alive and well in Canoa Quebrada.

The backpack and bandana crowd discovered this boistrous town back in the 70s and it’s as if they never left!

So, on Saturday night, everyone comes to party and Broadway, which is always closed to vehicle traffic, becomes packed with partiers by midnight, and the party goes on into the morning hours, often until the sun comes up.

It’s not JUST Saturday but that really IS party night.

Canoa Quebrada is really special!

Contrasts in Fortaleza!

In fact the contrasts are not only in Fortaleza, but in all of Brazil.

One of the most striking contrasts in Fortaleza are the various skin colors one can see there.

They range from the VERY white of recently arrived tourists (also the lobster red of those who either have never heard of sunscreen or just refuse to wear it!), through light skinned Brazilians, who perhaps came originally from the southern part of the country, where people have a much more European look about them, to the morena or darker skinned natives.  Then, there are the REALLY dark Brazilians, many of whom originated in Bahia.  They comprise the smallest group in Fortaleza in terms of skin color

In pure geography, there are Meireles and Iracema the beach areas of the city, as compared to Vila Uniao, and some of the other neighborhoods…more working class areas.

If you have never seen one of the houses in a favella, you have an experience in store that will bring you back to Earth in a hurry.  You will pause to say a silent “thank you”.

The remarkable thing about Brazilians is that, despite the high unemployment rate, particularly here in the Northeast, they manage to bring up their families, have fun, celebrate weekends, eat reasonably and educate their children.

One unifying factor seems to be graffiti, which is pretty well everywhere.  And it’s not the kind we are familiar with from North America, where a great deal of what I have seen tends to be artistic and colorful

Here in Fortaleza, it seems to be almost entirely in black spray paint…just there to prove someone could do it! Lately, though, I Have spotted some really colorful and creative “wall art”!

In the beach area, frequently you’ll see new Mercedes or other very expensive cars passing pull carts with wobbly wheels filled with items to be either sold or delivered to one of the recycle companies.

And finally, on the beaches, the vacationing Europeans or North Americans sitting at their tables at the various barracas (pronounced baa-ha-ka) enjoying a cerveza (beer) and crab or shrimp, and the Brazilian vendors selling everything from cashews to bikinis.

As I mentioned earlier, the main thing that draws me to the Brazilian people is their joy of living, no matter what their circumstances.

Do many wish to be better off?  Of course, but it sure doesn’t keep them from making the most of what they have.

We are just an email away, andy@andyneill.com

Or you’re welcome to leave a comment.

Real Estate in and around Fortaleza, Brazil!

Here at Fortaleza Adventure, we get more questions concerning real estate than almost anything else. This is to be expected when you realize how the world has taken notice of Brazil in the past several years, and in particular, the Northeast coast…and more particularly, Fortaleza! There is so much information to be passed along on this subject that I feel this section of fortalezadventure.com will be the one that grows and changes more than any other.

Let’s start here!

Brazilian Real Estate…Do’s and Don’t Do’s!

You’ve found a  condo you really like…actually you’re fallen in love with the place.

Meanwhile…as you may imagine, size matters!

But how big is it…really?

Did you know there are 3 different ways real estate can be measured in brazil?

There is, of course, the legal measurement listed in the title, or Matricula for the property in question.  These measurements however, have a nasty habit of being incorrect.

For instance balconies and service areas are not included.  As a matter of fact, any changes made since the original document was produced probably have not been added.

This lack of correct numbers protects the owner from tax increases.

Then there’s the measurement the friendly, local real estate agent may give you.  Problem is, in many cases the agent may never even have visited the property before starting the sale process, nor have they seen the title documents!

After checking the appropriate papers it may be that extraneous areas suddenly get added to the apartment size…such as the hallway, elevator shaft area and so on.

If we’re talking about a house, the lot area may “increase” because part of neighboring lots are figured in.  Even public streets sometimes get included in the measurements.

