Natal - Brasil
Natal capital of State has 767.053 inhabitants and is 400 Km away from the coasts. Surroundings are composed by dunes, reefs, fallacies and natural pools. It is one of the most standing out destinies in the country and in Rio Grande del Norte capital. There are different options to take a walk: in rustic fish villages, funny dune buggy rides inside the paradise protected nature, where you will enjoy the hold year.
Natal was founded by Portugueses in XVI century, with the Fort of The Holy Kings. It is similar to a five point’s star, one of the main attractions of the city where you can appreciate the beaches of urban area. Ponta Negra beach - the most frequented one- is a place where you will enjoy Morro de Careca, a sand dune which is 120 meters high, several bars and restaurants that offer typical food as sea fruits and the famous “carne de sol”.
The day begins early in Natal, since it offers a great number of activities among the nature. Fist of all, you should rent a car, preferable buggy -the main transportation in the city- because the main attractions are surroundings, in fisher villages and sister cities.
To the north coast, there are sand dunes of Gepinabu and lagoons of Jacumã and Pitangui, where you will practice esquibunda and aerobunda. To the south, the calm water beaches of the region lead to the “Villa de Pipa” to 90 Km. away.
Main attractions
After renting a beach buggy, you will decide to go where you want to. On the way to north coast, on Potengui River’s side, there is Natural Park among the dunes, lagoons and beaches of Genipabu region. Among the attractions, you will have camel ridings on the sand hills. It is worth visiting Maracajau, a complex of natural pools to five kilometers away.
To the south, the landscape shows some of the most beautiful beaches of the region, like Villa de Pipa. On the way to the village, there is an obligatory bus stop in Pirangi for appreciating the biggest cajueiro in the world. It is the starting point to visit natural pools especially for people who come with children.
The biggest Cajuiero
The “cajueiro”, whose top is 8.500 square meters, has a lot of branches, is registered in the Guimnes Book as the biggest one in the world. In harvest season - from September to December-, the visitors will taste its fruits enjoying the shade.
MAIN BEACHES
PONTA NEGRA
It is the most visited beach of Natal, has “kioscos” on the sidewalk and a sea which gather tourists and surfers. It is the meeting point of some tribes and is frequently visited by natives and tourists. Ponta Negra has as trademark to “Morro do Careca” hill, a-12-meters high sand dune and is surrounded by vegetation.
GENIPABU
The sand dunes and the buggies are the main attractions, making Genioabu a real funfair among nowhere. The buggy rides would be exciting; all depends upon the speed and the radical maneuvers along the temporary and permanent dunes, with fresh water lakes. From the dunes top, you will enjoy Genipabu lagoon view, and have camel ridings too.
BARRA DE TABATINGA
It has calm waters, is visited by families with children because it has a park named Shark’s Park. But, the dolphins are the main attraction at dusk.
MARACAJAU
It is 60 Km. away from Natal; Maracaju is famous because of its coral reefs which are located to 7 Km, and is the perfect place to dive. The nature is reserved, rich in marine fauna with diversity of fish.
COTOBELO
It is the first stop towards to the south, is 12Km away from Ponta Negra; Cotobelo has calm waters and clear sand, dunes and coconut trees adorn the place.
PIRANGI DO SUL
The natural pools of Pirangui are close to Natal and to the beach. From there, ships depart to submarine diving. It is an excellent stop for people who visit the south beaches.
JACUMA
The beach is the cradle of aerobunda, You can practice it on the Jacuma lagoon. It consists in going down a dune, sitting on metal planks, adjusted to a rope falling down into a lagoon.
SPORTS AND ECOTOURISM
The nature of Natal is wonderful, its sceneries and attractions are appropriated for practicing sports. The most requested water sports are surfing, windsurfing at Ponta Negra beaches and Artistas beach, diving into the natural pools. The buggy trip by the dunes presumes as rally, vehicles 4X4, motorbikes and trucks. For trekking lovers, you will find paths in Dunas Park, located into a reservation area. The sky is the maximum; in Natal, you can also have ultra light trips in Genipabu seeing the wonderful nature on the air.
OFF ROAD
Natal is one of the most visited cities because of the rallies in 4X4 cars, motorbikes and trucks. The competences and the tours go pass among the beaches and sugar canes, forming labyrinths. The most risky ones can go 800 kilometers passing by 80 beaches to Fortaleza in four days.
DIVING
It is possible to know the sea life with snorkel and gas mask in coral reefs. The natural springs of Pirangui are the most visited ones because they are close to the city: Maracaju and Perobas are from 50 to 90 Km away from the city, and five to the coast, but the wonderful place reward the long distance.
SURFING
It is practiced on Ponta Negra beach; the most requested one by all level surfers, because of its big waves. Artist’s beach in the central region is also very visited by high tides surfers. Others prefer to travel to Pipa ( 90 Km from Natal) because of the waves of Playa del Amor(Love Beach) in Moleque.
WINDSURFING
The strong winds in the San Miguel do Gostoso, to 120 km from Natal, make a point of meeting for sailboarders, and kite surfers.
Natural Attractions
The tourism in Natal not only has dunes, but also the culture takes part of the city attractions. Besides having the Fort of Holy Kings -one of the main ones inside the postcards and part of historical heritage- the city has neoclassic constructions where there are theatres, culture houses and churches.
During the religious festivities, people can know and appreciate the typical folkloric manifestations of the region.
FORT OF HOLY KINGS
It is a star shape fort, was built by the Portuguese’s settlers in 1598, close to intersection of Atlantic Ocean with Potengi River. In 1633 it was difficult to impede the Dutch invasion because of its strategic location. Years after, the portugueses return to the city. The monument still has the old cannons.
FARO DE MAE LUIZA
It is 37 meters high, has easy access by a spiral staircase with 151stairs. The lighthouse offers the most wonderful views like the landscapes of Areira Preta beach’s, Genibapu and Ponta Negra beaches. It was built between 1949 and 1951, was managed by the Port Authority. It functions by electricity, emitting flashes each 12 minutes to 44Km.
TOURISM CENTER
It is a former prison; the tourist center shows the handicrafts fair, old and actual art gallery where you can find beautiful wooden objects, fabrics, and glass which shows the region history through popular culture evolution. Other attraction is “Forro con Turista”, a show with regional music every Thursday.
HOW TO ARRIVE
There is tow ways to arrive to Natal: by plane or by bus.
By plane
Arriving to Augusto Severo International Airport that is located 20 Km away from the town center, arrive or return to airport is not so easy because of the long distance.
By bus
You will arrive to Cidade do Sol Bus Station.
From there, different buses depart to cities of Rio Grande do Norte and other Brazil states.
Arrival time to the following cities: Recife: 4.5hours, João Pessoa: 3hours, Fortaleza: 8hours.
Distances to capital cities: Brasília 2.509 km; João Pessoa 180 km, Recife 288; Fortaleza 533 km, Maceió 554, Salvador 1111 km, Rio de Janeiro 2645 km.
Buses to Fortaleza use the “Viação Nordeste”. There are only seven departures a day, each one is 8hours approximately. (There is an express bus).
Bus Station: 3232-7310
Tourist information: SETUR 3232-2500
Augusto Severo Airport: 3644-1000
Radio Taxis: COOPTAX 0800-84-2255. DISK TAXI 3223-7388
Alfredo Gurgel Hospital: 3232-7500
Police: 190
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