I visited this serial nomination in two parts. First off I saw São João Fortress in Rio just next to the Sugarloaf Mountain. You can see it from the airport but it's still a bit far away. Do note that there are only certain times to visit this otherwise military-used fortress. I think besides the military use I think it would certainly be included in the final list of fortress sites and thus it would make for an easy tick while you are already in Rio.

There are also a couple of fortresses south of São Paulo. Additional "easy ticks" are in Recife and Forte São Marcelo which is pretty much next to the historical center of Salvador you would visit for another UNESCO site. I am also curious how the one at the other end of the country next to Bolivia is but you'd have to go along the river and it's quite far from the Pantanal lodges after all. Finally, I also visited Santa Cruz de Itamaracá Fort which is north of Recife. I was already out for Olinda and the Itacoatiaras of Ingá River rock wall so it wasn't the worst of detours on paper but the traffic in Recife is pretty horrible so I would advise against this idea next time for that alone. Second reason would be that arriving on the "beautiful" island of Itamaraca also means tourist touts keep wanting you to rent stuff or eat at certain restaurants.

For those interested you can come here on bus 1968 but I assume you have to transfer somewhere in Recife before getting on this. I saw this bus quite a lot and it goes all the way the beach/fortress. The actual fortress of Santa Cruz de Itamaracá is rather shoddy. Entrance is free but it has a guard. Parking was also supposed to be free but the touts kept bugging me about stuff so I'm not sure it's "truly" free - well, I didn't pay but also didn't stay for long to worry. Aside from the few views you get (a good few south towards Recife before the skyscrapers start) you also get abandoned cannons and a few empty rooms with broken walls. It deserves having a free entrance fee because I feel this was a waste of time. You also cannot get a good shot from outside because the fortress faces the coast.

So while this fortress was rather shoddy I know there are MANY other fortresses in the list worthy of inscription thus it should be inscribed.