Natal is split into 2 main areas, as a tourist, most people only see Ponta Negra. The other areas, Lagoa Nova, Petropolis etc are full of mainly Brazilians and this is where you will find some of the good restaurants, and be able to pick up a bargain. For shopping, head to Alecrim, its a kind of street market area and the shops there sell everything, buses go from Ponta Negra and cost R$1.45 for a single journey. As with any busy place, keep hold of bags etc and try not to look too much like a tourist, otherwise you wont be able to negociate discounts on anything!!
For regional food, try "Mangai" in Lagoa Nova. They work on a per kilo basis for lunch and dinner (about R$12 per kilo). They also serve a local speciality, tapioca with carne de sol (sun dried beef) and cream for breakfast, which I would higly reccomend. For seafood, go to Camaroes, there are two near Ponta Negra and the dishes are around R$30 a portion, which like most things in Brazil more than adequately feeds 2 people. If you go to a restaurant, always ask how many people the food is for as its often not written on the menu and you will end up with far too much if you order one main course each!!! Try a traditional style Brazilian BBQ as well, go to Tabua De Carne restaurant on Av Roberto Freire and try the Rodizio... there are two restaurants in this chain, but only the one on Roberto Freire does the rodizio... Brazilians love Rodizio, you pay a fixed price, (in this case about R$18) and you eat as much as you want, for tourists its great, as you can try all the different BBQ meats and accompiaments. Picanha is the best BBQ meat, its like the best sirloin steaks. Another local speciality is escondidinha, which is mashed macaxeira (called manioc in English) with shredded sundried beef hidden inside, covered in metled cheese and put in the oven. If you have the courage to practice your portuguese, travel to lagoa nova and go to the food market on a Sunday in Rua Sao Jose, near to Hiper Bom Preco Lagoa Nova. They sell all kinds of fruit, veg, meat and even pots that you see in the tourist shops for R$70 being sold for R$10, its a real experience. Also try eating at one of the numerous little bars that set up at the side of the road and sell BBQ and skol.. the best is just up the road from the market in a large square full of Mango trees. They do a full meal called "prato executivo" with all the accompiniaments for R$4.50, just over GBP 1 !!!! and the food is great, fresh, home cooked and the skol is R$2.50 for a big 600ml bottle (cheaper than the 350ml bottles in Ponta Negra !!! ) I could go on for ages, but if anyone needs specific reccomendations or is interested in experiencing the real Brazil, let me know.
I can vouch for the pichana- absolutely beautiful! Also had a few dishes with manioc. Trying to think of the name of the speciality we had with black beans?? Hope to be hearing more from you!
Hi Gmoore,
i would have loved to had that kind of information before i went to natal and to be honest the rough guide was not much use.
I would love to have tried some of those eating places mentioned also i did not want to mention this but the two beach parasol guys in which we used to leave a tip every time we left the beach had tears in their eyes on our last day as we left them a big tip and our heart felt thanks for the service and laughs we had between us in trying to understand each other and that would imply to all restaurants and trips we went on.
i would have loved to had that kind of information before i went to natal and to be honest the rough guide was not much use.
I would love to have tried some of those eating places mentioned also i did not want to mention this but the two beach parasol guys in which we used to leave a tip every time we left the beach had tears in their eyes on our last day as we left them a big tip and our heart felt thanks for the service and laughs we had between us in trying to understand each other and that would imply to all restaurants and trips we went on.
Hi every one. Went to natal in 2001 when airtours tried to promote it as a holiday destination. We were actually the 2nd flight into natal from the uk.
Vaccination wise we seemed to get conflicting information from different docs. We were a party of 2 couples. Our doc said yes to yellow fever & no to malaria, but the other couple were told the opposite so we all stuck to our own docs recommendations.
