Things to do in Natal, Brazil: Genipabu dunes, buggy rides and beaches

The top pick among things to do in Natal Brazil is a dune buggy ride: the Genipabu dunes buggy adventure starts at €42 with hotel pickup and holds a 4.9/5 rating from 48 reviews, the best-rated activity in the area. Next come the day trip to Pipa beach (from €15, 4.6/5 from 29 reviews), the south coast and Arituba lagoon tour (from €15, 4.8/5) and snorkeling at the Maracajaú reefs (from €87).

Our Natal & Pipa activities page lists 40 options, from €15 with a median price of €44.50 per person. Natal is a base rather than a sightseeing city: the highlights are day trips north to the dunes or south to the cliffs and coves around Pipa. Here is what is worth booking and how to plan it.

Prices, ratings and review counts updated on November 9, 2026 from the GetYourGuide catalogue. Tours Brasil is a GetYourGuide affiliate: booking through our links costs you the same and we earn a small commission.

Best things to do in Natal

Ranked by verified reviews and rating. Where the price is per group (private buggy or vehicle) we say so.

1. Genipabu dunes by buggy — from €42, 7 hours, pickup included, 4.9/5 from 48 reviews. Shifting dunes, optional thrill descents and freshwater lagoon stops.
2. Pipa beach day trip — from €15, 7 hours with pickup, 4.6/5 from 29 reviews. Red cliffs, surf beaches and the liveliest beach village in the state.
3. Pipa, Cacimbinhas and Love Beach — from €31, 8 hours, pickup and Spanish-speaking guide, 4.1/5. More time at Pipa’s viewpoints and coves.
4. South coast and Arituba lagoon — from €15, 7 hours with pickup, 4.8/5. Beaches, a warm lagoon and coastal lookouts.
5. North coast private buggy tour — from €148 per group, 4.5–8.5 hours, 5/5. Your own buggy and your own pace.
6. Maracajaú reef snorkeling — from €87, 8 hours with pickup, 3.7/5 from 8 reviews. Offshore coral pools; conditions depend on tide and sea.
7. Natal city history tour — from €29, 7 hours with pickup, 4.4/5. Old town, Forte dos Reis Magos and city viewpoints.
8. Barra do Cunhaú — from €61, 8 hours with pickup, 4.6/5. A quiet south-coast beach away from the crowds.
9. Dolphin boat trip in Pipa — from €19. A speedboat outing along Pipa’s coast to spot dolphins and swim; new, no reviews yet.
10. Galinhos — from €37, 7 hours with pickup, 5/5. A fishing village between dunes and salt flats.

Quick comparison: price, rating and pickup

The eight most useful trips from Natal side by side. Nearly all include hotel pickup.

Activity	From	Rating	Reviews	Duration	Spanish guide	Pickup
Genipabu dunes by buggy	€42	4.9/5	48	7 h	No	Yes
Pipa beach day trip	€15	4.6/5	29	7 h	No	Yes
Pipa, Cacimbinhas and Love Beach	€31	4.1/5	18	8 h	Yes	Yes
South coast and Arituba lagoon	€15	4.8/5	5	7 h	No	Yes
Maracajaú reef snorkeling	€87	3.7/5	8	8 h	Yes	Yes
Natal city history tour	€29	4.4/5	4	7 h	Yes	Yes
Galinhos day trip	€37	5/5	2	7 h	No	Yes
Native trail 4×4 tour	€78	5/5	3	8 h	Yes	Yes

Which one should you choose?

Two days in Natal

One day on the Genipabu dunes and one in Pipa. Together they cost under €60 per person on the budget options.

Four or five days

Add the south coast and Arituba lagoon, a Maracajaú snorkel day if the sea cooperates, and a longer trip to Galinhos, São Miguel do Gostoso (from €20) or João Pessoa (from €24, 10 hours).

Groups and families

Private buggies are priced per vehicle, so three or four people pay far less each and choose the stops. With kids, Pipa and Arituba lagoon are the gentlest options.

City and history

The city history tour covers the old town and Forte dos Reis Magos with pickup. For a free afternoon, Ponta Negra beach and the Morro do Careca dune are right in town.

3-day Natal itinerary

Day 1: the Genipabu dunes buggy tour (€42, 7 hours, pickup), back in time for sunset at Ponta Negra. Activities: €42.

Day 2: the Pipa day trip (€15), or the longer Pipa, Cacimbinhas and Love Beach day (€31). Activities: €15–31.

Day 3: the relaxed south coast and Arituba lagoon tour (€15, 4.8/5), or Maracajaú snorkeling (€87) if the sea is calm at low tide. Activities: €15–87.

That adds up to €72–160 per person in activities over three full days.

How much do Natal tours cost?

• Shared day trips (Pipa, south coast, Gostoso, João Pessoa): €15–31.
• Shared Genipabu buggy tour: from €42.
• Longer beach trips (Galinhos, Barra do Cunhaú): €37–61.
• Maracajaú snorkeling: from €87.
• Private north coast buggy: from €148 per group.

The median activity in Natal costs €44.50. Prices are indicative and refreshed daily; the final price shows when you pick a date.

Plan your trip

Getting there: Natal’s international airport is in São Gonçalo do Amarante, outside the city; allow 40 minutes to an hour by car to Ponta Negra. Getting around: almost every tour includes hotel pickup, so you do not need a car; use taxis or ride-hailing apps otherwise. When to go: rain is concentrated roughly from March to July; September to February is drier and best for buggies and the sea.

Where to stay: Ponta Negra for the widest choice of hotels and tour pickups, Via Costeira for beachfront resorts, Pipa for a village vibe, surf and nightlife.

Practical tips

• Most tours pick up from hotels in Ponta Negra and along Via Costeira; check if you stay elsewhere.
• On the Genipabu buggy you will be asked if you want it “com emoção” (with thrills). Say no if you get motion sick or travel with kids.
• Maracajaú snorkeling needs low tide; read the cancellation terms in case the sea is rough.
• There is no shade on the dunes: bring sunscreen, sunglasses and water.

FAQ

What is Natal best known for?

Its dunes. The Genipabu buggy ride is the top-rated activity (4.9/5 from 48 reviews) and starts at €42 with pickup.

Can you visit Pipa as a day trip from Natal?

Yes. The Pipa day trip starts at €15, lasts about 7 hours and includes hotel pickup.

How many days do you need in Natal?

Two days cover Genipabu and Pipa. Four or five let you add the south coast, Maracajaú and a trip to Galinhos.

Are there Spanish-speaking guides?

Yes. The city history tour, the Pipa, Cacimbinhas and Love Beach day, Maracajaú snorkeling and the north coast buggy tour all offer a Spanish-speaking guide. Most other tours run in Portuguese, with drivers used to foreign visitors.

Is the Genipabu buggy ride safe for kids?

Yes, if you ask for the gentle version without the steep thrill descents. Drivers adapt the route, and the lagoon stops are calm enough for children.

Natal or Pipa as a base?

Stay in Natal if you want easy access to every day trip, since almost all tours include pickup from Ponta Negra and Via Costeira. Choose Pipa for nightlife, surf and a village feel, then book the dolphin boat trip there and join the Genipabu tour from the city for a day.

Do I need a visa for Brazil?

Since 10 April 2025, US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa to visit Brazil. UK and EU passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Always check the official Brazilian consulate website before travelling.

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