Fortaleza to Natal Road Trip

On this 8-day guided beach road trip you with travel from Fortaleza to Natal, discovering the north-eastern beaches of Brazil in the states of Ceara and Rio Grande do Norte. This trip can also be partially done in a quad bike (buggy), with a professional local guide, who knows the roads. Visit Canoa Quebrada, Ponta do Mel, Galinhos, São Miguel do Gostoso, Pititinga, Maracajau and more. Red and orange beach cliffs, long deserted beaches, crystalline natural pools formed at low tide, sleeping fishermen villages at the end of the world, large sand dunes – this trip is perfect for those who like off the beaten track destinations, with an authentic local flavour and lots of authenticity. Practice water sports, go snorkelling near wonderful coral reefs at low tide, try succulent seafood, watch beautiful sunsets and spend a week relaxing on different castaway beaches. The itinerary is balanced, giving you time to get a good feeling of each place. The itinerary can be adapted and changed, if needed, to suit your plans, by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities. You can start either in Fortaleza or in Natal. There is a mix of high-end and rustic hotels on the itinerary. This trip is a great option for all adventure seekers, kitesurfers, nature lovers and travellers who are looking for beautiful non-touristy destinations.

08 Days – From £3,900 per person

*equivalent in USD, EUR accepted

Itinerary: Fortaleza, Canoa Quebrada, Ponta do Mel, Galinhos, São Miguel do Gostoso, Pititinga, Maracajau, Natal

Included

Price is per person, based on two people sharing in a double/twin room
Accommodation with breakfast (more hotels HERE)
Lunch at Tao Paradise
All the excursions mentioned in the itinerary
Boat trips & Snorkelling equipment
All transfers by car on a private basis
Entrance & guiding fees to all the mentioned National Parks
All mandatory local taxes

Excluded

Visa, where applicable
International Flights (See Flights to Brazil)
Domestic Flights
Personal Expenses
Insurance
Tips & Gratuities
Meals not mentioned in the description.

Flights

International flights are not included in the package price. We give you the freedom to book the flights yourself, use miles and choose your preferred airline, and if you are stuck we can help you find the right connections. Return flights to Brazil start from £800 per person, depending on the connections and time of the year. Fly to Fortaleza (FOR) or to Natal (NAT).

For families and groups (starting with 5 pax), we can book domestic flights in Brazil, during the high season, and if the trip is part of a more complex itinerary. This is to ensure a seamless travel and no complications.

How to Book

Send us an email to check availability, discuss your preferences and get a quote.

This is a sample itinerary and prices are correct at the time of writing. We can tailor it to suit your plans by changing the length of the trip or the order of activities. More days can be added. Other hotels can be chosen, according to your liking. You can also combine this trip with other sights in Brazil, like the cosmopolitan Rio de Janeiro, the exciting Amazon rainforest, the fascinating Pantanal or the deep canyons of the south. For more travel inspiration check these itineraries.

When to Visit

Best time to visit: year round. It is best to avoid February and the weekends when the beaches are very crowded.

November to March are the warmest with less rain
April to May it is still warm, excellent period
June and July in general are the months with most rain, the sea water can become slightly colder and not as clear as usual.
August is the windy month, but it is still beautiful.
October a pleasant climate and without many tourists.

To avoid unpleasant weather surprises, we recommend to check our Brazil Weather Guide to plan your trip in the right season. Click on the month you want to travel in and see the tours which are best for each month of the year.

Day 1 - Fortim & Canoa Quebrada

Today you will arrive in Fortaleza. You will be picked up and transferred to Canoa Quebrada along the wonderful beaches of Ceará. The first stop will be in Aquiraz to visit Porto das Dunas with clear blue waters and soft sand. Then continue to Beberibe for the monumental red and orange cliffs of Morro Branco and Praia das Fontes. Pass by the peaceful long beach of Praia do Diogo and visit a few charming fishermen villages such as Sucatinga and Lagoa do Uruaú. In Fortim have lunch in an authentic fishermen village of Pontal do Maceio, then continue to the historic town of Aracati, with colonial mansions and churches. Finish the day by watching the sunset on the dunes of Canoa Quebrada. Overnight at Long Beach.

