Things to do in Natal
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Ponta Negra
Ponta Negra, at the far south end of the city, is the nicest beach in Natal - nearly 3km long and full of hotels, pousadas, restaurants, beach bars, surfers and sailing boats. On weekends it gets pretty packed: the northern part of the beach, with its pedestrian-only walkway, is less crowded. The surf here is consistent if small: you can rent boards from a few places along the beach for around R$25 a day. At the south end of the beach is Morro da Careca, a spectacularly high sand dune with a steep face that drops straight into the sea. Access to the dune has been closed off to prevent further erosion and damage to the primary Atlantic rain forest that covers it.
reviewed
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Mamma Itália
If you're in the center or the northern part of town, it's worth stopping in here for quality Italian fare. The spinach-and-ricotta ravioli is divine.
reviewed
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Associação de Bugeiros
Dune-buggy excursions are offered by a host of would-be Ayrton Senna bugeiros (buggy drivers), mostly in Brazilian-built vehicles with brand names such as Bird, Baby, Praya or Malibuggy.
There are pirate bugeiros and accredited bugeiros; the latter are represented by the Associação de Bugeiros. You can arrange buggy trips through most pousadas, agencies or, if you speak some Portuguese, directly with drivers.
To the north are the dunes of Genipabu, which are the biggest around. You'll be asked if you want the trip com emoção (with emotion), and if you agree you'll be treated to thrills such as Wall of Death and Vertical Descent. It is possible to go as far as you like…
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Choperia Petrópolis
This corner boteco in bohemian Petrópolis is little more than a few wooden tables thrown down on the sidewalk but it serves yummy specialties like pernilao forno (pork leg), good caldinhos (spicy bean soup) and stone cold chope. There’s live choro (mostly instrumental, highly improvised music), samba, MPB and bossa nova catering to an artsy crowd. Its pastelaria (place that serves fried dough pastries stuffed with various ingredients) across the street serves decadent sweet pastéis (fried pastries).
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Sancho Music Club
The Alto de Ponta Negra neighborhood in the upper part of Ponta Negra, around Rua Manoel AB de Araújo and Rua Aristides Porpino Filho, is dense with a variety of bars, though most are almost cringingly steeped in sex tourism, a major problem in Natal. Sancho Music Club, with tapas and chope is one of the less slimy spots. This area, especially around Centro Comercial O Jardim, is packed from Wednesday to Saturday nights.
reviewed
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Rastapé
The Alto de Ponta Negra neighborhood in the upper part of Ponta Negra, around Rua Manoel AB de Araújo and Rua Aristides Porpino Filho, is dense with a variety of bars, though most are almost cringingly steeped in sex tourism, a major problem in Natal. Rastapé here, famous for live forró, is one of the less slimy spots. This area, especially around Centro Comercial O Jardim, is packed from Wednesday to Saturday nights.
reviewed
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Camarões Restaurante
Natal’s most famous restaurant is a prawn-lover’s palace – some 36 varieties of creative shrimp dishes are served with a few meat choices for those allergic to shellfish. Cabugi (sautéed with farm butter, mushrooms, capers, white wine, cilantro and tomatoes) and potiguar (sautéed with vegetables, dendê – a reddish palm oil – and creamy coconut sauce) are the most popular preparations. Dishes serve two people only.
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Alto de Ponta Negra
The Alto de Ponta Negra , a neighborhood in the upper part of Ponta Negra, around Rua Manoel AB de Araújo and Rua Aristides Porpino Filho, away from the tackier after-dark scene nearer the beach, is dense with a variety of fun bars and restaurants. It's packed with locals and visitors having a good time till dawn, Wednesday to Saturday nights. Just wander along after 23:00 and see which places draw you in.
