Sun-soaked beaches line this Brazilian coastal city. Known for vibrant nightlife and flavorful local cuisine, it's a popular destination on the Atlantic shore.
Natal, the capital of Rio Grande do Norte in northeastern Brazil, sits along an extensive coastline with vast beaches and towering sand dunes. The city basks in year-round sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities. You can explore the star-shaped Forte dos Reis Magos, ride buggies through the dunes of Genipabu, or savor fresh seafood at beachfront restaurants. Natal's relaxed atmosphere and scenic coast make it an excellent base for discovering nearby seaside towns and natural wonders.
Exploring Natal's Beaches
Natal's coastline stretches for miles, with beaches to suit various tastes. At Ponta Negra Beach, you'll find calm waters for swimming and numerous restaurants and shops along the shore. For a more local experience, head to Redinha Beach in the north, where you can view the city skyline and enjoy affordable seafood dishes. Thrill-seekers should visit Genipabu Beach, home to massive sand dunes where you can try sandboarding or take an exhilarating buggy ride.
Natural Wonders: Parque das Dunas
Adjacent to the coast lies Parque das Dunas, an 11.7 million square meter nature reserve. This urban park, the second largest in Brazil, creates a stark contrast to the nearby beaches. Walk through trails surrounded by native Atlantic Forest vegetation, spot local wildlife, and climb to viewpoints for panoramic views of the city and ocean. The park plays a crucial role in ecological preservation and helps regulate Natal's climate.
Savoring Natal's Cuisine
Natal's coastal location heavily influences its cuisine, with seafood playing a starring role in many local dishes. Try the regional specialty "ginga com tapioca," a small fried fish served with tapioca flour. For a heartier meal, sample "carangueijo," a flavorful crab stew. Many seafood restaurants with outdoor seating line the beaches, allowing you to enjoy fresh catches while gazing at the ocean. Don't forget to try açaí, a popular Brazilian superfood often served as a refreshing smoothie bowl.
Experiencing Local Culture
Immerse yourself in Natal's culture by watching a capoeira performance. This Afro-Brazilian martial art combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music. You might encounter spontaneous displays on the beaches or in public squares. If you visit Natal in June, join the Festa de São João, a lively festival featuring traditional music, dance, and food. For unique souvenirs, browse the handicraft markets for locally made ceramics, textiles, and wooden sculptures.
Historical Sites in Natal
While Natal is primarily known for its natural environment, the city also has some interesting historical sites. The Forte dos Reis Magos, constructed in 1598, sits at the mouth of the Potengi River. You can explore the fort's rooms and climb to the top for sweeping views of the coastline. In Ribeira and Cidade Alta, Natal's oldest neighborhoods, you'll see colonial and Victorian buildings, some adorned with colorful murals reflecting the city's vibrant culture.
Getting Around Natal
Natal's international airport, about 20 kilometers from the city center, connects the city to major Brazilian destinations and some international routes. Within Natal, buses serve as the main form of public transportation. For trips to nearby beaches or dune areas, consider renting a buggy or joining an organized tour. Taxis and ride-sharing services are also widely available for convenient city travel.
Where to Stay in Natal
Most visitors choose to stay in the Ponta Negra area, which has a wide range of accommodation options from budget hostels to luxury resorts. For a more local atmosphere, look for accommodations in the Cidade Alta or Ribeira neighborhoods. Budget travelers might opt for Republika Hostel, which has affordable dorm beds and private rooms. For upscale options, check out the beachfront hotels along Via Costeira, a coastal road lined with resorts.
Day Trips from Natal
Natal serves as a good starting point for exploring the surrounding region. Take a day trip to Pipa, a beach town about 80 kilometers south of Natal known for its dolphin-watching opportunities and cliff-lined shores. Another popular excursion is to the Parrachos de Maracajaú, a series of coral reefs that form natural pools ideal for snorkeling. For an unusual experience, visit the world's largest cashew tree in Pirangi, which covers an area of 7,300 square meters.
![Português
Paraty é um município brasileiro do estado do Rio de Janeiro. Localizado no litoral sul do estado, distante 258 quilômetros da capital, a cidade do Rio de Janeiro.
Em 1667, teve sua emancipação política decretada após várias revoltas populares contra o centralismo que Angra dos Reis exercia sobre a cidade, em especial após a revolta liderada por Domingos Gonçalves de Abreu, tornando-se assim independente.
Junto ao oceano, entre dois rios, Paraty está a uma altitude média de apenas cinco metros. Hoje, é o centro de um município com 930,7 km² com uma população de 39 965 habitantes (densidade demográfica: 35,6 h/km²).
A cidade foi, durante o período colonial brasileiro (1530-1815), sede do mais importante porto exportador de ouro do Brasil.
Por estar localizada quase ao nível do mar, a cidade foi projetada levando em conta o fluxo das marés. Como resultado, muitas de suas ruas são periodicamente inundadas pela maré.
O longo processo de estagnação vivido por Paraty ao longo do século XX manteve, paradoxalmente, o casario colonial, conservado no conjunto conhecido como Centro Histórico, tornando a cidade um dos destinos turísticos mais procurados do país.
Pelas ruas de pedra irregular, circulam, a pé – a entrada de veículos é proibida na maior parte do Centro Histórico -, turistas do mundo inteiro, atraídos pela beleza da arquitetura típica do Brasil Colônia. As casas históricas foram requalificadas como pousadas, restaurantes, lojas de artesanato e museus, em meio a apresentações de músicos populares e de estátuas vivas.
