Welcome to Natal - Rio Grande do Norte - Brazil
Natal, also known as the Sun City and Land of Shrimps, is the capital of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil’s northeastern gem. With year-round summer weather, the city combines natural beauty, history, and vibrant culture. Founded in 1599, Natal offers a mix of colonial landmarks, such as the Three Wise Men Fortress (Forte dos Reis Magos) and Old Cathedral, along with modern attractions like the Via Costeira, a scenic coastal highway connecting the main beaches and hotels.
Tourism Highlights
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Natural Beauty: Natal is surrounded by sand dunes, lagoons, and pristine beaches.
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Adventure Activities: Visitors can enjoy buggy rides, sandboarding, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and diving.
Beaches
In-Town Beaches (North to South):
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Praia de Redinha
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Praia do Forte
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Praia do Meio
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Praia dos Artistas
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Praia de Ponta Negra (most famous, featuring the iconic Morro do Careca - 120m high sand dune)
Northern Beaches:
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Genipabu - featuring 30m high sand dunes with sports activities (sand boarding, mule rides, dromedary rides)
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Jacumã and Muriú - regional restaurants with all-you-can-eat options
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Maracajaú - famous for "Parrachos de Maracajaú" (natural pools 6km offshore)
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Maxaranguape, São Miguel do Gostoso, Touros
Southern Beaches:
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Pipa - one of Brazil's top 10 beaches, known for vibrant nightlife
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Pirangi do Norte - home to the world's largest cashew tree (8,000 m²)
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Búzios, Cotovelo, Tibau do Sul
Historical Sites
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Forte dos Reis Magos (Three Wise Men Fortress) - Built in 1598, the fortress that gave origin to the city
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Alberto Maranhão Theatre - Historical cultural venue
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Newton Navarro Bridge - Modern architectural landmark
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The Old Cathedral - Historic religious building
Other Attractions
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Parque das Dunas - Second-largest urban park in Brazil
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Via Costeira - 10km coastal highway connecting beaches with hotels and restaurants
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Barreira do Inferno - Rocket launch facility
Activities
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Buggy rides through dunes and beaches
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Windsurf and kitesurf
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Scuba diving
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Water sports at various beaches
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Sand boarding at Genipabu
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Boat trips to natural pools (Maracajaú)
Cuisine & Dining Recommendations
Natal’s gastronomy features seafood and regional dishes rich in local flavor
Typical Dishes:
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Shrimp-based dishes (city specialty)
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Carne de sol (sun-cured meat) with arroz de leite
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Paçoca potiguar (mashed sun-cured meat with yucca flour)
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Tapioca (yucca flour tortilla)
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Baião de Dois (rice and beans cooked together)
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Queijo de coalho with molasses (local dessert)
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Galinha à cabidela.
Local Gastronomy Highlights
Regional Cuisine
Mangai
Extensive local dishes, self-service by kilo
Address: Av. Amintas Barros, 3300 - Lagoa Nova
Phone: (84) 3206-3344
Tabua de Carne
Meat specialties including sun-dried meat (large portions for 2-3 people)
Locations:
- Ponta Negra: Av. Eng. Roberto Freire | Phone: (84) 3642-1236
- Via Costeira | Phone: (84) 3202-5838
Seafood
Camarões Potiguar
Best shrimp restaurant in town (large portions for 2-3 people)
Address: Rua Pedro da Fonseca Filho, 8887 - Ponta Negra
Phone: (84) 3209-2425
NAU
Diverse seafood menu with Brazilian products
Address: Rua Pedro da Fonseca Filho, 8887 - Ponta Negra
Phone: (84) 3209-2425
Steakhouses
Sal e Brasa
Steaks with 60-item salad buffet (large portions for 2-3 people)
Address: Av. Engenheiro Roberto Freire, 1426 - Capim Macio
Phone: (84) 3217-5919
Fogo e Chama
Rotating cuts with ocean view at Praia do Meio
Address: Rua Doutor José Augusto Bezerra de Medeiros, 10 - Praia do Meio
Phone: (84) 3202-1971
Italian Cuisine
Piazalle Italia
Address: Avenida Deputado Antonio Florencio de Queiroz, 12 - Rota do Sol, Ponta Negra
