My name is Camila and welcome to my travel guide on Rio Grande do Norte. I’m from Florianopolis, the capital of the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. My passion for travel has been with me a long time. I come from a family who has always had this hobby, so I have been traveling since I was a child. Over the years I have visited 19 countries, 11 Brazilian states and been on four exchanges. I also worked in tourism for eight years.
I loved working in this industry but I felt like I hadn’t found myself yet in a professional sense. It was then in October of 2020 that Status Viajante was born! I united my love for travel and social media and found my true vocation as a tourism specialist. Today, I feel accomplished being able to share my knowledge and experiences – inspiring and helping thousands of travelers to plan and travel better. You can follow me here: @statusviajante.
Best Things To Do in Rio Grande do Norte
Rio Grande do Norte was always high on my bucket list of places to see. Natal is one of the most sought after destinations in Brazil (both with locals and foreigners) and I hadn’t been to the Northeast for a long time – so I decided to visit Rio Grande do Norte alone and it was my first ever solo trip in my country! I spent a total of nine days exploring from the north to the south of the state. I was delighted with the beauty of the places I visited.
My main bases were Natal and Pipa. While I was in Natal, I took trips back and forth to discover attractions such as Maracajau, Rio do Fogo, Genipabu and Nisia Floresta. Rio Grande do Norte has the best that the Northeast has to offer: great food, friendly people, beautiful landscapes and sunny days. The contrast of the dunes with the sea, and options for activities like buggy rides, beach hopping and lagoons makes this state so special.
All the experiences I had in Rio Grande do Norte were epic but a tour that was memorable for me was the one in Maracajau. I took a catamaran ride to the “parrachos” (natural pools full of coral and marine life) where I went scuba diving. In the afternoon I went on a quad ride through the dunes and the beach of Maracajau. It was sensational! The feeling of freedom I had as I rode the quad-bike across the beach and dunes was so unique.
From these experiences that I had, I can recommend some awesome things to do on your visit to Rio Grande do Norte. No matter what you are into – whether it be trying fresh seafood, adventure tours like dune buggies or quad biking, swimming in the sea or discovering the rich local culture – I have a recommendation for this state that you will absolutely love. Here are my suggestions for the best things to do in Rio Grande do Norte:
- Eat lots of shrimp dishes
- Enjoy a quad bike adventure
- Go scuba diving in Maracajau
- Explore the craft fairs and markets
- Ride a buggy through the sand dunes
- Visit the largest cashew tree in the world
- Slide down the sand dunes on a board (skibunda)
- Swim close to dolphins at Praia Baía dos Golfinhos Pipa
- Take a boat trip to the natural pools of Maracajau and Rio do Fogo.
Tips for your Visit to this Beautiful State
Alongside the activities mentioned above, you should also try to meet the local people of Rio Grande do Norte as they are some of the friendliest and most receptive people in Brazil. The most amazing thing about traveling is experiencing new cultures and that is very present in this state. I’m from the south and we have a big contrast when we venture up to the north. You encounter multiple cultures and different realities within the same country.
Gastronomy is another thing not to be missed in Rio Grande do Norte. Foods like tapioca, dried meat, coalho cheese, shrimp, cashew apple juice – there are so many delicious options. Some restaurants that I loved and recommend in Natal are Camaroes Restaurant, NAU Frutos do Mar (seafood), Casa de Taipa and Mangai. For accommodation, I think it’s best to stay in Pipa and Sao Miguel do Gostoso – two wonderful places.
The biggest tip I have for your travels in Rio Grande do Norte is to take your time exploring the state. It’s worth staying for a few days at each destination to soak up the atmosphere and experience the main tours. You could do something like this: six days in Natal, three days in Pipa and three days in Sao Miguel do Gostoso. And what is more, prepare yourself because it’s surely going to be one of your most unforgettable trips to date!
