Natal Brazil Tourism & Travel Information Hotels Tours Airport Transfers

Natal					Brazil

Natal Travel Information

About Natal

Natal is the capital of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, in the northeast of Brazil, and the continental point closest to Africa (see map). Investment due to booming tourism has achieved a well-planned and ordered urban infrastructure.

Natal has vast beaches with calm seas and crystal clear waters, sand dunes, and a natural reserve of native flora and fauna in the very heart of the city: Parque das Dunas (Dunes Park) (see photos).

The weather in Natal is excellent; there are sunny days almost all year round, and a smooth breeze from the Atlantic lowers the temperature to around 20º-33º C (68º-91.5º F). Owing to its tranquility, it is one of the main domestic tourist destinations.

Natal also features a vast cultural and artistic heritage, resulting from the mixture of three races making up the Brazilian people: Portuguese, Indigenous, and African. The most popular cultural sites are Fort dos Reis Magos, Santo Antônio Church, Cámara Cascudo Museum, and Popular Culture Museum (see customers’ reviews).

Natal is famous for NOT celebrating Carnival in February. Its typical festivity is the Carnatal, which is celebrated every year in November or December. The event is a carnival-like celebration, where people dance and sing various musical styles and wear different costumes.

Hotels in Natal

There are many hotels and apart hotels in Natal offering really good facilities. Rates vary according to their location and proximity to the sea.

Hotels are concentrated around Ponta Negra and, for this reason, they differ in class and location.

Another option in Ponta Negra are the inns, with basic facilities and customized service. They are usually located on the mountain, surrounded by beautiful landscapes, though beaches cannot be easily accessed from there.

In general, hotels and apart hotels in Via Costeira are high class. They are built along the coastline, adjacent to the beach, with panoramic views of the ocean and comfortable and modern facilities.

Hotels in Praia do Meio, in Natal, are located along the coastal avenue and are less expensive than those in Ponta Negra. It is possible to find nice, good quality accommodation, and with different rates (see packages).

Tours in Natal

Tours in Natal offer an opportunity to enjoy beaches, the sun, nature and artistic activities suggested by local residents.

Natal has three urban beaches. Praia do Meio, in the north, is surrounded by reefs that, in low tide, make up natural swimming pools ideal for kids; however, in high tide, surf-lovers enjoy its huge waves.

Via Costeira has a coastline of almost 10 Km. (6.2 mi.) of clear waters and excellent infrastructure for guests of nearby hotels. Parque das Dunas (Dunes Park) is located to the north.

Ponta Negra is the most popular beach in Natal, with almost 4 Km. (2.5 mi.) of coast, featuring famous Morro do Careca to the south. This area concentrates all nightlife, offering a wide variety of bars, restaurants, and night clubs along Av. Erivan Franca.

Along the northern and southern coastline, outside Natal, and up to a distance of 80 Km. (50 mi.), there are several beaches for everyone’s taste: calm waters and deserted beaches, with dunes and lagoons, excellent for practicing scuba diving, jet skiing, fishing, and other sports. Some of them are Maracajaú, Genipabu, Pipa, and Baía Formosa.

Parque das Dunas is a green, protected area within Natal, on a surface of 1,200 Ha. (2,965 acres) covered by Brazilian typical groves, vast dunes, and with almost 200 animal species making up the reserve’s fauna.

Fort dos Reis Magos, in Natal, was built by the Portuguese to control the arrival of foreign vessels from the sea or Indian canoes sailing down Potengi River. Its construction was completed on January 6, 1598, and so it is named after the Magi who, according to Western Christianity, visited child Jesus on this date.

An interesting tour is the visit to the greatest cashew tree in the world, in Pirangi, 25 Km. (15.5 mi.) away from Natal. It is recorded in the Guinness Book as the tree that covers the greatest area (8.400 square meters – 2 acres -), due to a genetic mutation.

Transportation and Car Rental in Natal

The service of Car rental in Natal can be hired in the main rentals located at the airport, or it can be booked in advance. It is advisable to hire the service of companies that allow picking up the vehicle there and dropping it off in the city, or vice versa.

Air access is through Augusto Severo International Airport, 20 Km. (6.8 mi.) away from Natal, in the municipality of Parnamirim. Unlike most large airports in Brazil, there is no direct public transportation or van service from there. Taxis, both special and regular, are expensive.

The node of national and inter-municipal bus transportation is Rodoviaria Cidade do Sol Station. From there, buses leave to the most important cities in Brazil.

Natal has city bus and van services, which are generally good. There is a small urban train network, but long distance lines are out of service.

Tourist Information in Natal

Tourist information in Natal can be obtained at Augusto Severo International Airport Tourist Office, at the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Secretariat, at the Administrative Center (Lagoa Nova - Br 101 Km 0), and at Rio Grande do Norte Tourism Secretariat in Natal Convention Center (Av.Senador Dinarte Mariz, S/Nº - Via Costeira).

Making hotel reservations in advance is bly recommended, in particular during the high season extending from November to February, and also in July.