to get to this part of niterói  from rio's zona sul, the easiest way is via the bus 7003 (also marked 740 d) that leaves from praça general osório in ipanema posto 8, across from the easy to spot zona sul supermarket.

the 7003 bus also stops in copacabana along avenida nossa senhora de copacabana, at the bus stops marked brs3,  this is the main avenue one block away from the water

travel time from ipanema to the entrance of the fortaleza de santa cruz varies between 80 and 120 minutes.