Blog

Well, I have a lot to say about Natal. When I decided to live in other cities, my partner and I chose Natal as our first destination.

We had already visited the city in June 2021, when we went to Pipa, and Nel has family in both Natal and Canguaretama.

So, on July 30th, we took a flight to Natal and stayed there until December 15th. During this time, we did a lot of fun activities in the city and nearby towns, and I’ll share everything with you in this article!

Where is Natal, in Brazil?

Natal is the capital of Rio Grande do Norte. Although it is the largest city in the state, it’s still quite small compared to other capitals like Salvador. At times, we had the feeling of being in a small town, you know?

Where to stay in Natal?

During the five months we stayed there, we lived in Vila de Ponta Negra, very close to the famous Ponta Negra beach. Even though it’s a touristy area, there are several apartments, lofts, studios, and similar accommodations available at good prices, ideal for those looking for a longer stay.

Hotels in Natal, Brazil

In Ponta Negra, there are also many hotels, hostels, and all types of guesthouses. It’s important to note that there’s Ponta Negra and Vila de Ponta Negra. The Vila is home to long-time residents and is simpler, so prices are more affordable.

Other tourist areas in Natal include Praia dos Artistas, Praia do Meio, and Areia Preta. Along Natal’s coastline, you can also find large hotels from famous hotel chains, like Serhs and Wish.

Very Important: Regardless of where you stay in Natal, it’s essential to remember that the Natal airport is not actually in the city. It’s located in São Gonçalo do Amarante, about 45 kilometers from the capital, and about 1 hour to Ponta Negra.

So, when you arrive there, you’ll need to take an Uber or taxi, book one of the airport transfers, or even arrange a transfer in advance. I highly recommend Luis Meira from Nordeste por Cima. It’s worth checking his availability—he’s very friendly and gives great insights about the places. We used his service to go to the Catolé River springs, and his transportation made a huge difference in the experience.

If you’re coming from other states, you can reach Natal via the BR-101 highway from João Pessoa, which is very close if you’re there and want to do a day trip. For those coming from Fortaleza, the most common route is through BR-304.

Is Natal, in Brazil, safe?

Natal is considered a relatively safe destination compared to other major cities in Brazil, but, like any popular tourist location, it’s important to stay vigilant and take some basic safety precautions. While the city has many attractions and beautiful beaches, it’s recommended to avoid certain areas, especially at night, as some parts of the city can have higher crime rates.

Most tourists tend to stay in safe neighborhoods like Ponta Negra, which has a more tourist-friendly environment with many hotels, restaurants, and shops. It’s also a good idea to use reliable transportation, like Ubers or pre-arranged transfers, and to avoid walking alone at night, especially in less populated or unfamiliar areas.

When visiting beaches, always be mindful of your belongings. Petty theft, such as pickpocketing, can happen in crowded places, so it’s important to secure your valuables in a safe place.

As in any destination, it’s essential to follow the usual travel safety guidelines — be aware of your surroundings, avoid flashing expensive items, and take common-sense precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

What to Do in Natal, Brazil

Since we spent a good amount of time in Natal, we ended up doing a few off-the-beaten-path tours that were amazing. Let me walk you through them in chronological order!

Ponta Negra 

The first place we went to was, without a doubt, Ponta Negra Beach. It’s beautiful! It has a great stretch of sand, especially during low tide, and the stunning Morro do Careca (Bald Hill) in the background—truly a postcard view.

It’s important to note that climbing Morro do Careca is currently prohibited due to the erosion caused by the number of people going up.

Also, Ponta Negra has several distinct “areas” that we got to know better over the months. Closer to the hill, the water is calmer, creating lovely little pools at low tide.

The “middle” area is the busiest with the widest stretch of sand. On the other end is “Astral,” where the waves are stronger, and it’s the surfers’ hotspot. Oh, and for those wanting to learn to surf, Ponta Negra is a great place!

After the hill, there is a beach called Alagamar, which can only be accessed at low tide. We went a few times, and it’s beautiful and paradise-like—so much so that you’d hardly believe you’re still in Natal. We even saw dolphins!

However, in the last few weeks we spent there, we saw several police officers removing people trying to reach Alagamar. The area is military-owned, and it seems the entrance is now restricted. So, I’m not sure how things will be when you visit.

Instituto Navegar (Sailing Institute)

Another highlight of our stay in Natal was the Instituto Navegar. It’s an NGO located at the Iate Clube do Natal, which promotes social inclusion for children and teenagers through education, sports, and environmental awareness.

They do an incredible job teaching the children about the Potengi River (which we’ll talk a lot about here), sailing, and environmental issues.

Nel volunteered during our time there, helping with social media. It was truly moving to see how this project transforms the lives of these kids.

Take a look at their Instagram, and if you’re in Natal, it’s worth reaching out to see if there’s any way to help or participate—or at least to visit!

Dunas de Genipabu (Genipabu Dunes)

The dunes aren’t exactly in Natal, but in Extremoz, about 15 kilometers away. You can get there by car or buggy, as part of one of the many tours offered in the region. It’s one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen in my life.

The dunes are stunning—grand and imposing. Climbing them is a challenge, but it’s totally worth it. The view from the top is simply breathtaking, and swimming at Genipabu Beach is fantastic too.

You can also take buggy rides or even ride dromedaries there. Personally, we didn’t like the idea of animal rides unless we’re sure about how the animals are treated before, during, and after the rides. I can tell you, though, that walking through the dunes was a wonderful experience, and I felt like I was in the desert.

For the more adventurous, there’s a huge tree in the middle of the dunes, and from the top of it, you can see all of Natal, even Morro do Careca!