Now, if you speak to the owners, you have to understand they have a vested interest in as much area as possible…legal or not.

The only REAL measurement is one YOU, or someone you REALLY trust is going to do for you, and it might not even come close to matching any of the three listed above!

The best advice possible is to get the best HELP possible…and by that I mean legal help, an honest lawyer with experience in real estate.  Do some checking, get personal references from any friend you may have who have already been through the buying cycle.  Interview potential legal help.  If you don’t speak Portuguese, find a lawyer who speaks English…they are here…you just have to look, or ask us!

I can refer you to several English speaking lawyers with real estate experience and you can do your own interviews to select who you want to assist you.

Real Estate!

As I have stated previously, Fortaleza Adventure does not buy and sell real estate!

That being said, many, many people have questions about the subject.

I will attempt to act as a sounding board for questions about this, and questions for which I have no answer, I will refer to people who do!

The item I think is most important is that, in my opinion, to even think about buying property or housing, either an apartment or house, on-line, is a mistake.  Believe it or not, I have been contacted by folks who are ready to do this, and, in one case, already put money into the project…without even having been here!

Due Diligence!

If, after your research, you feel that Fortaleza, or the area around the city, might be a good place to invest or to live permanently, then book some time and a ticket, hop on a jet and visit.  Fortaleza Adventure can make it as painless as possible.

Lawyers!

For one thing, you will need an attorney!  Someone who is versed in real estate and knows the rules…who can do a title search for you.  The reason is that in some cases, title is not easy to establish.  There have been cases where people who thought they owned their land, have had someone come to their door months or even years later, present a document which states that THEY not the person living there, is the ACTUAL owner of the property.  The result is a court case that can drag on for a long time, years even!

In my opinion, you need to come to Fortaleza, meet lawyers and make a personal judgment, based on intuition and hopefully, personal reference, as to which one you trust and which you should use for your transaction.

Fortaleza Adventure can help you on your quest by making a couple of introductions to get you started.  If you don’t establish a trust level with these people, you move on until you find that person.

The perfect scenario would be to come here, look around, find a property that you like, without contacting the owner, and then let the Brazilian attorney do the negotiating for you.

Fortaleza Adventure receives more email concerning legal issues involved in real estate purchases than almost anything else.

AGENTS!

One thing to keep in mind about real estate agents here…THEY WORK FOR THE SELLER…NOT THE BUYER! So even if the person seems to want to find you exactly what YOU want, what they really are up to is selling you a property that they already represent!

This is a situation where “Gringo” prices can really take a toll!  If a Brazilian owner sees a Gringo coming, there’s a good chance the price will be more…and in many cases that I know of…A LOT MORE!

Don’t get me wrong, there are agents here who know the areas you will want to see, however they are trying to find buyers, working for clients they already have, you come second!  You don’t pay them, the seller pays the commission!

If you go to a larger real estate office, and I have the names of a couple who are reputable, I suggest you look at the properties they have, then go away and start your own process when you have determined the area you want to be in and what you might have to pay IN that area.  Not to say there aren’t reputable agents, but to some extent, it’s “enemy territory”!

Developers!

There are a number of companies who are selling lots for building or finished houses, apartments and condos along the beach on either side of Fortaleza.

The same thing applies to these companies.  Look at their web sites and if you see something that looks good…think about it, and then, if it STILL seems like a good thing to investigate further, get an airline ticket, a place to stay and come here for a look…just a look…remember you are still in the due diligence part of the purchase process.

As there are a number of these developments, there may be more than one that fits your needs.  Then further investigation is necessary.  A local, trusted lawyer can help at this point.  You need to consider your own situation.

Are you buying for yourself?  Are you buying to live in full time?  Are you buying to use occasionally and to rent the rest of the year?  Does your situation require a city property or will something outside the city better suit your needs.  Are you buying to develop yourself or with a partner here?