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Forte dos Reis Magos
Enjoy a tapioca ice cream at the Forte dos Reis Magos that got Natal started. The fort, founded in 1598, is still in its original five-point star shape and contains a chapel, a well, cannons and soldiers’ quarters. The views of the city and the dunes across the Rio Potengi are fantastic from this prime location on the reef at the tip of the peninsula north of town.
reviewed
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Natal Fort
Enjoy a tapioca ice cream at Natal fort, the fort that got Natal started. The Forte dos Reis Magos, founded in 1598, is still in its original five-point star shape and contains a chapel, well, cannons and soldiers' quarters. The views of the city and the dunes across the Rio Potengi are fantastic from this prime location on the reef at the tip of the peninsula north of town.
reviewed
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Casa de Taipa
This hugely popular palm-thatched eatery specializes in great local tapioca and couscous creations. The tapiocas come with a lightly fried tapioca shell around fillings ranging from vegetables and cheeses to carne de sol (grilled salted meat) or prawns. The mini-tapioca appetizers (pesticos) are a real riot.
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Decky
Stocks Brazil’s most accessible microbrews (Eisenbahn, Devassa and Baden Baden) along with live rock, blues, jazz and MPB every night from 8pm. Plop down on the massive, wind-struck patio or inside the spacious main room with air-con – it’s the most popular spot in Ponta Negra and caters across several age brackets.
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Sgt Pepper’s Rock Bar
Good for food (excellent burgers) and fun, both downtown and at its newest location in Ponta Negra, this hip bar/restaurant dreamed up the North-east caipirinha (pineapple, mint and cinnamon/clove-infused cachaça) and hosts a handle of resident pop, rock and blues acts.
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Cipó Brasil
A unanimous favorite with a jungle theme, this is a fun place for sesame-crusted pizza (the newly added pesto was a knockout) and crepes, both savory and sweet, and is a starting point for evenings out. Prepare for a wait list.
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Juke Box Pub
This new 1950s-themed hot spot in the city center hosts live bands and DJs in two environments: the corner bar (with live pagode; popular samba music, on Saturdays) and the much more popular nightclub above.
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Taverna Pub
Attached to the Lua Cheia Hostel and resembling a pub inside a medieval castle, this ever-popular tavern has nightly music, from live Brazilian rhythms to ’70s disco and blues. No flip-flops.
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Tábua de Carne
This restaurant, 1.5km north of the north end of Ponta Negra, serves a great all-you-can-eat meat rodizio (smorgasbord), including that regional favorite, carne do sol.
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Tempero Mineiro
A simple, open-air place handy to the Albergue da Costa, Tempero Mineiro does good-value pratos feitos (plate of the day) of steak, chicken, pasta or fish.
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Aventura Turismo/Cariri Ecotours
This long-standing pair is experienced in tours from Natal; Aventura does coastal routes and Cariri handles inland trips. They also provide travel-agency services.
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Praia da Barreira d'Água
South of the lighthouse, the coast road Via Costeira continues 7km south to Ponta Negra, passing the calm Praia da Barreira d'Água with its resort hotels.
reviewed
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Praia dos Artistas
Praia dos Artistas is an urban beach with good surfing waves. It used to be the hub of Natal nightlife but is now pretty sketchy after dark.
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Buggy Trip on the Northcoast from Natal
8 hours (Departs Natal, Brazil)
by Viator
Enjoy a relaxing day on the North coast! Go for a buggy ride on the beaches of Jenipabu, Pitangui and Jacuma and prepare to be enchanted by the lagoons formed…Not LP reviewed
from USD$137.99 -
Pipa Beach from Natal
8 hours (Departs Natal, Brazil)
by Viator
Considered to be one of Brazil's ten most beautiful beaches, Pipa boasts stunning scenery and nature. Home to a portion of the Atlantic Rainforest and cliffs…Not LP reviewed
from USD$64.99 -
Maracajau from Natal
8 hours (Departs Natal, Brazil)
by Viator
Maracajau, known as the "Brazilian Caribbean", is a beach that offers natural beauty untouched by urbanization. Enjoy the breathtaking views and a diving…Not LP reviewed
from USD$115.99 -
Galinhos from Natal
10 hours (Departs Natal, Brazil)
by Viator
Located on the beautiful Costa Branca, Galinhos is an old fishing village with stunning natural surrounds. Home to a semi-deserted beach, the small town boasts…Not LP reviewed
from USD$90.99