Brazil's North-East Region
The Ultimate Brazil Travel Guide: Pipa
Spot dolphins while you learn to surf below Pipa's stunning cliff-lined beaches
Pipa, located in Rio Grande do Norte, is a famous beach town known for its steep pink cliffs, clear waters, and lively atmosphere. Surrounded by natural beauty, including Baia dos Golfinhos (Dolphin Bay) and the Pipa Ecological Sanctuary, Pipa attracts visitors with opportunities for dolphin watching, surfing, kitesurfing, and hiking. The town’s vibrant nightlife and relaxed beach vibe make it a popular destination for both international and local travelers as well as digital nomads.
Top 10 Things to See & Do in Pipa
Take a buggy tour of Pipa's beaches and rivers: Explore the coastline and inland waterways on a guided buggy ride. The tours typically include stops at Praia do Amor, Praia do Centro, Sibaúma and the Tibau do Sul river mouth.
Swim with dolphins at Baía dos Golfinhos: Visit the protected bay known for its resident wild dolphins. Swimming with the dolphins is only permitted in certain areas to protect the animals. Best times to visit are early morning or late afternoon.
Take a surf lesson at Praia do Madeiro: This beach offers consistent waves suitable for beginners and intermediate surfers. Several local schools provide group or private lessons with equipment rental included.
Relax at Praia do Amor: Known for its heart-shaped cove, this beach has calm waters on one side and stronger waves on the other. It is popular for sunbathing, swimming and beachside dining.
Explore the Pipa Ecological Sanctuary: This private reserve covers coastal forest, cliffs and beaches. It offers marked trails for hiking and wildlife observation including howler monkeys, birds and sea turtles.
Visit Mirante do Chapadão: A cliff-top lookout offering panoramic views of Praia do Amor. It is a popular spot for both sunrise and sunset.
Take a boat tour through the mangroves: Guided boat trips explore the nearby mangrove forests. These tours provide information on local flora and fauna and often include birdwatching opportunities.
Experience the nightlife in Pipa village: The village has several bars and live music venues.
On a tight schedule? Consider a day trip to Pipa from Natal
How long to spend in Pipa
It is recommended to spend at least 3 days in Pipa to see a variety of the town's local beaches and to take a full-day buggy trip.
Ready to plan your trip? Read my itinerary for How to Spend 3 Days in Pipa
Where to stay in Pipa
Pipa is a small town and most accommodation is walking distance from the centre and beaches. While the centro area is most conveniently located for access to the main street, shops, and restaurants, at times it can be noisy. The area around Praia do Amor is quieter and surrounded by nature, and close to the beach, though a longer walk from the town centre.
Find cheap accommodation for your stay in Pipa, or check out my personal recommendations:
Hotels
Toca da Coruja - a five-star luxury experience with outdoor bathtubs (availability)
Hotel Casablanca - nestled between the forest and the beach (availability)
Hotel Sombra e Água Fresca - sea-views by Praia do Amor (availability)
Pousadas (Guesthouse)
Kûara Pipa - boutique guesthouse with a small pool (availability)
Pousada Alto da Pipa - a luxury boutique with gym and pool (availability)
Paua Hotel Boutique - uniquely designed, located by Chapadao (availability)
CASA VIDASURF - guesthouse with a terrace and yoga classes (availability)
Backpacker Hostels
Hostel do Ceu - social hostel with swimming pool and weekly Monday night jam session (availability)
Hostel Casa de Jack - rustic beachfront hostel with a more hippy vibe (availability)
Lagarto Na Banana - hostel in the forest with communal breakfast and dinners (availability)
Where is Pipa, Brazil
Closest airport
The closest airport is located in Natal (NAT)
Main bus terminal
Terminal de Ônibus Pipa/Natal
N/A
Main ports
Check out my epic 3 day travel itinerary for Pipa!
How to get to Pipa
Pipa is situated on the north-east coast of Brazil, between Natal and Recife. Both cities have an international airport and good intercity bus connections. It is easy to reach Pipa by bus from both cities.
See all bus connections and find cheap tickets to Pipa
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. Rides to Pipa from Recife or Joao Pessoa may drop you off in Goianinha, and from here you will need to take a minivan or Uber to Pipa.
How to get to Pipa from Natal
From Terminal Rodoviário de Natal (map) there is a regular direct bus to Pipa. The bus is scheduled to depart almost every hour on the hour, from 6am to 6pm - 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 Natal Airport, with hotel drop-off.
How to get to Pipa from Recife
From Terminal Rodoviário do Recife (TIP) (map), take a bus in the direction of Natal. Ask the driver to let you off in Goianinha, 3.5-4 hours from Recife (tickets).
From Goianinha, a minivan runs regularly to Pipa departing from the front of the church called Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres (map). The van ride takes around 40 minutes and costs R$5.50 (2025). It is also possible to take an Uber or 99 from Goianinha to Pipa for a higher price.
There are also some transfer services available with hotel pick-up and drop-off.
How to get to Pipa from Salvador
There is no direct bus to Pipa from Salvador. To travel to Pipa, the fastest route is to take the overnight bus from Terminal Rodoviário de Salvador (map) to Recife (tickets). From here, follow the directions for how to get to Pipa from Recife.
While there is a direct bus from Salvador to Goianinha, this is option is not recommended as the travel time is significantly longer.
Top tours to Pipa from Natal
How to get around Pipa
Many of Pipa's beaches can be reached by foot from town. A local van runs along the coast providing access to several beaches that are further away.
Check the tide times before going to Baia dos Golfinos. You can access this beach by foot from the main beach at low tide, but make sure to return before high-tide or you may be stuck there! There is no access via the surrounding cliffs.
Things to know before you go
Pipa is a small coastal town, popular for surfing. There are many surf schools in town, as well as schools and rentals operating on several of Pipa's beaches. If you're lucky, you can surf among dolphins on Praia dos Golfinos as well as some of the other popular surf beaches. Pipa is notoriously windy, and has also become a popular place for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
Pipa is increasingly popular among digital nomads, and now offers several co-working and co-living spaces.
If possible, bring enough cash for your trip. The only ATM available in Pipa is the "Banco 24 Hours", which attracts a very high fee for foreign cards and doesn't always work.
Is Pipa safe for tourists
Pipa is considered a safe destination for visitors. The atmosphere is relaxed, and it is a very different experience compared to larger Brazilian cities. As with any trip, it is still sensible to follow a few simple precautions, but these are more about peace of mind than real risk.
A few tips to stay safe in Pipa:
Keep an eye on your belongings at the beach, or ask someone to watch them if you go for a swim
Don't walk around with large amounts of cash, carry only the cash you need for the day or a credit card
At night, stick to the main streets or paths where other visitors and locals are walking
Ask your pousada or host if you are unsure about the best routes or areas to explore
Travel insurance for Pipa
Travel insurance is not just a nice-to-have, it is an important safety-net that can prevent a stressful incident from turning into an expensive 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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