Genipabu

Camels in Brazil? Actually, they look right at home on the huge sand dunes of Genipabu. About 30 kilometers north of Natal, Genipabu is probably the area’s most popular destination. It offers a little of everything. Start with the enormous sand dunes (more than 50 meters tall and often extremely steep). These lie between the calm, warm ocean and an inland, fresh-water lake, resting among the white dunes. Along the beach are several beach bars with tables and umbrellas for food and drinks. You can walk from your table to the top of a tall dune, where you find the camel rides. A slow walk across the dunes is around R$20 for 10 minutes or R$40 for 30 minutes (prices go up in peak season). Slide back down the dune at the ski-bunda station, where locals will arrange a board for you to use to ski down the sand on your butt.

Buggy rides, whether you hire one from Ponta Negra or arrange one at Genipabu, will take you over a series of dunes with names like Devil’s Cauldron and Hollywood Success. You will be asked if you want the ride com ou sem emoção (with or without emotion). You can pretty much imagine what the difference is. Just be sure that your sunglasses are on tight and don’t wear a hat unless it straps onto your head. Drivers are trustworthy and very familiar with the territory. Only drivers with credentials are allowed into the Genipabu dunes. If you arrive in Genipabu on your own, you can arrange a buggy to take you farther up the coast from here. Ask at your beach kiosk for vovô (tel. 84/3225-2015). There is a great little shopping area near the beach bars with more buggy agencies. One half-day buggy package to try goes to Genipabu from Ponta Negra, letting you get to know the many options here, have lunch at one of the kiosks, and ride the dunes there and back again, with a visit to the inland lake.

To get to Genipabu by bus, you can catch the Extremoz line from the Natal bus station every 45 minutes from 5 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Get off at the last beach stop, near the restaurant Terra Nossa.