We travelled mid september and had little rain, very hot with a lovely breeze on the sea front. Can't remember name of hotel except that it was all inclusive. Food wise i would say 50% of the time it was ok in the hotel. There was a language barrier but that was part of the fun. The staff could not do enough for you aswell as being very friendly. Now then, food wise outside of the hotel was absolutley fantastic. we tried a few of the local restaurants and could not fault any apart from struggling with the language, but we managed. One restaurant actually sent a taxi to pick us up from the hotel and returned us when we were finished free of charge. You get large portions for little money.
We did the trips which were better than normal and recieved great meals as part of the trips which was much better then europe and some other parts of the world when we have done the same thing on holiday. In fact one of the meals was an all you could eat BBQ buffet as mentioned in a previous msg. You got a token that was green one side (more meat) and red the other side (no more)
We also ventured outside the hotel ourselves without problems but you do still have to be aware of your surroundings as we saw people and buildings from povety to people who were quite well off. Some of the shopping centers are as good as back home and can be expensive.
On the whole we enjoyed our experience in brazil so much so we have booked the Iberostar Bahia in Praia do Forte for oct 2006.
I would be grateful for anyone visiting this hotel before ourselves to find out any info about SCUBA DIVING from this hotel.
Oh, don't forget to try the local drink "Caipirinha" if you have not tried it already.
Vaccination wise we seemed to get conflicting information from different docs. We were a party of 2 couples. Our doc said yes to yellow fever & no to malaria, but the other couple were told the opposite so we all stuck to our own docs recommendations.
We travelled mid september and had little rain, very hot with a lovely breeze on the sea front. Can't remember name of hotel except that it was all inclusive. Food wise i would say 50% of the time it was ok in the hotel. There was a language barrier but that was part of the fun. The staff could not do enough for you aswell as being very friendly. Now then, food wise outside of the hotel was absolutley fantastic. we tried a few of the local restaurants and could not fault any apart from struggling with the language, but we managed. One restaurant actually sent a taxi to pick us up from the hotel and returned us when we were finished free of charge. You get large portions for little money.
We did the trips which were better than normal and recieved great meals as part of the trips which was much better then europe and some other parts of the world when we have done the same thing on holiday. In fact one of the meals was an all you could eat BBQ buffet as mentioned in a previous msg. You got a token that was green one side (more meat) and red the other side (no more)
We also ventured outside the hotel ourselves without problems but you do still have to be aware of your surroundings as we saw people and buildings from povety to people who were quite well off. Some of the shopping centers are as good as back home and can be expensive.
On the whole we enjoyed our experience in brazil so much so we have booked the Iberostar Bahia in Praia do Forte for oct 2006.
I would be grateful for anyone visiting this hotel before ourselves to find out any info about SCUBA DIVING from this hotel.
Oh, don't forget to try the local drink "Caipirinha" if you have not tried it already.
Just got back from Natal, Brazil today having stayed at the Porto do Mar Hotel in Via Costiera. It was our second visit to Brazil, the last being to Porto de Galinhas south of Recife and I must say that we had a great two weeks.
The people were friendly and helpful both in the hotel and locally around Natal, we had a couple of difficulties in making ourselves understood but a few restaurants had English sub-titles to the menus and the hotel had hired some English translators for the really "Can't even try to speak anything but English" visitors!
The Porto do Mar was clean and the food was good, being at the sea edge and on a point out from the main area the "Gentle Breeze", which affected the majority of the city and made for a pleasant envorinment, was a strong wind at the front and side of the hotel. We certainly didn't loose any corflakes to the wind as the Porto do Mar has a good covered restaurant and lounge area protected from the wind. The nearby pool area benefited from the cooling breeze but the front lawn mad for a fun time in trying to sit and read a book. A reliable Internet facility and a large Reception area and shop added to the convenience of the location.
Being in Via Costiera the hotel was away from the main city areas and the Ponta Negra beach and restaurants so that meant a taxi ride (R 16-17) if you wanted to avoid catching a bus.
Restaurants have an anomoly of most meals being set meals for two which can be a bit of a nuisance - I love fish but "she who must be obeyed" doesn't, so it presented an unfortuanate barrier to complete culinary enjoyment, I do wish they would change that requirement - a couple allowed single portions but they were very much in the minority. Nevertheless the portions were always ample, well cooked and presented and very competitively priced - two could eat well for R30, a little under £10 or less if choosing one of the many self-service restaurants where you pay by weight!
