NORTHEAST | RIO GRANDE DO NORTE
Natal
Natal, city in northeastern Brazil, capital of Rio Grande do
Norte State, was founded by the Portuguese in 1599 and
its colonization was marked by the presence of the French
and Dutch.
Natal is now a modern city. Its almost 700.000 inhabitants
enjoy excellent urban infrastructure. This beautiful city on
the Atlantic Ocean coast, keeps an interesting mixture of
nature and civilization. The tourists - more than 500.000 a
year - are welcomed by an international airport, a qualified
hotel net, equipment and services facilities that stand out
in the touristy panorama of the region. The Government
has been investing in the tourism industry, improving the
infrastructure and conserving the natural heritage. One of
the main steps was establishing the Dunes State Park for
the preservation of the series of sand dunes that surround
the capital.
Natal is known as “City of the Sun” or “Bride of the Sun”,
where the sun stands high in the sky for almost 10 hours
a day. It is also known as “City of the Dunes”, with a Park
of Dunes measuring 8 kilometers of extension and 1,8
kilometer of width. Its sea is of calm, blue and crystal
clear waters. The south coast comprises 15 beaches with
dunes, cliffs, coconut trees, hills, reefs and some natural
swimming pools. Barra do Cunhaú is a complete beach
offering both sea and river baths besides a structure
of regional seafood cuisine. The north coast has 20
beaches with beautiful white sand and many have ideal
waves for surfing. Dunes, coconut trees, hills and reefs
Time: Brasilia’s official time
Average Annual Temperature: 28ºC
Climate: Tropical
Airports:
Augusto Severo Airport
Natal
Rio Grande do Norte
are characteristic of the landscape. The most southern
and best for swimming is Ponta Negra, where many
hotels, restaurants and bars are located. One of the most
significant symbols of the city, the famed Morro do Careca,
is also there. You can dip in the natural pools, formed at
low tide; enjoy dolphin watching; ride jet skis; and explore
the cave of Pedra Oca on the South Coast Beach. Dunas de
Genipabu Park is popular for the biggest adventure of all:
some dune buggy rides. The buggies here can descend at
an inclination of 90 degrees. Pipa Beach, one of the most
important seaside resorts in the Northeast, attracts nature
lovers, surfers, artisans and all those who are captivated
by the beauty of its beaches, dunes, cliffs, Atlantic forest,
dolphins and turtles. Once a small village, many of its
traditions still exists today. It has become a “must” for
visitors from all over the world.
You can expect fiding about 300 days of sunshine per year
with a cooling sea breeze. And its air is the purest in all
of Latin America. The landscape ranges from the colored
cliffs in the south to the 50 meter high sand dunes in the
north where magnificent beaches stretch for nearly 10
miles. These enormous sand dunes are the ideal landscape
for the excitement of dune-buggy-rides. The dune buggy
drivers will ask you: “With or Without Emotion”? If you
say “With Emotion,” it will be an exhilarating ride as you
go up and down the towering dunes at rapid speeds.
Besides being a lot of fun, dune buggies are able to go
where other vehicles can’t - and that includes some of the
best beaches in Natal. You can access the lakes and the
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NORTHEAST | RIO GRANDE DO NORTE
northern coast in one day with a dune buggy. And you
can try “sand boarding” at a steep descent on the dunes,
sliding into the water.
Nightlife in Natal is lively and fun. Several houses offer live
shows of folklore, rock, reggae and forró (Brazilian dance
music). Many bars have live music, nightclubs play Brazilian
popular music and there are a lot of great discos. A
number of hotels have special attractions as well. Many of
the best restaurants are known for their seafood but you’ll
also find pizza places, “créperies”, sushi-bars, regional
and international food restaurants, açai paste, Portuguese
food, barbecue house, pastry shops, light snack places and
more.
Eating out
Mangai | Av. Amintas Barros, 3300 – Lagoa Nova
Regional food. The decoration is inspired in a big
countryside house, with big wooden tables, adobe pans
and waiters typically dressed. Self service buffet with more
than 30 varied dishes.
Manary | Rua Francisco Gurgel, 9067 – Ponta Negra
Specialized in seafood, the restaurant offers a romantic
atmosphere located at Ponta Negra beach.
