Here’s a place I never imagined could exist in Rio Grande do Norte! What if I told you that near Natal, there’s a crystal-clear water spring bubbling up from white sand? It’s true!
The source of the Catolé River is a genuine oasis, and you can spend the day there! Keep reading to find out how!
Note: The currency exchange rates used in this article are based on the rates from 11/25/24, with 1 USD = 5,81 BRL and 1 EUR = 6,11 BRL. Please be aware that these rates are for reference only, and updated values should be checked closer to your travel dates.
Where is the source of the Catolé River and how to get there?
The source of the Catolé River is located in the city of Pureza, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
However, the spring itself isn’t in the city center but within a natural reserve managed by the military. Access is not straightforward and is via a dirt road.
It’s about 90 km (56 miles) from Natal, 34 km (21 miles) from Maracajaú, and 49 km (30 miles) from São Miguel do Gostoso. So, you can stay at one of these destinations and visit Catolé for the day since overnight stays are not allowed there.
Leaving Natal via BR-101 towards Touros, you’ll pass by Genipabu and Maracajaú. At the Zumbi intersection (km 31), turn left and follow the dirt road until the end.
We highly recommend booking a transfer with someone familiar with the area. The access road is tricky and might require a 4×4, especially during the rainy season. I went with Luis Meira from Nordeste por Cima, and his expertise was invaluable.
What to do at the source of the Catolé River?
Since the area is a protected reserve, you cannot stay overnight there. However, you can access the Catolé River’s source — which eventually forms the Punaú River — through one of the day-use facilities available in the region.
All spring access points are on private properties, so you’ll need to choose the one that best suits your preferences to enjoy a day in this paradise.
We chose Shui to celebrate my partner’s birthday on November 17, 2021. We loved the location and the service, but it’s worth mentioning that there are two other day-use options nearby: Tao Paradise and Recanto das Águas.
Keep in mind that all of these require reservations in advance since visitor numbers are limited. Don’t wait until the last minute!
How much does it cost to visit the source of the Catolé River?
In addition to transportation costs (whether by transfer or private car), you’ll also need to pay for the day-use package.
At Shui, the reservation fee for adults is R$ 250.00 (US$ 43,00 / € 40,95), at Tao Paradise it’s R$ 200.00 (US$ 49,88 / € 47,50), and at Recanto das Águas it’s R$ 40.00 (US$ 6,88 / € 6,55), as of November 2024.
However, both Shui and Tao include a four-course lunch, a welcome cocktail, a snack, and water in their packages.
Our day at Shui
Early in the morning, Luís picked us up from our home in Ponta Negra, Natal. Luís is super friendly and shared a lot of interesting facts about Natal and the surrounding areas along the way.
We stopped at a viewpoint in Natal that we had often seen but never visited before.
Next, we stopped at Quitanda da Selma (Selma’s Grocery) along the highway, drank coconut water, and snapped a few pictures with the beautiful fruits, crabs, and guaiamuns (a type of crab).
Since we realized we left a little too early (Shui opens at 10 a.m.), Luís took us to see the wind turbines.
It was my first time seeing one up close, and I was amazed by their size! Incidentally, Rio Grande do Norte has several wind farms. We continued through the municipality of Rio do Fogo and arrived at Shui just before it opened.
We were immediately impressed. The facilities are amazing! Upon arrival, we were greeted with fresh juice, and the staff explained how everything works. There are 10 Indonesian-style gazebos of varying sizes to accommodate reservations.
We stayed in one called Paixão (Passion), designed for two people. The gazebos are spaced out for privacy, and ours even had a private arm of the river for us to enjoy.
Words can’t do the place justice, so here’s a photo:
We explored the river, swam in the crystal-clear waters, sunbathed, and had fun on a swing. The place is truly paradise! There’s no cell phone signal or internet, making it a perfect spot to disconnect and unwind.
Food at Shui
Around 11:00 a.m., bruschetta is served, and we took the opportunity to order a drink. The drinks are inspired by the region and are absolutely delicious! Only the drinks are charged separately, but their prices are quite reasonable compared to the bars and restaurants we’ve been to.
At 1:00 p.m., a four-course lunch is served, and it was sensational. There are four menu options to choose from when you make your reservation: Terra (meat), Água (fish), Chūn (vegan/vegetarian), and Kids.
We chose Terra (meat) and Água (fish) and shared them. Personally, I thought the cost of the day use wasn’t too expensive, considering the lunch included. The environment is perfect, the waters are incredibly clear, and Shui’s facilities are top-notch.
But the lunch served was of high gastronomy, and we wouldn’t find a four-course meal of such quality at this price in Natal, for example. Here are the menus to make you crave it:
Menu Tudí – Terra
- Cassava bruschetta with a coalho cheese and cilantro pesto vinaigrette
- Cured beef with pumpkin and ginger purée, crunchy garlic and cashew farofa (farofa is a traditional Brazilian dish made from toasted cassava flour, often seasoned with ingredients like butter, garlic, onions, and herbs.)
- Tropical pineapple cup (pineapple compote with herbs and peanut crumble)
Menu Shuĭ – Água
- Fish and shrimp skewers with plantain and ginger aioli
- Grilled fish fillet with banana purée and local butter, fresh herb sauce, and passion fruit crunchy farofa
- Warm creamy coconut candy with passion fruit, rosemary, and vanilla ice cream
Oh! And even though they are gourmet dishes, the portions are generous, and we left the lunch feeling full. After lunch, we rested for a bit, but soon it started raining. The day use ends at 4:00 p.m., but we left a little earlier because the rain picked up.
We returned totally satisfied and happy. The place is beautiful and definitely worth a visit. Just be sure to book well in advance!
And if you get the chance to visit nearby spots like Maracajaú’s parrachos, the natural pools of Rio do Fogo, or São Miguel do Gostoso, be sure to include them in your trip!
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