Natal

Natal

It's hard to out-do the beaches of Natal, for the choices are many and varied. Ocean, lagoon and freshwater strands beckon a host of visitors to the capital of Brazil's Northern State. To make the most of your time here, take a buggy tour over the dunes, and don't miss the cathedral, theater, palaces and monuments of this vibrant metropolis.

Shopping

Natal is notorious for its handicrafts, in particular lace and embroidered linens, handicrafts, hammocks etc available at the Centro de Artesanato a tourist center.

Food

Lobster and shrimp are the specialty here, available in a number of good restaurants along the Via Costeira seafront. Among typical Brazilian dishes is the Sun Meat, an amazing mix of dry meat, beans and manioc flour. Tropical fruits are delicious and plentiful. Brazilians enjoy their coffee, cafezinho, sweet and strong. Beer called chopp, is excellent; the two best-known brands are Antarctica and Brahma. The national liquor is made from sugar cane and is fierce as tequila. Cachaca is also the basic ingredient for the country’s most popular drink, the caipirinha. In general, hot, freshly cooked food should be safe, but you should avoid salads and raw vegetables. Drink only bottled water and beverages.

Currency

The Brazilian currency is the Real (hay-ahl), and Reais (hay-ice) for the plural. The symbol for the Real is R$.

Weather Forecast

Sailing Calendar

Click to view sailings.