Beach Park

Beach Park opened in 1989 at Porto das Dunas and grew into what is billed as the largest water park in Latin America, set directly on the beach rather than inland, which is unusual for the type. Its signature is Insano, a straight drop slide of about forty-one metres - the height of a fourteen-storey building - descended in something under five seconds at speed enough that it held a world record for years and still functions as the park's dare. Around it are wave pools, a lazy river, family rafts and a set of gentler attractions, plus hotels on the site. It is a straightforwardly commercial destination, the main one of its kind in the north-east, and it fills with Brazilian families through the school holidays.

The main sights

• Insano - a forty-one-metre straight drop taken in under five seconds.
• A beachfront setting - the park on the sand rather than inland.
• Wave pools and rafts - the wider family attractions around it.
• On-site resort hotels - accommodation attached to the park.

When to go

July to December. A day. Weekdays outside school holidays are much quieter.

Things to know

Queues in high season are long, particularly for Insano, which also has strict height and health restrictions. Ticket prices are high and food inside is expensive. The park is loud and crowded by design. It has nothing to do with the surrounding coast.

Nearby

Aquiraz is inland; Fortaleza is west along the coast.

Key facts