The city of the sun, Natal and the Rio Grande do Norte Coastline offer their visitors beautiful and picturesque beaches.
The urban coastline in Natal includes 6 beaches: Ponta Negra, Areia Preta, Praia dos Artistas, Praia do Meio, Praia do Forte, and Redinha. In 1598 the Portuguese settlers built the Fortress of Three Wise Kings at Praia do Forte beach.It is nowadays considered the main historical monument in town; it was near the Fortress that the City of Natal was founded.
Location - Natal, the capital of Rio Grande do Norte, is located in the North-East of Brazil.
Details about Natal.
Geographical coordinates -Lat : 07o47'42 S.
-Lon : 35o12'34"W.
Natal has a modern airport that receives international flights from Europe and the US.
Time zone: 1 hour earlier in relation to the official hour of Brazil (GMT -03:00)
Infrastrucure: The city has a well-organized tourist business system and accomodation of all types.
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Genipabu Dunes
They form a gorgeous scenery, where you can drive a buggy car and ride a camel. There are also lakes and exuberant Atlantic Vegetation to be found in the dunes.
One of the most beautiful beaches on the Northern Coast is Genipabu, it is located 30km far from the capital. It is one of the most famous beaches in Rio Grande do Norte, as well as one of the most frequented.
Sao Miguel do Gostoso
One of the not-to-be -missed places of the Northern coast, its charming name, which means "delicios" in English is already a proof. The bay streches through the shores of Santo Cristo, that has a dense forest of coconut trees. A magnificent scenery that combines lightness and peace. A conjoint of cliffs, known as Tourinhos, complete the scene. It’s located in the region of Mato Grande, 102 km away from the capital
Pipa Beach
You will fall in love with Pipa. Gorgeous sunsets, wild beaches, and exciting nightlife! The mixture of different cultures and traditions of its population and overseas visitors makes the place attractive and unforgettable, gives it a special charm.
Pipa is located 86 km far from Natal, in Tibau do Sul borough, which has other fantastic beaches such as Sibaúma, Tibau do Sul, and Malembá.
Barreira do inferno
The Barreira do Inferno Rocket Launching Base was created on October 12th of 1965. Nowadays only meteorological rockets launch here. Nearby there´s the Cotovelo Beach, a marvelous beach with red cliffs and nice restaurants that serve wonderful shellfish.
Pirangi
One of the most visited places in Rio Grande do Norte. It is especially famous by possessing the tallest cashew tree in the world, listed in the Guinness Book. With a variety of buildings, paved streets and a certain urban air, Pirangi has many good restaurants.Pirangi is equally famous for its reefs with natural pools.One can take a a boat ride to those coral reefs, and ideal for snorkeling and bathing.
Maracajau
Maracajau Parrachos of the Northen Coast- If you are a surfer or a diver, here is your place. The open sea provides the big waves and the water is amazingly transparent.
When the tide lowers, the water gets trapped by the reef formation. This trapped water forms large natural pools 7 km off the coast,they are called parrachos; the parrachos combine serene waters with abundance of natural marine life.
Buzios Beach
One of the several coves of Búzios, surrounded by "falésias", was chosen by dolphins for mating. The place is known as Baía dos Golfinhos (Bay of Dolphins), and has a restaurant, where you enjoy apetizers and drinks while trying to spot the dolphins in the bay.
Zás- Trás
Folkloric shows and dances on the stage. They have shows from Monday through Saturday, but the show program changes;on today´s list there are shows devoted to the culture of Natal, Brazilian culture and capoeira. Notice that the shows are performed mostly for the foreign tourists, so they are all done in English.
Centro de Turismo
An old building which used to be a prison was turned into a handcrafts shopping: the four corridors "packed" with shops and a large yard in the middle. This is probably the busiest of such markets in Natal. Prices are reasonable, though bargaining is always welcome. The shops offer all kinds of handcraft: clothes, hammocks, puppies, paintings, etc. There is a restaurant and a cafeteria that serve local foods.
Ponta Negra Beach
One of Natal´s main tourist attraction, the "Morro do Careca" is located in "Praia de Ponta Negra". There you will see a marvelous beach and some excellent restaurants, Pousadas and a great night life.
Enjoy a walk near the beach and a stop to relax in the many kiosks spread along it.
Barra do cunhau
Cunhaú is a perfect combination of sea and vegetation.
Besides enjoying the beach beauties, tourists can take an ecological boat tour down the river contemplating the region´s ecological beauties. Farms where sea salt is produced also draw the toursists.
The village is still small, most people continue living on catching shrimps and crabs.
Lagoa de Jacuma
Jacumã beach, 49km away from Natal, offers you a relaxing bath in its placid waters.
There is a lake called Jacumã in the middle of the dunes, where tourists can practice a local adventure sport: Aerobunda – go down a dune on a cable railway into the lake; and Esquibunda, a kind of sandboarding.
Important information:
Natal has a well-organized tourism, commerce and bank infrastructures, good public transport system.
It is also famed for its hospitality and beautiful weather. The sun is shining during a good part of the year, so when coming to Natal be ready to have a sun protector, cap and summer clothes with you. Flavor fresh local produce and seafood; and do not forget a camera to frame the unforgettable moments you had in Natal. Enjoy your stay!
