Pacheco Beach, Beach in Caucaia, Ceará, Brazil

Pacheco Beach is a narrow strip of beige sand in the municipality of Caucaia, Ceará, a few minutes from Fortaleza. A stone wall separates and protects the beach from the holiday houses built facing the sea. At the waterline, shallow pools form among flat, light-grey and tan reef rocks, with patches of green seaweed and small dark pebbles scattered on the sand.

The beach grew from a small fishing settlement into a popular destination as tourism in Ceara expanded during the second half of the 20th century. This shift brought the services and facilities that visitors encounter today.

The beach's name comes from the Pacheco family, who own many of the seaside houses lining the sand. These holiday homes, some built right against the water, sit behind a low stone wall that separates them from the beach. The narrow strip of sand is used mainly by residents and surfers rather than day-trippers.

The beach sits in an area with consistent wind conditions year-round, so visitors should prepare for this weather pattern. Rental equipment and accommodations are readily available, making planning a visit straightforward.

Between July and November the winds blow stronger, yet the water stays warm enough for windsurfing, which is why surfers also come for the waves. The beach has no tourist infrastructure of its own, and a stone wall separates the narrow strip of sand from the holiday houses behind it.