{"id":2447,"date":"2024-11-25T19:09:18","date_gmt":"2024-11-25T19:09:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/doinbrazil.com\/?p=2447"},"modified":"2026-03-02T12:47:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T12:47:29","slug":"catole-rio-grande-do-norte-brazil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doinbrazil.com\/es\/catole-rio-grande-do-norte-brazil\/","title":{"rendered":"An oasis in Rio Grande do Norte: Discover the source of the Catol\u00e9 River!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here\u2019s a place I never imagined could exist in Rio Grande do Norte! What if I told you that near Natal, there\u2019s a crystal-clear water spring bubbling up from white sand? It\u2019s true!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The source of the Catol\u00e9 River is a genuine oasis, and you can spend the day there! Keep reading to find out how!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note<\/strong>: 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Where is the source of the Catol\u00e9 River and how to get there?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The source of the Catol\u00e9 River is located in the city of Pureza, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t

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However, the spring itself isn\u2019t in the city center but within a natural reserve managed by the military. Access is not straightforward and is via a dirt road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s about 90 km (56 miles) from Natal, 34 km (21 miles) from Maracaja\u00fa, and 49 km (30 miles) from S\u00e3o Miguel do Gostoso. So, you can stay at one of these destinations and visit Catol\u00e9 for the day since overnight stays are not allowed there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leaving Natal via BR-101 towards Touros, you\u2019ll pass by Genipabu and Maracaja\u00fa. At the Zumbi intersection (km 31), turn left and follow the dirt road until the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>, and his expertise was invaluable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given Catol\u00e9 remote interior location, renting a car is a option and often essential for independent travelers. Most visitors rent cars in Natal <\/a>(the state capital with an international airport) and drive approximately 2 hours inland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do at the source of the Catol\u00e9 River?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since the area is a protected reserve, you cannot stay overnight there. However, you can access the Catol\u00e9 River\u2019s source \u2014 which eventually forms the Puna\u00fa River \u2014 through one of the day-use facilities available in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All spring access points are on private properties, so you\u2019ll need to choose the one that best suits your preferences to enjoy a day in this paradise.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We chose Shui<\/a> to celebrate my partner\u2019s birthday on November 17, 2021. We loved the location and the service, but it\u2019s worth mentioning that there are two other day-use options nearby: Tao Paradise<\/a> and Recanto das \u00c1guas<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind that all of these require reservations in advance since visitor numbers are limited. Don\u2019t wait until the last minute!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Emilly
If you love Instagram-worthy spots, know that Shui is full of them! (Source: Personal Archive)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

How much does it cost to visit the source of the Catol\u00e9 River?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to transportation costs (whether by transfer or private car), you\u2019ll also need to pay for the day-use package.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Shui, the reservation fee for adults is R$ 250.00 (US$ 43,00 \/ \u20ac 40,95), at Tao Paradise it\u2019s R$ 200.00 (US$ 49,88 \/ \u20ac 47,50), and at Recanto das \u00c1guas it\u2019s R$ 40.00 (US$ 6,88 \/ \u20ac 6,55), as of November 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, both Shui and Tao include a four-course lunch, a welcome cocktail, a snack, and water in their packages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our day at Shui<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Early in the morning, Lu\u00eds picked us up from our home in Ponta Negra, Natal. Lu\u00eds is super friendly and shared a lot of interesting facts about Natal and the surrounding areas along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We stopped at a viewpoint in Natal that we had often seen but never visited before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since we realized we left a little too early (Shui opens at 10 a.m.), Lu\u00eds took us to see the wind turbines.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Wind
Rio Grande do Norte is a leader in renewable energy production in Brazil (Source: Personal Archive)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We stayed in one called Paix\u00e3o (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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Words can\u2019t do the place justice, so here\u2019s a photo:<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Gazebo
Shui offers a private and immersive experience! (Source: Personal Archive)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

We explored the river, swam in the crystal-clear waters, sunbathed, and had fun on a swing. The place is truly paradise! There\u2019s no cell phone signal or internet, making it a perfect spot to disconnect and unwind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food at Shui<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019ve been to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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), \u00c1gua (fish), Ch\u016bn (vegan\/vegetarian), and Kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We chose Terra (meat) and \u00c1gua (fish) and shared them. Personally, I thought the cost of the day use wasn\u2019t too expensive, considering the lunch included. The environment is perfect, the waters are incredibly clear, and Shui\u2019s facilities are top-notch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the lunch served was of high gastronomy, and we wouldn\u2019t find a four-course meal of such quality at this price in Natal, for example. Here are the menus to make you crave it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Menu Tud\u00ed – Terra<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n