Rio Grande do Norte combines coastal landscapes with geological formations and archaeological and architectural landmarks. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth choosing a clear focus: Pipa and the dunes are associated with beaches and landscapes, while rock art, caves and historic buildings offer other things to discover. These places show how varied a stay in the state can be, depending on what you want to explore.

Beaches and dunes

Striking cliffs, clear-water beaches and golden dunes shape the landscape of Rio Grande do Norte. Pipa has eleven beaches. Praia do Amor is a traditional surf beach in the area; at Praia do Centro, natural pools form at low tide. If these pools are important to your plans, take the tides into account. The two beaches offer distinct coastal experiences and should not be treated as interchangeable.

Further afield in the region, buggy rides through the dunes are offered in Genipabu. When planning your stay around particular themes, you can distinguish between beach destinations, natural formations and an excursion through the dunes.

Volcano, limestone and rock art

Pico do Cabugi, in the Angicos area, is an extinct volcano that rises to 590 metres. It is used for hiking as part of ecotourism and geotourism. Lajedo de Soledade in Apodi has a very different geological form: limestone shaped by erosion forms canyons, caves and crevices containing rock paintings. Lajedo is considered the most important archaeological site in Rio Grande do Norte and has established visitor facilities. Geological formations and archaeological evidence come together at this site.

There are also many rock art sites in the interior of Rio Grande do Norte. This makes the rock paintings at Lajedo part of a broader regional cultural heritage, while the distinctive limestone formation also defines the site geologically. Visitors interested in archaeology will find a different focus here than at the beaches or Pico do Cabugi.

Cave route and visitor rules

The regional Rota das CaveRNas brings together speleological and archaeological heritage. It includes four caves and one archaeological site that are legally approved for tourist use. The route thus focuses on both cave landscapes and archaeological sites.

Casa de Pedra is located in the Cavernas de Martins State Natural Monument. Provisional visitor rules have been established for visits, with the involvement of local guides. Plan your visit in accordance with these rules; they are among the conditions for visiting this site.

Historic and religious buildings

The Marco Quinhentista de Touros dates from 1501 and is considered the first marker of Portuguese possession erected in Brazil. The monument was moved to Natal and has been housed at Fortaleza dos Reis Magos, under the protection of IPHAN, since 1976. For this monument, Touros as its point of origin and its current location in Natal should be distinguished. Fortaleza dos Reis Magos in Natal is also a cultural heritage site protected by IPHAN.

Further architectural points of interest can be found in Canguaretama and Acari. The Capela de Nossa Senhora das Candeias at Engenho de Cunhaú in Canguaretama is a rare example of Baroque architecture in Rio Grande do Norte. The Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário in Acari is among the state's listed cultural heritage sites. Together with the rock art sites, this selection offers different ways to explore cultural heritage, from historic architecture to archaeological traces.

Trip-planning highlights

Food services are also part of community-based tourism in Furna Feia National Park.

Discover more destinations:

Pipa, Natal, Vila Flor, Baía Formosa, Jacumã, Santo Antônio, Mossoró, Tibau Do Sul, São Miguel Do Gostoso, Portalegre, Galinhos, Apodi, Arábia, Tibau, São José De Mipibu, Nísia Floresta, São Bento Do Norte, Parnamirim, Serra De São Bento, Baixa De São Francisco, Touros, Maracajaú, Guamaré, Cerro Corá, Macaíba, Areia Branca, São Tomé, Caicó, Currais Novos, Caraúbas, Açu, Pau Dos Ferros, Florânia, Montanhas, Pium De Cima, Maxaranguape, Diogo Lopes, Extremoz, Rio Do Fogo, Caiçara Do Rio Do Vento, Monte das Gameleiras, Macau, São Miguel, Nova Cruz, Pedra Grande, Felipe Guerra, São Gonçalo do Amarante, Ceará-Mirim, Zumbi, Pirangi do Sul, Nísia Floresta, Baía Formosa, Angicos, Arês, São Bento do Trairi, Lagoa Nova

For the broader travel overview: Brazil.