Cajueiro de Pirangi (Pirangi Cashew Tree)

Also near Natal, in Parnamirim, is the largest cashew tree in the world. It actually looks like a cashew forest, and there’s a viewpoint to observe the large tree from above. From November to January, during cashew season, you can pick them straight from the tree.

I recommend visiting the cashew tree when you take the Rota do Sol, which we’ll talk about next.

Rota do Sol (Route of the Sun)

Rota do Sol is actually the RN-063 highway, which goes from Ponta Negra to Pipa, passing by several amazing beaches. You can already imagine, right? I recommend setting aside an entire day for stops along the way and, by the end, maybe spending three days in Pipa. We have a ready-made itinerary for you here! Some interesting spots on the Rota do Sol are:

• Barreira do Inferno (Hell’s Barrier) an old rocket launch center;
• Cajueiro de Pirangi (Pirangi Cashew Tree);
• Mirante dos Golfinhos (Dolphins’ Viewpoint);
• Estação Parary (Parary Station), with restaurants;
• Mirante da Lagoa de Guaraíras (Viewpoint of Guaraíras Lagoon);
• And the Mirante da Praia de Cacimbinha (Viewpoint of Cacimbinha Beach), already in Pipa.

Trails at the Parque das Dunas (Dunes Park)

The Parque das Dunas is the second-largest urban park in Brazil, behind only the Tijuca Forest, in Rio de Janeiro. It plays a crucial role in the climate and biodiversity of Natal, and within the park, you can take three trails: Perobinha, Peroba, and Ubaia Doce.

In addition to the walk, the trail guides explain everything about the park and its importance, making the hike even more enjoyable. You can book by email, and it’s very simple, costing only R$2.00 (1 real for entry to the park and 1 real for the trail) (US$ 0,35 / € 0,33).

The park itself is a great place to spend an afternoon and have a picnic, and the trails make it even better! All the information is available on the park’s website.

Rappelling at the Newton Navarro Bridge

The Potengi River, which in Tupi means “shrimp river,” is one of the most important landmarks in Natal. It was through this river that the city was built, and it plays a major role in the region’s commerce, being the main river in Rio Grande do Norte.

Besides its beauty, there are many adventure activities along the river. You can visit its source in the city of Cerro Corá, go kayaking, and even do rappelling and bungee jumping from the Newton Navarro bridge, which crosses the river.

I did the rappelling with the Aventura de Raiz crew, and they were amazing. It’s no secret that I have a fear of heights, and this was a big challenge for me. But they were so wonderful that I felt completely safe.

It was incredible to see the river from above. There’s also the option of doing the bungee jump, which is much more extreme. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to do it, but maybe next time!

Kayaking on the full moon or sunset on the Potengi River

Another incredible experience I had on the Potengi River was kayaking under the full moon with the team from Capitão Amarelo.

By the way, Capitão Amarelo is an amazing tourism company in Rio Grande do Norte and its surroundings. They organize amazing tours every month. We did three with them, and they were all wonderful, from logistics to the experience and the attention they give to customers.

Kayaking is a very different experience, especially under the full moon! It’s very calm, even for beginners, and they provide all the instructions. We rowed to Redinha Beach, lit a bonfire, and then returned.

Other beaches I didn’t visit, but would like to!

There are other beaches in Natal worth visiting! Praia dos Artistas, Praia do Meio, and Areia Preta are quite famous, but with other inland excursions, we didn’t get to visit them.

Lagoons

Another experience that Rio Grande do Norte offers is its lagoons. There are many of them, and some are close to Natal, such as:

• Alcaçuz, in Nísia Floresta
• Arituba, in Nísia Floresta
• Bonfim, in Nísia Floresta
• Carcará, in Nísia Floresta
• Cotia, in Barra de Punaú, in Rio do Fogo
• Coca-Cola, in the Mata Estrela Reserve

What to Do in Natal at Night?

Natal has many bar options, and the Ponta Negra coastline tends to get quite lively at night, especially from Friday to Sunday. One of the famous bars is Curió, and we visited Ôxe Bar on my birthday, which was really fun.

The food is amazing (we had paçoca de carne de sol with green beans and cream). The drinks were also very well made, the beer was perfectly chilled, and the live music was super lively!

3-Day Natal Itinerary!

Well, if you don’t have six months to explore Natal like I did, here’s a suggested itinerary for three days in the capital of Rio Grande do Norte. I highly recommend splitting your time between Natal and Pipa, as Pipa’s beaches are simply unmissable. Here’s the itinerary:

First Day:

• Arrival in Natal
• Enjoy Ponta Negra
• Sunset at Genipabu

Second Day:

• Visit the Fortaleza dos Reis Magos (Fortress of the Three Wise Men), built in 1598, and which reopened at the end of 2021 after renovations. Take the opportunity to visit the Potengi River
• Parrachos de Maracajaú or Rio do Fogo, depending on the tide

Third Day:

• Rota do Sol heading to Pipa

That’s it, folks! I always like to emphasize that Rio Grande do Norte offers much more than just beaches, just like Natal. There are many other ways to explore this small state with such a vast culture and incredible landscapes.

Other trips I took around Rio Grande do Norte and nearby areas that were definitely worth it:

• Pedra da Boca (Stone of the Mouth), on the border with Paraíba
• Pico do Cabugi (Cabugi Peak) a volcano in RN!
• Nascente do rio Catolé (Source of the Catolé River), a true oasis
• Cachoeira do Correntino (Correntino Waterfall), in Rio Tinto/Paraíba
• João Pessoa, the capital of Paraíba