IL Postcard

Beachfront Apartments for $77,000

Date: 02/20/2008

Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008
Fortaleza, Brazil

Read more about Brazil in International Living Postcards—your daily escape

Yesterday, Eimear told you a little about what we found east of Fortaleza, but I prefer the west.

We’re scouting beachfront opportunities within two hours in either direction from this First World city on Brazil’s northeast coast. My favorite town here is Cumbuco—it’s close to the big city but still feels like a little “beach town.”

Cumbuco is a 30-minute drive on the Sunrise Road west of Fortaleza. Most of the expats who live here are from Sweden, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Italy. Europeans are attracted here by the cheap beach lots and the kite surfing (the constant breeze that allows for good kite surfing also keeps the high temperatures—86º Fahrenheit right now—comfortable).

There’s a bohemian feel to this town, and lots of outdoor activities to keep you occupied while you do nothing. Barracas (beach restaurants) line the beach. You can go horseback-riding on the beach…or take a Jangada (boat) out on the ocean. You can take a dune buggy ride to the sand dunes. Everything here revolves around the beach…and that’s the way I like it. The beach itself is white sand…like all the beaches along this coast…but because Cumbuco is so close to the city, more building has happened here than in most places we visited. But the construction is subtle, blending well with the environment. Attractive homes and apartments with terracotta roofs line the beach. But there’s not much left to buy pre-construction…they’ve almost run out of beach on which they’re allowed build.

What’s left costs from $20 to $30 per square foot for lots right on the beach.

We learned of a small development planned by an experienced Brazilian developer (a project he built here last year almost sold out pre-construction…just one unit remained when building began). His Vila Cumbuco will be a block from the beach pictured above and will have 22 apartments…from $77,000 for a 480-square-foot apartment to $118,000 for a 750-square-foot apartment.

For more details, write to Fabricio Santos.

Laura Sheridan
Managing Editor, International Living

Editor’s note: Something’s about to happen on the north coast of Brazil…something that will provide you the rare opportunity to double…triple…or even quadruple your money within the next 12 months. Get the full details in this free report.