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Papicu
Shopping and connections
📍 Photo of the area coming soon
Papicu
Between Meireles and Praia do Futuro: a large shopping centre, a bus hub and, soon, the metro.
- 📍LocationBetween Meireles and Praia do Futuro
- 🛍️RioMar400+ shops
- 🎭Theatre900 seats
- 🚇MetroLinha Leste, planned for 2027
About Papicu
What is Papicu like?
Papicu lies between the beaches of Meireles and Praia do Futuro. It is home to Shopping RioMar Fortaleza, with more than 400 shops, a food court, a cinema and a 900-seat theatre.
The area is a public transport hub. The new Linha Leste metro will connect Centro and Papicu; according to the 2025 schedule, all stations will be ready in 2027.
✅ Good for
- Shopping
- Practical: between city and beach
- Public transport
⚠️ Less good for
- Atmosphere and sights
- A beach on your doorstep
- Nightlife
Tip: Combine RioMar with an afternoon at Praia do Futuro: it is a short ride.
Experiences
Things to do in Papicu
🛍️
Shopping RioMar Fortaleza
At Rua Desembargador Lauro Nogueira 1500: more than 400 shops, kiosks, a food court and a cinema.
🎭
Theatre at RioMar
The shopping centre has a 900-seat theatre.
🧵
CeArt at RioMar
RioMar also has a CeArt store with crafts from Ceará.
Featured in Papicu
Hotels, restaurants and tours in Papicu can feature here.
🍽️
🧭
Food and drink
See them in the guide →Eating and drinking in Papicu
We do not list any Papicu venues yet. These are the nearest.
🍽️
VignoliRestaurant · Varjota
🏖️Italian cooking, pizza and pasta, in Meireles and Varjota.
Chico do CaranguejoBarraca (beach restaurant) · Praia do Futuro
🏖️One of the oldest and best-known barracas at Praia do Futuro, linked to the Thursday crab tradition.
CrocobeachBarraca (beach restaurant) · Praia do Futuro
🏖️Established barraca at Praia do Futuro with seafood and drinks on the beach. Open longer on Thursday for crab night.
Terra do SolBarraca (beach restaurant) · Praia do Futuro
Barraca at Praia do Futuro, known for seafood, drinks and a lively atmosphere.
Where to stay
Hotels in Fortaleza →Staying in Papicu
Papicu sits between the city and Praia do Futuro.
🛍️
Near RioMar
Handy if you plan to shop a lot.
🏖️
Towards Praia do Futuro
Closer to the beach.
🌊
Rather be on the promenade?
Look in Meireles.
Location
Getting around Fortaleza →Getting around from Papicu
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Papicu bus terminal
One of the city’s major bus interchanges.
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Metro (under construction)
The Linha Leste to Centro; all stations planned for 2027 (2025 schedule).
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Uber and 99
To the beach and Meireles.
🛡️ Staying safe
In busy places
Keep your phone and bag close in crowds.
At night
Stick to busy, well-used streets and take an Uber or 99 for longer distances.
Swimming
Swim near a staffed lifeguard post and check the flags.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about Papicu
What is there to do in Papicu?
Mainly shopping at Shopping RioMar Fortaleza, with over 400 shops, a cinema and a theatre.
Is there a metro to Papicu?
The Linha Leste between Centro and Papicu is under construction; the 2025 schedule has all stations ready in 2027.
Sources: QuintoAndar: Shoppings em Fortaleza · O POVO (2025): Linha Leste do metrô · O POVO (2024): Artesanato cearense ganha destaque
Nearby
All neighbourhoods →Neighbouring areas
Seafront, eastPraia do Futuro
A long open beach lined with big beach clubs: the place for a full beach day.
See the neighbourhood →⚓Seafront
Mucuripe
The harbour at the end of the promenade, with fishing boats and the Mercado dos Peixes.
See the neighbourhood →
Behind MeirelesVarjota
Known as the city’s food district: restaurants and bars a few blocks from the sea.
See the neighbourhood →🌿Southeast
Cocó
Residential area by Parque do Cocó, the city’s great riverside park.
See the neighbourhood →Blog
Stories and tips
More about beaches, food and going out in Fortaleza.
Become a partner
A business in Papicu?
Let visitors to the neighbourhood know you are there, in 8 languages.
- Available in 8 languages, for an international audience
- Independent and editorially trustworthy
- Personal contact, no anonymous self-service portal
Become a partner
We are happy to discuss in person how to make your business visible.
See the options →