Natal Information
Jan 22nd, 2009 by Rio Grande Do Norte
Natal: city of the sun
Natal is known as the city of the sun because of the sun shining all the year round. Its coast stretches through 20 km, and the city itself seems to be placed inside of a natural triangle with the northern part surrounded by the Potengi river and the Atlantic Ocean. Winds blow constantly over the region and according to the research done by NASA, Natal has the purest air on the continent. It is a coastal city and the capital of the Rio Grande do Norte State, located in the North-East of Brazil.
Its name means Christmas in English because it was founded exactly on the Catholic Christmas Day, mainly on 12/25/1599. Natal is also sometimes called Brazilian Space Capital after the first South American Rocket Base “Hell Barrier”.
Natal is famous for its gorgeous beaches, turquoise waters, dunes and extraordinarily beautiful weather. Beaches are the main attractions here, rides by beach buggies-the main entertainment. And of course, diverse night life! The main urban beach, Ponta Negra, is nearly 3 km long and full of hotels, inns, restaurants, food and bric-a-brac stands, sailboats. The place gets really crowded at week-ends.The beaches of Genipabu and Buzios are situated in the outskirts of the city and are usually included in the tour plans.
A day tour across sand dunes on Genipabu is a not-to-be-missed experience. Those who are scared of driving at high speed, may ask for a “lighter” race or a race without emotions as the natives will call it. One can also have a cold shower and take a camel promenade in the park of Genipabu. Take a walk along the beaches Muriú and de Maracajaú. There you may try yourself in a kind of radical sport called “Aerobunda”. It is a type of a ropeway taking you fast downhill and ending in the water. The beaches “Praia do Amor” and “Praia de Pipa” are also worth visiting.
Natal has a well-organized tourism, commerce and bank infrastructures, good public transport system. It is also famous for its hospitality and beautiful weather. The sun is shining during a good part of the year, so when coming to Natal be ready to have a sun protector, cap and summer clothes with you. Flavor fresh local produce and seafood; and do not forget a camera to frame the unforgettable moments you had in Natal. Enjoy your stay!
Phone – post office – internet
To call from Brazil to your country, first dial 0 021 + country code + area code + phone number.
You can buy phone cards at the “bancas”, kiosks or little supermarkets and use them at the public phones (blue booths on the street). You can also call in the Internet Shops or from your hotel room.
To buy stamps you must have to go to the post office – “Correios” (in Portuguese), which is situated in “Praia Shopping” on the right side of the main street Av. Roberto Freire.
In Natal there are few places for internet: for example, in the boulevard of Ponta Negra (Sunset Hall), Praia Shopping and Natal Shopping.
Drinking water
Water from the tap is not drinkable, but there are many supermarkets where you can buy bottles of water. The prices are between R$0,50 and R$1,50. All hotel rooms provide minibars. Ice cubs in Brazil are suitable.
Hospital and doctor
A good hospital in Natal is “Hospital do Coração”, Rua Coronel Auris Coelho, 235 – Lagoa Nova. It´s located around 8 km from Ponta Negra.
You also can call Dr. Americo – he speaks English and French. An appointment custs around R$100 during the day and in the evenings or weekends it custs around R$150,00. His wife, Dr. Rosa it´s a dentist and you can reach them by their mobile, number: +55 (84) 9985-7300.
Taxi
Take a taxi in Brazil is very cheap and safe. For a short drive from Ponta Negra to Natal Shopping (around 10 km) you will pay around R$15,00. In the evening and on Sundays the prices are a little bit higher and also in the high season but you can always try to bargain the price.
Bus
Every knowing place in Brazil you can reach by bus. For popular routes there are VIP buses with air conditioner. Most of these buses run at night and offer a good service. The local bus has it´s charm but it´s not comfortable for long distances. The bus station in Natal (“Rodoviária”) it´s situated in the center of the city and from there you can take buses to travel to most all places in Brazil. The tickets you also can buy in our agency.
Exchange – money
The currency in Brazil is the Real.
Take money with your credit card is expensive – you will pay around 15 Euro and 1,5% commision.
Banks are open from Monday to Friday, from 10:00 to 04 p.m.
For international cards you can use the ATM machine in Praia Shopping and Natal Shopping (from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and also in the boulevard of Ponta Negra.
General information
Inhabitants = around 800.000
State = Rio Grande do Norte
Capital = Natal
Central place of tourism = Ponta Negra
Time difference with Europe = winter : 4 hours; summer : 5 hours
Average temperature = 27° C
Average temperature of the sea water = 26 ° C
More than 3.000 hours of sun per year
Raining season = April to July
Electricity = 220 V
Currency = Reais
Shopping in Natal
Praia Shopping (in Ponta Negra) – Natal Shopping – Via Direta – Seaway Shopping – Orla Sul – Midway Mall (newest and biggest in Natal).
Tips
The salary in Brazil is very low, so tips are always welcome.
For example, for the person that helps you with the luggage and room service, a tip of R$2,00. If you feel satisfied with your guide or driver, after a day trip you can tip them with R$5,00 to R$10,00 per person. To the airport driver you can tip R$2,00 or R$3,00. Some restaurants includes the tip of 10%.