Where to stay in Natal – A guide to the City of the Sun
Natal has a tropical climate and beaches that make the city an interesting tourist destination.
The City of the Sun, as it is popularly known, is the capital of the Rio Grande do Norte, located northeast of Brazil, and owns a dazzling coastline.
Activities in the city for tourists are very diverse. For example, an ecological walk through the Parque das Dunas or a bicycle ride along the Newton Navarro Bridge.
For shopping lovers, the Midway Mall is an excellent option, with 200 different stores, 7 movie theaters and restaurants offering international dishes.
The nightlife in Natal is very lively, with bars, shows, and clubs.
Reaching this corner of Brazil is possible through the modern Augusto Severo International Airport, located 20 km from the City Center.
You can also use a bus, as there are daily services to Natal from the main cities in Brazil that arrive at Estação Rodoviária.
As for internal transport, Natal has taxis or buses, a railway station, and rental cars.
Among the best areas to stay in Natal, Ponta Negra Beach is a good option for travelers looking for fun. See accommodation in Ponta Negra.
Here’s a guide with the best areas to stay in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte
The best areas to stay in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte
1. Our favorite area: Ponta Negra
Ponta Negra is a beach and a famous neighborhood of Natal, located 14 km from the City Center.
This area is the main leisure option for tourists, both during the day and at night.
Ponta Negra Beach is home to the emblematic Morro de Careca, an icon of the region that deserves a visit and is worthy of photographs.
Other benefits that this beach offers its visitors are its great waves, ideal for surfing and windsurfing.
Ponta Negra Beach offers its visitors hotels of all kinds, including hostels and guest houses, food stalls, restaurants, and shops.
This is also one of the best areas to stay in Natal for nightlife.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Natal, Brazil:
- Near the beach
- Best area for nightlife
- All types of accommodation
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Divi-Divi Praia Hotel
Divi-Divi is surrounded by lush flower gardens, just 200 meters from the popular Ponta Negra beach in Natal. It offers 2 outdoor swimming pools with waterfall and spacious rooms with air conditioning and balcony.
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Budget
Hostel e Pousada Terra de Minas
Pousada Terra de Minas is located opposite Sesc Ponta Negra Club and offers air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi in public areas. There is 24 hour reception.
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Luxury
Manary Praia Hotel
Manary Praia Hotel is located on the beautiful sandy beach of Ponta Negra and offers spacious and quiet rooms with balconies and hammocks. The building has a neocolonial style architecture and has several leisure options, such as swimming pools for adults and children.
2. Via Costeira
Via Costeira is one of Natal’s most important avenues and has a length of almost 6 miles.
The interesting thing about this coastal road is its panoramic view towards the sea and the sandbars occupied by luxury 4 and 5-star hotels, as well as some restaurants.
This calm water beach is ideal for families traveling with children, as well as for the practice of sand surfing and Ground Launching.
Via Costeira is also a great place for those who prefer to spend some time relaxing, walking through its white sands.
Here, you will find Parque das Dunas, a recommended place for nature lovers and, in the middle of its wooded landscape, is the Dos Namorados Forest.
Getting around the attractions of Via Costeira is no problem since there are taxis, cars for rent and buses.
Via Costeira is one of the best areas to stay in Natal if you are looking for tranquility. In addition, it has high-end hotels, apartments, and resorts.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Natal, BR:
- Near the beach
- Peaceful area
- Good public transport connections
3. Natal City Center
Natal City Center is known for its narrow streets, typical of the Portuguese colonial era.
The City Center is also home to financial institutions, the city’s largest store chains, and government institutions.
Here are the oldest neighborhoods in the city such as Alta, Riveira, Tyrol and Petròpolis.
In these neighborhoods, there are monuments such as the Alberto Maranhäo Theater, one of Natal’s most beautiful buildings, where you can enjoy plays, concerts, operas and dance shows.
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Natal, the urban art gallery and the Beco da Lama (Lama Alley) are benchmarks of art, aesthetics and cultural manifestation of the area.
At night, in the City Center, there are traditional music shows, Forrò dance and the party atmosphere is lived in its main bars and clubs.
The City Center is among the best areas to stay in Natal for its varied and cheaper accommodation, as well as for its transport connections.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Natal, Brazil:
- Heart of the city
- Cheap hotels
- Near the attractions
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