Phone: (84) 3236-2697
Cipó Brasil
Best pizza in town
Address: Rua Aristides Porpino Filho, 3111 - Alto de Ponta Negra
Phone: (84) 3219-5227
Pizza Pazza
Italian cuisine with homemade pasta and pizzas
Address: Avenida Praia de Ponta Negra, 8816 - Ponta Negra
Portuguese Cuisine
Botequim do Bacalhau
Authentic Portuguese food with cod specialties
Address: Av. Praia de Ponta Negra, 8980 - Ponta Negra
Santa Maria
Portuguese restaurant with numerous cod dishes
Address: Rua Rodolfo Garcia, 2147 C - Lagoa Nova
Beachfront Restaurants
Barramares
Crab and regional food by the beach (open Tuesday-Sunday, 9am-5pm)
Location: Praia de Cotovelo, 10 km from Natal via Rota do Sol
Falezias Restaurant
Spectacular view of Cotovelo Beach with sea and regional food
Location: Cotovelo Beach
Old 5
Bar/restaurant with view of Morro do Careca
Address: Rua Erivan França, 230 - Ponta Negra
Nightlife
Dom Cervantes
Caipirinhas from various fruits
Address: Rua Ângelo Varela, 1032, sala I - Tirol
Phone: (84) 3212-2476
Dom Vinicius
Live music every night with regional snacks (acarajé potiguar style)
Address: Rua Ângelo Varela, 1041 - Tirol
Phone: (84) 3212-2476
Garota Carioca
Brazilian rhythms: samba, pagode, and MPB
Address: Rua Praia de Muriú, 20 (Rota do Sol)
Taverna Pub
Medieval-style pub with varied musical styles (open Mon-Sat after 10pm)
Address: Rua Doutor Manoel Augusto Bezerra de Araújo, 500 - Alto da Ponta Negra
Cervejaria Devassa
Brazilian brewery with meals and appetizers
Address: Rua Pedro Fonseca Filho, 10.000 - Ponta Negra
Só Mais Uma
Live performances Wed-Sun: pop rock, pagode, samba, sertanejo
Address: Avenida Engenheiro Roberto Freire, 8750 - quiosque 5, Praça do Ponto Sete - Ponta Negra
Decky
Gastronomy and live music, shrimp specialties
Address: Rua Pedro Fonseca Filho, 9100 - Ponta Negra
Practical Information
Getting Around
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Taxi services available
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Bus system
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Via Costeira connects main beach areas
Weather
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Two seasons: rainy and dry
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Summer: ~35°C (95°F)
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Winter nights: ~25°C (77°F)
Safety Tips
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Avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas at night
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Use taxis or public transportation after dark
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Keep valuables discrete
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Don't display expensive jewelry or electronics
Local Culture
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Hospitable population
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Forró music originated here
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June festivals celebrating Saint John (especially in Mossoró)
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"Carnatal" - off-season carnival
Contact Information
Emergency Services:
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Police: 190
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Ambulance: 192
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Fire Department: 193
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Federal Police: 194
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Civil Police: 197
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Civil Defence: 199
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Highway Police: 191 / (84) 3203-1550
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State Highway Police: 198
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Tourist Police: (84) 3232-7404
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Environmental Police: (84) 3232-7402
Transportation:
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Airport: (84) 3644-1000
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Traffic Department: (84) 3232-9144
Utilities:
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Post Office: 0800 56 0159
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Power Company: 0800 701 0800
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Water and Sewage: 0800 84 0195
Other Services:
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Motor Vehicle: 0800 84 1514
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Campus Police: 0800 84 2050
Hospitals (Emergency/Urgency Treatment)
Hospital do Coração de Natal
Address: R. Coronel Auris Coelho, 235 - Lagoa Nova, Natal - RN
Casa de Saúde São Lucas
Address: R. Maxaranguape, 614 - Tirol, Natal - RN
Prontoclínica e Maternidade Doutor Paulo Gurgel
Address: R. Monte Sinai, 1948 - Capim Macio, Natal - RN
Hospital e Maternidade Promater
Address: R. São José, 1979 - Lagoa Seca, Natal - RN
Natal Hospital Center
Address: Avenida Afonso Pena, 754 - Tirol, Natal - RN
General Information
- Location: Northeastern Brazil, on the Atlantic coast.
- Climate: Tropical, average 26°C (79°F).
- Population: ~900,000 (Natal) / 3.1 million (state).
- Timezone: GMT -3.
- Voltage: 220V, plug type N.
- Tourist Info: Via Costeira and Ponta Negra are the main hotel and tourist zones.
- Airport: Governador Aluízio Alves International Airport – São Gonçalo do Amarante, ~40 km from downtown Natal.