Camarões | Av. Eng. Roberto Freire, 2610 or Rua Pedro
Fonseca Filho, 8887 – Ponta Negra
The restaurant is specialized in shrimps (20 different kinds).
There are also lobsters, fish and dishes from international
cuisine.
Nightclubs
Nova Kapital | Av. Presidente Café Filho, 872 – Praia dos
Artistas
This large Disco overlooking Praia dos Artistas beach
features DJs playing Top-40 hits, plus famous local bands
and cover bands.
Hooters | Av. Presidente Café Filho, 27 – Praia dos Artistas
The nightclub, located in the Chaplin Complex (a place that
holds restaurant, bar, pub and creperie), has a big screen
with video clips, and 2 ambiences. It plays dance music and
reggae.
Manicomio | Av. Presidente Café Filho, 27 – Praia dos
Artistas
Also located in the Chaplin Complex, Manicomio was
recently inaugurated and it has become a point of Natal
nightlife.
Guinza Blue | Via Costeira, s/n – Ponta Negra
Cosy nightclub palying music of the 70s, 80s and 90s.
Shows
Centro de Turismo | Rua Aderbal de Figueiredo
– Petrópolis
Forró com Turista: Every Thursday, visitors can participate
of a joyful night of “Forró” dancing, It’s a lot of fun with
great life music.
Zás Trás |Rua Apodi, 500 - Tirol
It has a restaurant section, and the shows start around
20h. After the show, the dancers will teach guests how to
do “forró”, “ciranda de roda” and something fun called
“aeroreggae”.
Going shopping
Centro de Turismo | Rua Aderbal de Figueiredo – Petrópolis
The best of the culture and the handcrafts of Potiguar – natives are called that way. There are handcrafts shops, art galleries
and antiquaries.
Handcraft Market | BR 101 – Close to Via Direta and Natal Shopping
It has lots of stalls selling bottles of colored sand, ceramics and other local handicrafts.
Handcraft Market of Ponta Negra | Av. Eng. Roberto Freire
It is a big shed with over 40 stands selling ceramic, clay sculptures, hammocks etc.
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NORTHEAST | RIO GRANDE DO NORTE
Where to go for a drink?
Beleza Choperia | Av. Eng. Roberto Freire, 8750 – Ponto Sete, Ponta Negra
A kiosk in the beach, an ideal place for a cold beer and snacks.
Salsa Bar | Rua Manuel A. B. de Araújo, 176 – Ponta Negra
The bar is a new point in Natal. It gathers young people and tourists. The bar offers caipirinhas, crepes and cocktails.
Services & Tours
NAT 01 | Transfer in/out
One way transfer to or from Augusto Severo Airport,
including assistance and porterage (2 pieces per person).
NAT 02 | HD City Tour
City Tour (3 hours): Visit main historical and touristic
attractions of the city such as “Mãe Luiza” lighthouse, the
Reis Magos Fort, Via Costeira (Coastal Avenue), the city
center, Praia dos Artistas (Artists beach), Ponta Negra beach
and the Tourism Center – a craft market for shopping.
NAT 03 | FD Morro Branco and Praia das Fontes
North Beach (8 hours) - This wonderful beach buggy tour
(3 persons per buggy) takes off along the Via Costeira
(Coastal Avenue), Urban beaches and includes a trip across
the Potengy River on a ferry boat. The buggy driver will
show the Fort of Reis Magos and Redinha beach heading
to the famous Genipabu sand dunes. After experiencing
an exciting ride the tour continues on to Muriú beach
visiting 7 beaches and 3 fresh water lagoons along the way.
Throughout the tour we will have several stops for photos
and dips in the warm watered lagoons and beaches. Typical
lunch will be served. Late afternoon return to Natal.
NAT 04 | FD Pipa Beach with Lunch
Pipa Beach (7 hours) - Tour begins taking the BR 101
highway south entering Goianinha district, for a visit.
Continuing on to Pipa Beach, we will notice its outstanding
attractions: the temperature of the water, vegetation, cliff
forms and deserted spots where dolphins in their natural
habitat dance in their bay – The Bay of the Dolphins.
