Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte
Dunes, colorful cliffs and long windswept beaches on Brazil’s northeast coast.
Destinations
Fortaleza, Natal, Ponta do Mel
Recommended stay
3 to 6 nights
Best time to go
August to January
Airports
Fortaleza or Natal
The Northeast of the dunes
Between Fortaleza and Natal, the coast alternates between shifting dunes, cliffs of colored sand and fishing villages. The steady wind also makes it a renowned kitesurfing destination.
Fortaleza is the gateway to Jericoacoara, while Natal gives access to the Genipabu dunes and the beaches of Rio Grande do Norte.
Where and when to go
Map
When to go
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Months
Ceará
Fortaleza and the coast toward Jericoacoara.
Fortaleza
A big seaside city, with its urban beaches, its handicrafts and its seafood. The starting point for Jericoacoara and Cumbuco.
Ideal for: arrival stop, families
Access: international airport in the city
Rio Grande do Norte
Natal, its dunes and a still-unspoiled coastline.
Natal
The Genipabu dunes by dune buggy, Ponta Negra beach and, farther south, the cliffs of Pipa.
Ideal for: families, friends
Access: international airport in the city
Ponta do Mel
Where the dunes meet the sea: cliffs, a lighthouse and wide, almost deserted beaches.
Ideal for: peace and quiet, getting off the beaten path
Access: by road, from Natal or Mossoró
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