The capital city of Rio Grande do Norte State

Soon after the Reis Magos Fort had been completed, small towns began to form around it. According to some historians, the city was called Cidade dos Reis, and eventually, it became Natal. There are two possible stories about how it came to be called Natal (Christmas in English!): it either refers to the date that the squad arrived at the Barra do Potengi coast or the date the boundaries of the site were made by Jerônimo de Albuquerque, on 25 December 1599.

Natal gained national and international fame during the Second World War, and the presence of North American soldiers left a mark on the local culture. For instance, it brought about habits like chewing gum and drinking Coca-Cola.

Natal’s port became important after the war due to the growing importance of trading goods, but, nowadays, tourism is the main source of Natal’s economy.

Since the city’s urbanisation took place fairly recently, its growth was well planned, and the city has not grown too much.

In Natal, the sun shines practically all year round; the rainy season is concentrated between April and June. The heat is made more bearable by cool winds, and the temperature is around 20 °C to 33 °C. It has great support for tourism, including hotels, restaurants, and travel agents.

Beaches

Beaches are the most sought-after scenery in Natal. Whether you head for the North or South coast, you are guaranteed a great time:

For thrill-seekers, try racing over sand dunes, especially set aside for this purpose!

You can explore natural pools in Maracajaú, a barrier reef 7 kilometres from the beach with warm, crystalline water which is ideal for diving among colourful fishes.

You can relax and have fun at Ponta Negra, the liveliest beach in the city. It is ideal for bathing, as well as having good hotels, restaurants and nightlife.

Airport

Natal’s airport is based in Parnamirim, 18 kilometres from the centre of the Capital. It is called Aeroporto Internacional Augusto Severo.

Distance from other cities:

Recife: 286 kilometres; João Pessoa: 181 kilometres; Fortaleza: 523 kilometres; Brasília: 2,436 kilometres; Rio de Janeiro: 2,585 kilometres; São Paulo: 2,896 kilometres.