Many people who come to Fortaleza interested in buying a condo in one of the many buildings being planned or developed are looking at buying “off-plan”.  That is if you buy before the builder starts work or during the construction stage, the price is lower than the finished product.

If you are buying an apartment, condo or house that is planned, being built or you are talking with the builder, you should do some investigation of the company itself.

As you drive around the better areas of Fortaleza, you will see several unfinished buildings where no work is being done.  You do not want to have purchased an apartment or condo in one of these!  A good way to avoid that is due diligence concerning the builder that you’ve chosen.

These are questions to be answered, and there may be other reasons for considering the purchase of either accommodation or land in and around Fortaleza , which  haven’t been mentioned.   If so, please email me and I’ll add these to the list for others to see.

Summary!

I know of an informal survey that was done of all the best retirement and casual living locations in the world.  Items considered included, but were not limited to, cost of living, proximity to good medical care, friendliness of the people, availability of investment opportunities, ease of banking, proximity to beaches and so on.  Fortaleza came up number ONE on the list!

Fortaleza is a wonderful place to live and enjoy living, but it’s a significant change in both life and the way of doing business from either North America or Europe and requires thought and attention to detail before the enjoyment can be complete!

And you thought homework ended with school!

There’s one more thing:  our email is: andy@andyneill.com.

Or you’re welcome to leave a comment.

More about Fortaleza realestate!

I have a couple of comments about the current (Dec. 2010) real estate climate in Fortaleza.

A good friend of mine with much experience both in the country and in following the news here says in his opinion, the rental rates here are coing up at a faster rate than the property values.

To me, this means that more people are aquiring property here and renting it, but at higher rates.

I think the number of properties on the market (already constructed) will increase, but not necessarily their prices.

Owners are looking at making their money between now and the arrival of the World Cup in Fortaleza in 2014.

 

I want to show you some of the real estate that has or can be bought or built here in the Fortaleza, Brazil area.

For example:

This house was built by an American friend of mine who then sold it to his Brazilian partner.

These views are presented as an idea of what could be built here if someone decided to start from scratch.

This house is not for sale at the moment.

It’s situated in a gated community near the beach.

Here are some more views of the house.

Here is an example of a beach house built by a Canadian friend.  This beautiful family home is currently on the market.  If you like what you see here, I can provide more photos and if you wish, put you in direct contact with the owner/builder.

This home, two blocks for the beach,  has a master suite plus two more bedrooms and another bathroom with shower.

There is even a small extra house on the property for live-in help.

The home has a churrascaria as well as a pool.

The master suite, which opens out onto a balcony overlooking the lawn, the pool and the ocean 2 blocks away.

Here is a Facebook page devoted to profiling a flat available in the Meireles area of Fortaleza.

If you would like more information on this or any other accommodation in Fortaleza or the area around the city, please email

Travel danger!!!

Worried about Violence, Mayhem, and Unpleasantness when traveling abroad?
Then…DO NOT visit Detroit!

Come on down! Fortaleza is safe enough!

There has been so much talk, most of it negative, about the dangers of traveling abroad lately, I thought I would pass along this information concerning Canadians traveling outside the country.

This information is from the Toronto Star 05/11/07.

“A total of 1,133 Canadian travellers reported to Canadian authorities they were assaulted on foreign soil between the years 2000 and 2006. Of those, Mexico leads the list with 173 reported assault cases. China was next with 105 and Cuba with 62. Thailand was fourth with 45 and the United States followed with 40.

Rounding out the top 10 countries where Canadians are reported assaulted are the Dominican Republic and South Korea (each with 38 incidents), France (35), Guatemala (34) and Japan (33).

Other sunny spots where assaults of Canadians have been reported include Jamaica with 18, the Bahamas with 16 and Barbados with 14.”

You can see that Brazil is not even mentioned!  There is a proviso here, though.  Just because Brazil is not in the top ten on this list, doesn’t mean you don’t have to take care when traveling in the country.  You need to take the same precautions you would take as a tourist walking down 5th avenue in New York City.  You don’t wear flashy watches, jewelry or carry expensive cameras.

