Natal, the capital of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, is a city on the Atlantic coast. Natal has some great beaches, historical sites, and nature areas, and it is a frequently used base for exploring the paradisiac beaches and nature of the Rio Grande do Norte state.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
South: The most affluent area of the city and also where most tourists stay. Contains the Ponta Negra beach and most upscale hotels, shopping malls and restaurants East: Contains the city's Historical Center, important sights such as Forte dos Reis Magos and Ponte de Todos, and beaches that mix visitors and locals such as Praia do Meio and Praia dos Artistas. Also contains the entrance to Parque das Dunas North: An industrial/working class area which is now the most populous of Natal.
Natal was founded on 25 December 1599, hence its name (Natal means Christmas in Portuguese). Unlike other Northeastern capitals, it did not quite benefit from the economic boom resulting from the region's sugar cane production. Instead it grew moderately and more organizedly, burgeoning on the state's cattle-raising activities and salt and oil extraction. Nowadays Natal is one of the 8 most visited cities of Brazil. Unlike other large cities of the Northeast of Brazil, like Recife or Salvador, Natal does not have a fascinating Historical Center or a vivid nightlife.
For finding local bus connections, Moovit covers the city. (As of June 2021) a bus ticket in Natal is R$4 and you don't need a bus card. Without a bus card you don't need to find a way to get and to recharge it. With a bus card it's possible to get a second bus without paying if this is done in less than one hour after the first one. From the shopping centres Midway Mall, Via Direta and Natal Shopping you can find a bus to almost everywhere in the city.
Forte dos Reis Magos (Fortaleza dos Reis Magos), Avenida Presidente Café Filho, s/n, Praia do Forte (next to Ponte Newton Navarro), ☏ +55 84 98746-6605. Tu-Su 08:00-16:00. The star-shaped fortress is the oldest and most important historical construction of Natal. It was built in 1598 to protect the coast against French pirates, and during the colonial period it was perhaps the most important of Brazil's defence barriers. It is located in the water, accessible using a pedestrian path from Praia do Forte. For about 300 years, it worked as military quarters, administration office and prision, and it was also for some time under Dutch control.
Hire a buggy with a driver and travel along the coast, both North and Southwards. The coast of the State of Rio Grande do Norte affords a rare combination of dunes, lagoons, sandstone cliffs and vegetation in between. Watch the sunset by Potengi River. A good spot is near the Army base and there are some ships on the river. The To a Toa Boat Cruise at the Potengi river to watch the sunset. You will see the city from different angles, pass through historical places and neighborhoods, mangrooves, river beaches. Recorded guiding in English and Portuguese. Forró com Turista, Rua Aderbal Figueiredo, 1980, Petrópolis (at Centro de Turismo, the former prision), ☏ +55 84 3211-6218.
Plenty of seafood restaurants with outdoor seating can be found along the beaches. The most typical beach food is "ginga com tapioca" and the best is served at 1 Redinha Public Market. (Don't go there on Sundays as it's very crowded.) 2 TOP Lanches, Av. Praia de Ponta Negra, 307 - Ponta Negra, ☏ +55 994119473. Burger stall with tasty fries, hot dog, burgers and sauces. Hamburgers start from R$6. It's open in the evening from 17:30PM. Whatsapp number: +55 986185389 (updated May 2021) 3 PHOME, Praça Ecológica - Av. Praia de Ponta Negra, 9014 - Ponta Negra. Food stall with tasty local main dishes from R$13 and hamburgers from R$6. It's open in the evening from 17:30.
Ponta Negra nightlife has concentrated along Rua Dr. Manoel Arauju, aso known as Rua da Salsa, a few blocks inland from the beach at kiosk 11. A lot of holiday prostitutes blend in. Near the city center is the Ribeira district with quite a few options. A nighttime cab to Ponta Negra runs close to R$ 50. Buses 46 and 54 do the stretch in about 45 minutes. Buraco da Catita, Rua Câmara Cascudo, Ribeira (Near the Rodoviaria Velha). W-Sa 19:00-00:00. Live music most nights.
The main tourist areas, as in other Brazilian tourist destinations, are relatively safe. It is Brazil, so you should be aware of the recommended safety precautions: watch your belongings, travel well lit streets at night, don't go wandering off to deserted places you don't know and try to avoid walking around alone. If you are driving and following the GPS, pay close attention to where you are going to make sure you aren't entering a slum of sorts. Tourists should be particularly careful in the beaches of the East Side and North Side - in particular, one should never walk alone from Praia do Forte to Forte dos Reis Magos - the area is scarcely policed.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Natal typically sees ~27°C daytime highs and 20 rainy days.
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