Around 12:00hr tour continues to a restaurant for a typical
lunch. At this point other optional tours may be taken:
horse/bicycle or boat.
NAT 05 | Natal By Night
By Night (4 hours) - An unforgettable night at “Zás Trás
Shopping Show” introduces the beautiful folklore show and
charming regional dances. The show is presented by local
dancers who throughout the night invite the public to join
in and dance the “forró” and other rhythms.
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NORTHEAST | RIO GRANDE DO NORTE
Hotels
Serhs Natal Grand Hotel
«««««
Location | Located between the beaches of Ponta Negra and Areia
Preta on Via Costeira. The hotel is 10km away from the city center and
12km away form Augusto Severo International Airport.
Rooms | 396 rooms with air conditioning, TV, internet connection,
telephone, safe box, mini bar, lounge and balcony.
Features | Four rooms for massage and beauty treatment, three
saunas, two Jacuzzis, 4 swimming pools, Scottish shower, Turkish bath,
beauty parlor, complete gymnasium with sea view, water sports, beach
football, beach volley, recreation team, fitness area, solariums, coffee
shop, theme restaurants, cafeteria, pool bar, welcome bar, piano bar,
exhibition hall, theatre hall, business center, mini club for kids.
www.serhsnatalgrandhotel.com
Pestana Natal
«««««
Location | In front of Barreira d´Agua beach with a lovely view of the
sea and surroundings. It is located 15km far from the airport and 8km
far from the city center.
Rooms | 189 rooms and suites (several with ocean view), equipped
with air conditioning, safe box, mini bar, color/cable TV, hair dryer and
telephone with voice mail.
Features | Restaurant, lobby bar, poolside bar, business center, beach
service, recreation team, dry and steam sauna, Jacuzzi, massage parlor,
3 swimming pools, games room, gym and children’s playground.
www.pestanahotels.com
Ocean Palace
«««««
Location | In a privileged location, just 15 minutes away from Natal
International airport and very close to the Convention Center on the
Coastal Highway, where the best hotels of Natal are located. The hotel
has an excellent view of Ponta Negra beach.
Rooms | 213 well-equipped rooms and 30 bungalows with air
conditioning, TV, safe box, mini bar, telephone and balcony.
Features | Le Soleil restaurant, Sunrise Coffee-Shop, American bar,
Lobby Bar, aquatic park, swimming pool, sauna, massage parlor,
recreation for kids, fitness room, tennis court and multiple sporting
block, squash court and games room. Meeting facilities: largest with
capacity to hold 300 persons.
www.oceanpalace.com.br
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Hotels
D Beach Resort
««««
Location | On Ponta Negra beach, 15 minutes far from the airport and
10 minutes far from the commercial center.
Rooms | 140 rooms (European bungalow style) with sea view, safe
box, TV, mini bar, balcony, air conditioning with remote control and
telephone.
Features | 2 restaurants with panoramic view, 3 swimming pools,
bar, sports courts, fitness center, sauna, recreation, nightclub, 3 decks,
beach service. Meeting facilities: largest room with capacity to host 300
persons.
www.dbeachresort.com.br
Manary Praia Hotel
««««
Location | Beachfront to Ponta Negra beach, 10 minutes far from
Natal International Airport and downtown. Manary is located close to
finest restaurants, nightclubs and shopping centers.
Rooms | 24 rooms each with a large private balcony overlooking
the sea. All rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, mini bar, safe,
cable TV, in-house video and sound system and direct-dial telephone.
Features | Swimming pool for adults and children, games room,
Tropical restaurant and poolside bar. Meeting facilities: largest room
with capacity to host 100 persons.
www.manary.com.br
Imirá Plaza
«««
Location | At Via Costeira, by Barreira d´Agua Beach and Parque das
Dunas.
Rooms | 166 rooms and suites with balconies with ocean view
(127 rooms) and balconies with view to the dunes (39 rooms), air
conditioning, safe box, mini bar and cable TV.
Features | Swimming pool, kids swimming pool, playground, wet bar,
piano bar, games room, tennis court, SPA, business center, beach service
and restaurant. Meeting facilities: largest room with capacity to host
400 persons.
www.imiraplaza.com.br
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