 

As an expatriate posted on another country network about letting one’s guard down: “A thousand times it doesn’t matter then one time it does.”

High Season versus Low Season!

In talking with some of the hotel managers in the tourist area of Fortaleza, Meireles, what they are saying is that the gap between the  rates for rooms, apartments and flats in High Season and Low Season is getting much closer.

Our feeling is that the gap will be non-existent by the time World Cup comes to Brazil in 2014.

Also worthy of mention is the fact that accommodations are becoming harder to find in the tourist areas particularly during High Season.  Early reservations are advised even more now than ever.

Again, the email to reach Fortaleza Adventure: andy@andyneill.com.

Or you’re welcome to leave a comment.

Travel to Brazil!

Getting to Fortaleza was easier in the early part of 2010 when Delta Airlines was still running their direct flight from Atlanta.  It was only one day a week, but better than any of the alternatives.

We still feel that one of the international airlines will pick up the route again in the near future and in plenty of time for World Cup in 2014.

But for right now, the only two ways that are viable from North America are by American or Continental through Sao Paulo, or the TAM route from Miami through Belem and Manaus as station stops and then to Fortaleza.  The TAM route is much shorter but not nearly as good as a direct flight.

Visitors from Europe have it much easier coming from London to Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Natal.  They can then take a regional flight to Fortaleza.

There is a direct flight to Fortaleza from Lisbon, and people can connect from London, England.

I know that travel within Brazil can be expensive, but there are airpasses available to those that want to visit several cities.

December 27 2010

Visa Information!

The Brazilian Government has just advised tourist agencies and others associated with them that the minimum investment to qualify for the “Investment Visa” has been raised to the equivalent of R$200,000, because of the devalued US dollar.

That is about US$117,000 at the current exchange rate (1.7).

The other requirements still stand as well.  These include, but are not limited to, hiring 10 Brazilians over a 3 year period.

Any project has to be approved by the Labor Ministry and the investment money transfered via Banco do Central do Brasil in order to aquire the Visa.

Because no one without a visa can have an account with one of the Brazilian banks, you need a Brazilian “partner” for this visa.

They then go about setting up a business account for you with them as your partner. (it can be as small as 1%).

You can choose whomever you wish, but you should probably choose a lawyer or accountant that you trust.

Fortaleza Adventure would suggest a lawyer who has been through the investment process before.

We  can introduce you to legal help for this visa.

In the process, you obtain a “power of attorney” which allows you to change or eliminate your Brazilian partner AFTER your bank account is set up and you don’t have any further need for a partner.

Some projects MIGHT be granted some changes to the investment visa rules if it is deemed of great importance to the community or for some other reason, but this is not normal.

Simply buying a property for your own use or on “spec” does not qualify a person for the Investment Visa.

If you do not qualify for the Investment Visa, you might qualify for the “Retirement Visa”.

To qualify, you must be 50 years of age or more, and be able to transfer a specific amount into a Brazilian account through Banco do Central do Brasil per month.

There are more details to this visa and Fortaleza Adventure can put you in touch with legal help with this, as well as the Investment Visa.

January 2011

Banking!

Controling your money when you are outside your own country is vitally important.

Here are some tips:

1.  open a couple of accounts at different banks before you leave and deposit enough money to help you through any emergency there might be.

2.  You can invest in traveller’s checks from American Express because they are still useful in an emergency and here in Fortaleza, there is an American Express office here in Meireles, the main tourist area, and you can get them cashed.  But make sure you keep them in a secure place…hopefully in the safe in your room, apartment, flat or house.

The easiest way to get cash here in brazil is to use the convenient ATM machines.  But cloning, as it is in many places, is a problem here and so always use the ATMs in secure places…always cover your hand when typing in your pin number, for example.

I use the ATM in the lobby of the Banco do Brasil near me.

