Sometimes referred to as the 'pearl of the east coast of Ceará', Canoa Quebrada (which means 'broken canoe' in Portuguese) is a resort town exquisitely placed among pink dunes, red cliffs and a winding river southeast of Fortaleza in Brazil's northeast coast. When you're not enjoying a number of outdoor activities, including wind- and kitesurfing, sandboarding, mountain biking, sailing or dune buggy rides, take a wander down the main street, 'Broadway', where you'll find accommodation, eateries and shops.
Ponta do Mel is in the municipality of Areia Branca, about 330 kilometers from Natal. The small village is on the banks of the homonymous beach, which has calm, clean sea and warm waters. The dunes and cliffs - typical landscapes of this region of the Northeast - are present on the shore, but unlike most beaches in the region, they blend with an arid landscape. This region, by the way, is known as "Costa Blanca", due to the large number of dunes. The green is the cactus.
The quiet fishing village of Galinhos lies in the Rio Grande do Norte Province, 160 kilometres northwest of Natal, between the river and the sea. Surrounded by small, colourful villages, the town boasts some magnificent nature in the form of bright blue waters, fantastic white beaches, natural lagoons, stunning dunes and abundant flora and fauna. Food is a big focus here, with many tours serving fresh seafood on deserted islands as part of the trip, and the lagoons and dunes make this spot ideal for parachuting, kitesurfing and buggy rides.
When the opportunity to stay well away from the hassles of everyday life is at stake, São Miguel do Gostoso rises in the ranking of best options. That's because vacations are taken seriously: romance, rest and tranquility.
This is the place of the coast of Rio Grande do Norte that, in recent years, more has fallen in the taste of those who prefer to explore what does not usually appear in the itineraries of traditional tourists. Not surprisingly, the more visibility of São Miguel do Gostoso, the more dynamic the hotel and gastronomic structure of the region becomes.
Those in search of a quieter corner of Brazil will find it in Natal. Situated on the Atlantic coast, Natal boasts beautiful white sandy beaches met by crystal clear waters, including the famous Genipabu where visitors can take buggy or dromedary rides over ever shifting sand dunes. History buffs will enjoy the Natal Historic Centre, which comprises 150 colonial and architectural landmarks, and Fortos dos Reis Magos - a star-shaped fortress dating back over 400 years and offering stunning views of the city. Natal is also home to “Carnatal”, a four day off-season carnival that is tamer version of the famous Rio Carnival.
Once a simple fishing village, Pipa has grown over the years to become one of Brazil’s most popular beach towns, famous for its incredible natural beauty. Located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Pipa was discovered by surfers in the 1970s and is home to serene beaches, lagoons, natural pools, stunning cliffs and pockets of preserved Atlantic forest. Although small, the town is remarkably vibrant, with a number of bars, trendy restaurants, art galleries and cafés that offer the chance for wining, dining and socialising.