We travelled out with Thomsons and had no complaints, we arrived on time and the return, though late leaving due to Brazillian "one-man airport operations" we arrived in Gatwick almost on time. Our Rep, Theo, was the most helpful Rep we had experienced being friendly, available and helpful in every respect.
The exchange can be a pain - Sterling seems to be a definite no-no for convenient exchange. One bureau in the Praia Shopping complex was always busy but convenient, the Banco de Brasil was a nightmare! We found the red cash dispenser in Praia Shopping to be the most convenient with English menu and ease of operation - card in>card out then go through the selections, easy.
I cannot understand why this area of Brazil seems not to be very popular with the English, it is a great location, the food is good including eating the fruit and salads without tummy upsets and the people are just great - don't loose out on the flights to Brazil, if you are looking for a great place to holiday get your booking in now!
The people were friendly and helpful both in the hotel and locally around Natal, we had a couple of difficulties in making ourselves understood but a few restaurants had English sub-titles to the menus and the hotel had hired some English translators for the really "Can't even try to speak anything but English" visitors!
The Porto do Mar was clean and the food was good, being at the sea edge and on a point out from the main area the "Gentle Breeze", which affected the majority of the city and made for a pleasant envorinment, was a strong wind at the front and side of the hotel. We certainly didn't loose any corflakes to the wind as the Porto do Mar has a good covered restaurant and lounge area protected from the wind. The nearby pool area benefited from the cooling breeze but the front lawn mad for a fun time in trying to sit and read a book. A reliable Internet facility and a large Reception area and shop added to the convenience of the location.
Being in Via Costiera the hotel was away from the main city areas and the Ponta Negra beach and restaurants so that meant a taxi ride (R 16-17) if you wanted to avoid catching a bus.
Restaurants have an anomoly of most meals being set meals for two which can be a bit of a nuisance - I love fish but "she who must be obeyed" doesn't, so it presented an unfortuanate barrier to complete culinary enjoyment, I do wish they would change that requirement - a couple allowed single portions but they were very much in the minority. Nevertheless the portions were always ample, well cooked and presented and very competitively priced - two could eat well for R30, a little under £10 or less if choosing one of the many self-service restaurants where you pay by weight!
We travelled out with Thomsons and had no complaints, we arrived on time and the return, though late leaving due to Brazillian "one-man airport operations" we arrived in Gatwick almost on time. Our Rep, Theo, was the most helpful Rep we had experienced being friendly, available and helpful in every respect.
The exchange can be a pain - Sterling seems to be a definite no-no for convenient exchange. One bureau in the Praia Shopping complex was always busy but convenient, the Banco de Brasil was a nightmare! We found the red cash dispenser in Praia Shopping to be the most convenient with English menu and ease of operation - card in>card out then go through the selections, easy.
I cannot understand why this area of Brazil seems not to be very popular with the English, it is a great location, the food is good including eating the fruit and salads without tummy upsets and the people are just great - don't loose out on the flights to Brazil, if you are looking for a great place to holiday get your booking in now!
nitroxdiver
thanks for the information and I hope you enjoy your next holiday in October.
Grandad
super report! I'll have to try somewhere else apart from Rio next time! Thanks for pming me offering to write a hotel report. It will be added very shortly!
thanks for the information and I hope you enjoy your next holiday in October.
Grandad
super report! I'll have to try somewhere else apart from Rio next time! Thanks for pming me offering to write a hotel report. It will be added very shortly!
Hi Gmoore,
Thanks for tips on eating out in Natal. We are going there next week on a package and are interested in using Natal as a base for seeing some of the North East. We are only there for a fortnight, but I wonder if you could suggest any do-able excursions? What about Fernando De Noronha or the Ceara coast? Anything worth seeing in the RN interior? Also, any tips for great seafood restaurants or Bahia cuisine around Natal? I've been to other parts of the country independently so I can recognise much of what you say about the people and culture. Also my girlfriend is Brazilian so language is not going to be a problem!