Don’t use the kiosks on the beach or in shopping malls.  They are not safe.

Brazlian banks are not places where you can readily cash checks…there’s really NO place you can do that here.  Better not to use checks at all.

3.  Make sure you have copies of your vital documents such as passport, birth certificate (if you are here fror a long term stay), and any other documents you might need for what you are doing here.

For instance, if you are applying for a visa, you will need other documents, and you need to make sure they are safe.

(by the way, Fortaleza Adventure can help in getting “official” translations of documents needed for various purposes such as buying property here.  There are only about 4 people in the whole city that are licensed by the government to do them!)

Make sure that your bank knows where you are going and that they will be seeing transactions on your cards from Brazil.

If you are involved in a property transaction, your lawyer will tell you how to handle the funds necessary for that.

Fortaleza Adventure will make introductions to honest and ethical legal people if needed.

January 3, 2011

Revillion!

By the way, I have to mention here that the fireworks on New Year’s Eve, or Revillion, as it’s called here, were truly spectacular!

They went on for about 20 minutes!

I watched from my balcony a couple of blocks from the center of the beach in Meireles.

Fortaleza Adventure’s 3 latest clients, Paul, Derek and Michael, all from England…well Derek is Irish, but we won’t hold that against him…leave for Rio tomorrow after a week in Fortaleza.

They got much closer down on the beach near the main entertainment stage.

I  spent Sunday along with my clients at one of the most famous beach bars on Praia do Futuro, Coco Beach!

Here is some good advice for using bank and credit cards abroad from Krystal Yee of the Toronto Star. 

This, in particular, applies to Canadian clients of Fortaleza Adventure, but everyone should do some checking with their preferred bank or financial institution before leaving on a trip abroad.

Save yourself some money by spending a few minutes calling the number on the back of each card and have them explain the fees and currency conversion amounts to you.

For example, with some credit cards,  all transactions made in a foreign currency will be converted to Canadian dollars. Then, an amount equal to 2.5 per cent of the converted transaction amount will be added to the total.

Meanwhile, other credit cards first convert all foreign transactions into U.S. dollars, and then into Canadian dollars, before charging a 2.5 per cent conversion fee.

The foreign currency conversion fee is charged to offset the cost incurred by the credit card company and the bank, since international transactions are more expensive to process than domestic transactions.

Aside from credit cards,  the option is using debit cards. You will not be able to make individual transactions , such as deposits, with a debit card, but you can use them to access your money through bank machines.

Aside from understanding the fees associated with both your debit and credit cards when traveling abroad, here are some tips to help keep you safe and save you money:

Make photocopies of your credit cards. Scan or take photos of the front and back of each card – then store as a password protected file on your computer. This will allow you to have all the information you need to call the credit card company and cancel your cards immediately.

Tell your credit card company about your plans. Nothing would be more frustrating than having your credit card declined and suspended for suspicious use, because you didn’t take the time to let the card issuer know of your overseas travel plans.

Avoid dynamic currency conversion. Foreign merchants will sometimes try to take advantage of tourists by offering to quote the final price of your purchase in U.S. dollars, instead of in the local currency. The exchange rate is selected by the merchant, and is usually much higher than that of your credit card. Make sure you know the currency conversion rates before you buy anything, or download a smartphone app that will do the conversion for you.

Double-check your card expiration date. Your trip could take a serious nosedive if you suddenly discover that your credit card is set to expire while you’re traveling. Contact customer service to see if they can issue you a card with a new expiration date, or mail you a new card to your address abroad, closer to when the card will actually expire.

Stick to one  card (but bring a back-up). Using one credit card will make it easier for you to track your spending while you are away. But, you should also bring a back-up credit card just in case of an emergency – such as, your credit card being suspended, or losing your wallet. The back-up card should be stored somewhere else besides your purse or wallet – like in a safe in your hotel room, or in a money belt if you need to have it with you.

