Brazil's North-East Region
The Ultimate Brazil Travel Guide: Natal
Ride the sand dunes of Genipabu and enjoy Ponta Negra beach with its iconic Morro do Careca dune.
Natal, the capital of Rio Grande do Norte, is famous for its sand dunes, warm waters, and consistent sunshine. The city’s most iconic landmarks include the Forte dos Reis Magos and the Genipabu Dunes, where visitors can enjoy dune buggy rides and camel rides. Natal is also a gateway to the stunning Pipa Beach and the largest cashew tree in the world, located in the nearby town of Pirangi.
Top 8 Things to See & Do in Natal
Visit Forte dos Reis Magos: This star-shaped fortress was built in 1598 at the mouth of the Potengi River. It served as a defensive point during the colonial period and offers views of the sea and city. The site includes a small museum with historical artefacts.
Explore Genipabu Dunes: A large dune system located about 25 kilometres north of Natal. Activities include dune buggy rides, sandboarding and camel rides. The area also has lagoons suitable for swimming and kite surfing.
Relax at Ponta Negra Beach: The most popular urban beach in Natal. It has calm waters, a wide range of restaurants and bars, and the iconic Morro do Careca dune at its southern end. The area is lively in the evenings with street vendors and music.
Visit Pipa Beach: Located about 85 kilometres south of Natal, Pipa is known for its cliffs, clear waters and marine life. Guided day trips are available from Natal, often including dolphin watching and buddy rides.
Go snorkeling at Maracajaú: About 60 kilometres north of Natal, Maracajaú is famous for its natural coral reefs known as the “Parrachos.” Snorkelling tours provide equipment and access to the reefs where visitors can see tropical fish and marine life. Alternatively, some tours offer trips in a glass-bottom boat tours to observe marine life without getting wet.
Walk through Natal’s Historic Centre: Visit the Praça André de Albuquerque and the Catedral Metropolitana. The area has colonial architecture, cultural centres and local markets showcasing crafts and food.
Visit the Natal Aquarium (Aquário Natal): Located near Ponta Negra Beach, it features Amazonian and Atlantic marine species, including turtles, fish and crustaceans. It serves educational purposes and promotes conservation awareness.
See the Cajueiro de Pirangi: Situated about 20 kilometres south of Natal, it is the largest cashew tree in the world. The tree covers around 8,500 square metres, as large as approximately 70 normal cashew trees, and has a visitor centre with information about its history and biology.
How long to spend in Natal
Around 2 days is sufficient to explore Natal and the Genipabu Dunes. However, it is worth spending more days if you plan to take day trips to explore nearby beaches such as Pipa and Maracajaú.
Where to stay in Natal
In Natal, the main area to stay is Ponta Negra, which has the highest concentration of hotels, restaurants and beach access. It is generally considered safer than other parts of the city, especially near the beachfront and main avenues.
Find cheap accommodation for your stay in Natal.
Ponta Negra Beach, Natal
Where is Natal, Brazil
Quick Facts about Natal
Population of Natal
784,249 people (IBGE, 2025)
Nicknames
People from Natal are called natalenses, while people from anywhere else in Rio Grande do Norte State are called potiguares.
Closest airport
Aeroporto Internacional de Natal - Gov. Aluízio Alves (NAT)
Main bus terminal
Terminal Rodoviário de Natal
How to get to Natal
How to get to Natal by bus or plane
There are frequent bus and flight connections to Natal. Natal is connected with direct international flights from Lisbon and Buenos Aires, as well as domestic flights from Recife , Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and others.
Busses connect Natal with many of Brazil's best beaches in the north-east, such as Pipa (2 hours), and the cities of Recife (4-5.5 hours) and Fortaleza (8-9 hours).
See all bus connections and find cheap tickets to Natal
BlaBlaCar, a carpooling app, is also a cheap and convenient way to get around. It is commonly used around the the northeast coast of Brazil and there are usually several rides available.
How to get to Natal from Pipa
Busses from Pipa depart from the carpark at Terminal de Ônibus Pipa/Natal, and run every 1-2 hours. The bus is scheduled to run from 5am to 6:30pm - however delays are common. It costs R$24 and takes around 1.5-2 hours, depending on traffic and the time of day.
There are also some transfer services available from Pipa to Natal Airport.
How to get to Natal from Recife
Busses run regularly between the cities of Natal and Recife, taking around 5-6 hours (tickets).
How to get to Natal from Fortaleza
Busses run regularly between the cities of Natal and Fortaleza, taking at least 8+ hours (tickets).
Top tours from Natal
Is Natal safe for tourists
Like any big city, there are safer and more dangerous areas, but the majority of tourists who stay in the tourist areas and take some simple precautions will not have problems. Sticking to well-known areas, planning your movements in advance, and being aware of your surroundings will go a long way in avoiding trouble.
In Natal, Ponta Negra is the main area recommended for visitors, known for its beach, restaurants, and hotels. Other parts of the city, including the city centre and surrounding neighbourhoods, require extra caution, especially at night.
These are my personal recommendations for ways you can stay safe in Natal:
Book accommodation in Ponta Negra, the recommended area for visitors
Do not leave your belongings unattended on the beach
Use Uber or other reputable rideshare services with a credit card linked to your account, as it avoids handling cash and provides a digital record of your trip
Avoid walking at night, particularly in quieter neighbourhoods or streets with little lighting
Keep your phone, jewellery, and other valuables out of sight when in public or travelling on public transport
Be cautious when withdrawing cash, choose ATMs located inside banks or shopping centres
If in doubt, ask your hotel or host for up-to-date local advice on places to avoid
Travel insurance for Natal
Travel insurance is not just a nice-to-have, it is an important safety-net that can prevent a stressful incident from turning into a costly and time-consuming disaster. The reality is that unexpected events can happen on any trip. Even something as simple as missing a connecting flight can lead to unexpected accommodation and transport costs. If you become unwell, medical bills in another country can quickly become expensive. Without insurance, you have to handle all of this on your own in an unfamiliar environment, possibly in a language you do not speak.
I have personally relied on travel insurance multiple times, including when I had belongings stolen in Europe, fell sick while travelling in Asia, and had flights cancelled. In each case, the support I received meant I could focus on solving the problem instead of worrying about costs.
For a small daily cost, you can be covered for a wide range of scenarios, from theft to delayed flights and medical emergencies. Having one phone number to call and a company that deals with the problem for you is worth far more than the price of the policy. I personally use Safety Wing, and I recommend them to friends, family, and anyone travelling internationally. You can get a quote here.
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