I always wanted to travel to Brazil and when I finally managed to take some time out from my hectic schedule to travel, I chose to explore the city that would be hosting few of the matches in Fifa 2014 football world cup. Everyone knows the love of football that Brazil has. So it is obvious that in few months the whole country and especially the cities hosting the world cup matches would bring with it festive atmosphere. I am sure that as I travelled before the world cup, I saved some bucks but then visiting it during the football fever that grips the world during the world cup is always worth spending few extra bucks .
As a local Brazilian told me , Natal is known as the city of sun and sand. The waters are crystal blue in the sea. Amazing is an adjective used too casually but places like Natal deserve to be called amazing. Who doesn't know the multifaceted folklorist Luis da Camara Cascudo? Yes, he was from Natal only ! People are generous and eager to help and they welcome everyone with open arms. The hospitality makes all the difference. I'm sure that there is much more to see , explore and to do than what I did in 10 days during my stay in the city but in my opinion if you enjoy your stay , you should enjoy it fully.
I hired a local guide for few days and then explored the city and beaches on my own. As usual, the guide took me to the most sought after spots like Forte dos Reis Magos,Ponte Newton Navarro,Parque das Dunas,Teatro Alberto Maranhão - Praça Augusto Severo etc. and told me tales such as the history behind the construction of the Three Wise Men fort ( Forte dos Reis Magos ) . But I was surprised to hear that the place is not as safe as it used to be in the past. Increasing cases of robberies are coming to light. Thankfully, I didn't face any such scenario.
The short stay of 10 days included many moments and memories that I would cherish for a long time. Some of the places that I was recommended but did not visit include Baía Formosa, at the border with Paraíba, Extremoz and Nísia Floresta. Baia Formosa is the most unspoiled and preserved paradise of Rio Grande do Norte's South Coast while Extremoz is a good place for trekking,Dromedary rides, and for playing nautical sports in the lake. Nisia Floresta on the other hand contains 22 transparent lakes and beaches, Praia de Búzios being the most popular. The rest of the places are there for you to see in the pictures above and the itinerary below.
This is the oldest and most important historical fortress of Natal. It is more than 400 years old.It was initially made to protect Natal coast from the French pirates. It is located in the water, accessible using a pedestrian path from Praia do Forte. It is named after the biblical 'Three Wise Men'. The entry fee is nominal.
It is the second largest urban park in Brazil. It is closed on Monday and open on all the other days of the week. Home to several vegetable and animal species, it preserves the legacy of the Atlantic Forest.
The memorial was built in 1875. It is a fine example of neoclassic style of architecture. It is about the life and work of Luis da Câmara Cascudo who was Rio Grande do Norte's most famous anthropologist and folklorist.
It is a hotspot for tourists and rich local people. The water quality of the beach is excellent and there are plenty of restaurants and utility shops in the front of the beach. Morro do Careca, the tallest sand dune of Natal can be found here , one of the city's most famous landmarks.
It is nearby Praia do Meio where Forte dos Reis Magos is located. Ponte de Todos can be viewed from here. The beachis bereft of infrastructure. It is solitary beach with little crowds.
It is a huge mall with plenty of shops , over 250 , to choose things from. There are , 7 cinema rooms, 4 gourmet restaurants and one theatre inside the mall. Plenty of ATM's too for the convenience of the shoppers.