If you have some tips about financial transactions while traveling, please email andy@andyneill.com and I will push them on to present and future clients of Fortaleza Adventure.

The survey was conducted in the fourth quarter by the James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate, Wisconsin School of Business.

(This information was forwarded to me by my friend James from New Jersey)

I keep learning every day.  I can’t make it all perfect for you as much as I’d like to be able too. You have to get in the arena and move forward. It is about today, unless we chose to hang onto yesterday and let it drag us down.

Hi there!

This an update on the current economy in Brazil, and more importantly to those who harbor dreams of visiting the beautiful northeast coast of the country, the effects of the world recession/depression (depending on where you are) on the local scene.

Having done much thinking and research among other expats and residents of Fortaleza and people who have been in business here for many years, there are some conclusions that can be reached.

For one thing, research shows that after Sao Paulo and Rio, Fortaleza is the most expensive city in the country.

Next in line after Fortaleza would be Salvador.

The local papers say that the inflation rate for the city is in the region of 12.5%, as opposed to the figure the government says is the average for the country of around 6-7%.  My feeling is that it’s always a good idea to consider the source when looking at government figures and that maybe the government has an agenda of their own.

One thing is for sure.

The number of tourists has dropped off precipitously in the past 2 years!  In particular this applies to European tourists.

The people you see here now are doing their visits on a bare-bones budget and a lot are backpackers whop are staying in local hostels.

So if you are looking for a destination where you won’t run into hordes of people with cameras around their necks, currently, Fortaleza is a perfect fit.

We still have the greatest beaches (Jericocoara for example…one of the ten best in the world) and climate in the world, in my opinion, and also the most beautiful women (with the possible exception of Rio).

So if you’re interested in a relaxing stay or possible looking for a place to call home AFTER retirement, get in touch.  Fortaleza Adventure, your personal concierge to the city, can help!

 

 

 

A Perfect Get-away Place!

This is a luxury penthouse apartment in a brand-new building on Beira Mar.  It has everything you would need for a short visit, a romantic get-away or somewhere to call home for a longer period.

It has it’s own private entrance and is above it all.

The view is to die for!!!

The amenities are superb!

It’s perfect for a couple or a family with a young child.

Take a look!

 


The View is spectacular, especially at night!

The ambiance is incredible either looking from the inside or outside.

The apartment has it’s own private enterance, and room on the balcony behind for a barbeque.

Everything is within walking distance…supermarkets, restaurants and shops.  Oh!  And the beach, of course!

If you are interested in rates for this penthouse apartment right on the beach, please email andy@andyneill.com and I will put you in touch with the owner who lives here in Fortaleza.

Fortaleza has two 5-Star hotels.

One is on Beira Mar, the beachside avenida, and the other is at the far end of Iracema, the beach to the northwest of Fortaleza.

The hotel on Beira Mar used to be called Caesar Park, but has changed management companies and is now the Gran Marquise.

It is in a very good area of the beach in Meireles and also next door to the mall which contains the only American Express office in the city.  There are several restaurants in the building as well as up and down Beira Mar.

The Marina Park,, the other 5-Star hotel, is located at the far end of Iracema and is not really within walking distance of anything, with the possible exception of Mercado Central but only in the daytime.

However it is a large hotel and well suited to those who come here by sail or motor on the warm South Atlantic. As the name implies, there is a marina attached to the hotel and also a shipyard where yacht construction is carried on.

Both hotels have areas for conferences and conventions and other group activities.  They are popular for weddings and other family celebrations.

Fortaleza has many other hotels of various ratings that would appeal to most travels seeking accommodation, from pousadas to larger hotels like the Blue Tree, a very popular hotel on Monsignor Tabosa…where again, many services are within walking distance.  The street is well known as a familiar shopping area in the city.

If your trip to fortaleza requires hotel accommodation, there are hotels or pousadas which will solve the problem.

There is a move by the US State Department that will make it much more difficult to obtain an American passport in the near future.