No entanto, Paraty é muito mais que apenas uma pequena cidade histórica. Costeada por montanhas cobertas do denso verde da mata atlântica, a cidade é rodeada de Parques e Reservas Ecológicas, fazendo da região uma das mais preservadas do Brasil. Há mais de 60 ilhas e 90 praias em Paraty, boa parte delas acessível somente de barco ou trilhas. As praias de Trindade são uma atração à parte: em fevereiro de 2009, o governo federal delimitou a Praia do Meio, em Trindade, como parte integrante do Parque Nacional da Serra da Bocaina.
Outro aspecto de relevo no setor é a prática de esportes de aventura. Nas trilhas de Paraty pode-se caminhar por dias a fio. O roteiro mais tradicional entre os amantes da caminhada é a Travessia da Juatinga, que costeia toda a Península da Juatinga, em trilhas de servidão que datam do tempo dos escravos e passam por diversas comunidades caiçaras, responsáveis pela hospedagem e alimentação dos turistas. Dentre outras modalidades pode-se praticar a canoagem oceânica, a vela, o surf e o mergulho autônomo. As águas calmas, cristalinas e sempre tépidas da Baía da Ilha Grande são ideais para essa prática, atraindo grande número de praticantes. Várias operadoras de mergulho oferecem seus serviços na cidade e nas marinas, atendendo não apenas às escolas de mergulho, mas também a turistas interessados em conhecer a Parati subaquática. A canoagem também é idealmente praticada nas águas calmas da baia, destacando os roteiros de mais de um dia que exploram a Baia da Cajaíba e o Saco do Mamanguá. Já o surf é praticado na costa aberta ao mar, que se inicia na ponta da Juatinga e engloba as praias da Sumaca, Martin de Sá, Antigos, Sono e todas da Vila de Trindade.
A rede hoteleira é formada de pequenas pousadas, muitas delas situadas no Centro Histórico.
Fonte: Wikipedia
English:
Paraty (or Parati, Portuguese pronunciation: [pɐɾɐˈtʃi]) is a preserved Portuguese colonial (1500–1822) and Brazilian Imperial (1822–1889) municipality with a population of about 36,000. It is located on the Costa Verde (Green Coast), a lush, green corridor that runs along the coastline of the state of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil. Paraty has become a popular tourist destination in recent years, renowned for the historic town and the coast and mountains in the region.
The town is located on the Bay of Ilha Grande, which is dotted with many tropical islands. Rising up as high as 1,300 meters behind the town are tropical forests, mountains, and waterfalls. It is the southernmost and westernmost city in Rio de Janeiro state.
Paraty is surrounded by many parks and nature reserves, including Serra da Bocaina National Park, Serra do Mar State Park (of São Paulo), the Park Reserve of Joatinga and the Cairuçu Environmental Protection Area, where the village of Trindade is located. The municipality also includes an indigenous village and an Afro-Brazilian quilombo.
The village of Paraty was founded in 1597. It was established formally as a town by Portuguese colonizers in 1667, in a region populated by the Guaianás Indians.
The Guaianás people who lived where the city now stands called the entire area “Paraty”. In the Tupi language “Paraty” means “river of fish”. Even today the Brazilian Mullet (Mugil brasiliensis) still come back to spawn in the rivers that spill into the Bay of Paraty. When the region was colonized by the Portuguese, they adopted the Guaianás name for their new town.
After the discovery of the world's richest gold mines in 1696 in the mountains of Minas Gerais, Paraty became an export port for gold to Rio de Janeiro and from there on to Portugal. The ensuing gold rush led to the construction of the "Caminho do Ouro" or "Gold Trail", a 1200 kilometer road, paved in steep areas with large stones, which connected Paraty to Diamantina via Ouro Preto and Tiradentes. Not only was it used to transport gold to Paraty, but it was also used to convey supplies, miners and African slaves by mule train over the mountains to and from the gold mining areas. Two substantial sections of the Caminho do Ouro have been excavated near Paraty and are now a popular tourist destination for hiking.
The Gold Trail fell into disuse because of attacks on the gold laden ships bound for Rio de Janeiro by pirates who frequented the islands and coves of the Bay of Angra dos Reis. Eventually a safer overland route from Minas Gerais to Rio de Janeiro was created because of these pirate raids. Finally, the gold itself began to run out in the late 18th century, and Paraty declined.
The Gold Trail was submitted for inclusion on the World Heritage List in August 2004.
The city's economic activity revived as a port for a new boom, the coffee trade of the Paraiba do Sul River Valley in the early 19th century, until a railway along the valley created cheaper transport to the port of Rio de Janeiro. Another smaller revival came late in the 19th century with the production of cachaça, which is a sugarcane-derived spirit best known today as the basis for Brazil's most famous drink, the caipirinha. The name "Paraty" in that period became synonymous with cachaça. Since then, Paraty has been out of the mainstream, which is why it did not change for centuries, until a paved road was built from Rio de Janeiro to Santos, near São Paulo, in the 1970s. The city then began a new cycle of activity, which transformed a small, almost abandoned town living on very limited economic activity, mainly fishing and agriculture (bananas, manioc, sugarcane) into a tourism destination.
Source: Wikipedia | Paraty in Brazil](https://humbo.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/place-photo/6095b189004fe6a53c371d71/hqb2td41ut_thumb.jpeg)
