The market got its start as a meat, fruit, and vegetable market housed in a small wooden building in 1809. In 1931 the government prohibited the sale of meat and produce within the market, so the industry was forced to shift to crafts. The market as it stands today was built in 1998 to include better facilities and more space for vendors. Most city sightseeing tours include a stop at the market with time for shopping, along with visits to other notable attractions, like Avenida Beira Mar, Ponte dos Ingleses, Fort Schonemborch, and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Fortaleza.
The market is in Fortaleza’s Centro district just a couple blocks from the beach. The best way to get there is by taking a taxi or rideshare.
Mercado Central is open daily throughout the year, with shorter hours on Sundays. Come on a weekday morning to shop when the market is least crowded.
While the market is primarily known for its crafts, it still sells a few food products that many travelers find worth taking home. If you’d like to bring some flavors of Brazil back with you, keep an eye out for local cashews or bottles of cachaça, the traditional Brazilian spirit made from sugarcane juice.