Here are some of the details.

More can be had with the info below.

 

The U.S. Department of State is proposing a new Biographical Questionnaire for some passport applicants:

The proposed new  Form DS-5513 asks for all addresses since birth; lifetime employment history including employers’ and supervisors names, addresses, and telephone numbers; personal details of all siblings; mother’s address one year prior to your birth; any “religious ceremony” around the time of birth; and a variety of other information.

 

According to the proposed form, “failure to provide the information requested may result in … the denial of your U.S. passport application.”
The State Department estimated that the average respondent would be able to compile all this information in just 45 minutes, which is obviously absurd given the amount of research that is likely to be required to even attempt to complete the form.
It seems likely that only some, not all, applicants will be required to fill out the new questionnaire, but no criteria have been made public for determining who will be subjected to these additional new written interrogatories.  So if the passport examiner wants to deny your application, all they will have to do is give you the impossible new form to complete.
It’s not clear from the supporting statement, statement of legal authorities, or regulatory assessment submitted by the State Department to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) why declining to discuss one’s siblings or to provide the phone number of your first supervisor when you were a teenager working at McDonalds would be a legitimate basis for denial of a passport to a U.S. citizen.
There’s more information in the Federal Register notice (also available here as a PDF) and from the Identity Project. http://federalregister.gov/a/2011-4154

February 8, 2011

Brazil is the best place to invest says Colordarcy.

Overseas property investment advisor Colordarcy has named Brazil as its number one buying destination for 2011.

According to Colordarcy director Loxley McKenzie it was a “toss up” between Brazil and Turkey as to which country came out as its best investment tip for next year.

“Both have been completely stabilised,” said McKenzie, “and reformed for the better by two terms of excellent governance. Both now have stable and rapidly growing economies, and both are seeing growing affluence in the population which will cause demand for housing to outstrip supply by a large and increasing amount.”

The discovery of oil in Brazil and the awarding of the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016 also helped to clinch it for the country.

Colordarcy’s third choice investment destination was the USA. The firms says high repossession rates in the US highlight Florida as a place where there are “opportunities to buy, not only distressed or repossessed properties, but also discounted new-build homes at up to 60% below replacement costs.”

Egypt was named the fourth hottest investment destination for 2011 because, says McKenzie, it is a “typical emerging market investment” where “the formula is simple; low prices and high growth.”

“On a comparative basis, prices in Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh are some of the lowest in the world.”

Next came Vietnam where, says the report, “GDP grew 6.3% in 2008, 5.3% in 2009 and is on track for similar growth this year. The Asia Development Bank is forecasting 4.5% growth this year, the IMF is predicting 6.5% growth this year and 6.8% next year.”

Colordarcy likes the fact that these growth rates “look sustainable, and that Vietnamese property is still priced comparatively low compared to its peers … Vietnam will hot up in 2011.”

February 2, 2011

Hi there!
Here are some travel tips to start the New Year from your friends at Fortaleza Adventure!

If you are constantly being bitten by the travel bug, how about making your trips pay for themselves by turning them into business!
For example, if you are a reasonably good photographer, take lots of pictures along the way and turn your trip into a travelogue and sell it to any of the publications that have travel sections, like newspapers and Internet travel newsletters.
Some will pay for the privilege of running your information and photos!
Once you start getting a portfolio of projects, you can put out a resume to cruise lines and tour companies and see if you can’t score some free trips, paid for by your experience.

Almost any trip will cost less if booked at the last minute.  Most of the on-line travel agencies have last minute sections and you can take advantage of their discounted travel.

Here’s one that you won’t find everybody talking about.  Did you know that the best time to buy airfare is just after midnigfht on Tuesday?  Many airlines run specials on weekends and after the weelend, they take Monday and Tuesday to reset the prices…they are not available at any price.  Then most of the deals are relaunched early in the morning between midnight and 2am Wednesday.  Perhaps you could get in on a deal you missed out on before.