Day 2 - Canoa Quebrada to Ponta do Mel

Early in the morning, depending on the tide, depart from Canoa Quebrada, going through the beautiful beaches of Ponta Grossa, Redonda and Icapuí, along multicolored cliffs, contrasting with the blue sea. Visit the majestic salt mines of Grossos and Areia Branca, then continue to Alagamar Desert with beautiful dunes and sand cliffs. Cross Mossoró River in a small ferryboat (20 min) towards the bucolic village of Ponta do Mel, in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, located over a cliff, with an exuberant ocean view. This region is where the dry sertao meets the grandiose blue ocean. Stop at the dunes of Porto do Mangue beach. Spend the afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Pousada Mare.

Day 3 - Ponta do Mel to Galinhos

Today continue to the charming fishing village of Galinhos, a castaway forgotten place, located on a secluded peninsula, surrounded by coconut trees, dunes and mangroves. The village has a calm and delicate beach, with clean and warm waters. Here it feels like time has stopped and there are no worries. Take a boat tour around the peninsula, go out for fishing or rent a four-wheeler to discover the sand dunes. During the evening enjoy the amazing sunset at the cute lighthouse. This is a perfect place to unwind and do nothing or try yourself at mastering the waves with a kite. Overnight at Pousada Peixe Galo.

Day 4 - São Miguel do Gostoso

Today leave to the beautiful beach town of Sao Miguel do Gostoso (4 hours). You will go through dozens of deserted beaches and large creeks, stopping on beautiful beaches such as Caiçara do Norte and Exu Queimado. Once arrived in Sao Miguel do Gostoso, spend the afternoon at leisure, discovering this wonderful sleeping village, located at the end of the world. Visit some of the pristine beaches. Here, nature is rich. The warm waters, the lagoons, the cliffs and the sand dunes create an absolutely fantastic landscape as if in a little paradise. Sao Miguel do Gostoso is an ideal place for water sports such as kitesurfing or windsurfing. Overnight at Portofino Pousada.

Day 5 - Pititinga

In the morning, depending on the tide, depart to Natal. On the way, stop at Ponta do Calcanhar to visit the largest lighthouse of Latin America. Continue to Pititinga, a tiny fishing village which is part of Costa dos Corais protection area. A few miles off the coast there is a very beautiful coral reef with corals, transparent water and great marine life. Stop at Perobas and take a small boat towards the coral reefs (only at low tide). After 40 min of navigation, water suddenly becomes shallow and crystalline. Get off the boat and walk on the sand among the coral reefs. Put on your mask and snorkel at this the wonderful site in full privacy. Overnight at Siri Paraiso Hotel.

Day 6 - Maracajau & Tao Paradise

Today discover the natural pools of Maracajaú, 40 min south. Board a catamaran to the reefs located 7 km from the coast. Arrive at the floating platforms anchored over exuberant coral reefs with abundant marine life. Snorkel and enjoy the site. On your return, have lunch at Tao Paradise, a tropical garden with crystalline springs. Take a revitalizing bath and walk along beautiful paths. Continue to Praia de Caraúbas with its huge coconut trees. Stop at blue lagoons, deserted beaches, cliffs and fishermen villages. Visit Cape São Roque, the closest point to Africa in South America. At Redinha Beach cross Pirangi river by ferryboat, making your way to Natal. Overnight at Vila do Mar.

Day 7 - Natal

In the morning, take a buggy tour to discover the highlights of the city. Natal is surrounded by beautiful picturesque stretches of sand. Cross the river and visit Genipabu with its towering dunes and a freshwater lagoon. Discover the lagoons of Pitangui and Jacumã and then continue to the star-shaped Forte dos Reis Magos, a 16th-century Portuguese fortress. After lunch, visit one of the largest urban parks in Brazil, Parque das Dunas. Its picturesque mix of lush rainforest and tall, golden sand dunes creates a unique landscape. End the day with a sundowner at Ponta Negra. The beach is home to Morro do Careca, a beautiful 120-metre-high dune. Overnight at Vila do Mar.

Day 8 - Departure

Today is your departure day. After breakfast, the transfer to the airport will be organised according to your flight. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the relaxing moments. If your flight is in the evening, time permitting you can take a excursion to the south of Natal and visit the quaint beach town of Pipa. Alternatively, extend your stay and continue your beach discovery down south, along the North-Eastern coast of Brazil, from Pipa to Baia da Traicao, to Joao Pessoa and then all the way down to Olinda and Recife. The Natal to Recife road trip has more details about places to visit. Boa Viajem!

More Holiday Inspiration

In Brazil Other Destinations