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Natal travel guide

From landing at the airport to a buggy ride on the dunes: what's good to know before traveling to Natal and the coast of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

From the airport to your hotel

Natal International Airport is in São Gonçalo do Amarante, in the Natal metro area. See how long the drive takes to each destination and what a private transfer costs, with your driver waiting at arrivals.

Destination	Driving time	Private transferper car, up to 4 people
Natal and Ponta Negra	35–45 min	R$150.00
Pipa	1h20–1h40	R$250.00
São Miguel do Gostoso	1h30–2h	R$300.00
João Pessoa	On request	On request
Recife	On request	On request

We track your flight: if it's delayed, there's no extra charge.
The price is the same each way and agreed before the trip.
On the way back, pickup time is set from your flight time, with a safety margin.

See all transfers

How to pay

Tours and transfers can be paid by PIX (Brazil's instant payment), credit card, debit card or cash. Prices are in Brazilian reais (R$).
The price is per car (up to 4 people), not per person, and agreed in advance. Larger groups travel in more than one car.
Entrance tickets, environmental fees, boat trips and day-use passes are paid on site, directly to each attraction. Bring some cash or have PIX ready.
Cancel at least 48 hours ahead for a full refund; between 24 and 48 hours, you get 50% back. If the weather is bad, we reschedule at no cost or refund you.

See the FAQ

What to bring

Sunscreen
The coastal sun is strong all year round.
Hat or cap
Extra protection on beaches and dunes.
Sunglasses
A must against sand and wind on the buggy.
Swimwear and a towel
For the lagoons and natural pools.
Water
It's hot: keep a bottle close by.
Comfortable shoes
Flip-flops or sandals for the stops.
Cash or PIX
For local fees, boats and souvenirs.
A charged phone
For photos and keeping in touch with your driver.

Traveling with kids? Let us know when you book if you need a child car seat. For the buggy ride, bring a light top for the wind.

Tides and natural pools

The natural pools of Maracajaú and Praia do Centro in Pipa show up at low tide. In Natal the tide rises and falls twice a day, and the times shift from one day to the next. That's why the Maracajaú tour has no fixed departure: the exact time is confirmed 1 to 2 days before. Galinhos has a fixed departure time.

Around the new and full moon the tide drops even lower and the water gets clearer. In Natal, the lowest new-moon tides fall in the late morning; the full-moon ones, at night.

Tide table for the next few days

Loading the tide table…

Very low tide: low tide of 0.2 m or less between 7 am and 3 pm, when the natural pools are at their shallowest.

Official Brazilian Navy tide table for the Port of Natal, in Natal time. In Maracajaú and Pipa the times differ by a few minutes, and your driver confirms the best window on the day.

See the very low tides of each month

Staying safe on the dunes

Tours across the Genipabu dunes, on the North Coast, are done by buggy. It's great fun, and a few precautions make the day even more relaxed.

Ride with a licensed buggy driver: they know the terrain, which changes with the wind, and the rules of the Environmental Protection Area.
Before the steep drops, say whether you want it "with thrills" or "without thrills". The driver adapts to your group.
Wear your seat belt and stay seated while the buggy is moving.
Put away phones and loose items on the drops; sunglasses keep sand out of your eyes.
The Genipabu Environmental Protection Area charges an environmental fee, paid on site.

See the buggy tour Rules for the dunes and protected areas

Weather

Natal gets about 2,980 hours of sunshine a year and warm water all year round, between 27 °C and 30 °C. Rain is concentrated from March to July; September to December is the driest stretch.

See the weather month by month

Frequently asked questions

About 35–45 min by car. A private transfer costs R$150.00 per car, for up to 4 people, with your driver waiting at arrivals.

About 1h20–1h40 by car. A private transfer costs R$250.00 per car, for up to 4 people, with your driver waiting at arrivals.

About 1h30–2h by car. A private transfer costs R$300.00 per car, for up to 4 people, with your driver waiting at arrivals.

PIX, credit card, debit card and cash. Entrance tickets, environmental fees and boat trips are paid on site, directly to each attraction.

At low tide, which changes every day. Maracajaú tours leave according to the tide table, with the time confirmed 1 to 2 days before. Around the new and full moon the tide gets even lower.

Yes, when you ride with a licensed driver, keep your seat belt on and agree on the thrill level before the drops. On the Cabra da Peste Tour buggy tour, the buggy is just for your group.

Build your itinerary

An itinerary that fits your group

Tick what you enjoy and what matters to the people traveling with you. Our team puts together a plan with the route, time at each stop and prices, and sends it to you on WhatsApp.

What you want to see