Thanks for tips on eating out in Natal. We are going there next week on a package and are interested in using Natal as a base for seeing some of the North East. We are only there for a fortnight, but I wonder if you could suggest any do-able excursions? What about Fernando De Noronha or the Ceara coast? Anything worth seeing in the RN interior? Also, any tips for great seafood restaurants or Bahia cuisine around Natal? I've been to other parts of the country independently so I can recognise much of what you say about the people and culture. Also my girlfriend is Brazilian so language is not going to be a problem!
Pedrinho, I would have to recomend "Camaroes" at Av. Eng. Roberto Freire, 2610, Ponta Negra in Natal. They do a great range of food, including great seafood and some reasonable wines but they can get busy quite early so you might want to book to be sure of a good table.
The restaurant is air-conditioned and has a front area partly designed for smokers and partly for children (opposite sides) and two large restaurant areas for diners.
If you like good Italian then there is a good restaurant quite near Camaroes but the name escapes me at the moment - its set back a bit off the road and is quite a sleek looking property. They do about 8 different types of pasta with about 20 different sauces as well as other types of foods.
My mouth is watering as I think about it all again!
The restaurant is air-conditioned and has a front area partly designed for smokers and partly for children (opposite sides) and two large restaurant areas for diners.
If you like good Italian then there is a good restaurant quite near Camaroes but the name escapes me at the moment - its set back a bit off the road and is quite a sleek looking property. They do about 8 different types of pasta with about 20 different sauces as well as other types of foods.
My mouth is watering as I think about it all again!
Holidays to Brazil with thomsons will only be doing the winter 2006/2007 and flights are from Gatwick,no Manchester flights.
Hi Pedrinho,
it might be a bit late for you to read this as maybe you are already on your way to Gatwick for your flight to Natal.... I actually have a friend arriving here tomorrow on the Thomson flight as well.
Excursions wise, make sure you do a buggy ride over the dunes of Genipabu.. its very close to Natal and is a must. if you can hire a car, head to Fortaleza (5 hrs north) and Recife (3 1/2 hrs South) both have excellent historical buildings and places to visit.
Between here and Recife, you can also stop in Joao Pessoa which is again full of history. Restaurant wise, Camaroes is a must for any Natal visitor, and I hear that Funchal is also very good for seafood, although I havent tried it myself yet.
Fernando de Noronha is a great place, only about 45 mins from Natal by prop plane.. if you go there take supplies with you as everything is expensive on the island. The diving there is great, and the beaches are voted in the top 3 in Brazil..... fantastic and not too pricey. Any good hotel in Ponta Negra / Via Costeira will tell you where you can organise a trip to FN. Normally prices are around R$1000 for a 3 night break including flights, but it depends on season etc. Remember as well that Carnaval is coming soon... we are actually heading down to Olinda (near Recife) for the pre-carnaval celebrations... supposively they start around now and those guys party for a whole month... has to be seen to be believed, or so I am told, so I would say check that out if you get the chance.
it might be a bit late for you to read this as maybe you are already on your way to Gatwick for your flight to Natal.... I actually have a friend arriving here tomorrow on the Thomson flight as well.
Excursions wise, make sure you do a buggy ride over the dunes of Genipabu.. its very close to Natal and is a must. if you can hire a car, head to Fortaleza (5 hrs north) and Recife (3 1/2 hrs South) both have excellent historical buildings and places to visit.
Between here and Recife, you can also stop in Joao Pessoa which is again full of history. Restaurant wise, Camaroes is a must for any Natal visitor, and I hear that Funchal is also very good for seafood, although I havent tried it myself yet.
Fernando de Noronha is a great place, only about 45 mins from Natal by prop plane.. if you go there take supplies with you as everything is expensive on the island. The diving there is great, and the beaches are voted in the top 3 in Brazil..... fantastic and not too pricey. Any good hotel in Ponta Negra / Via Costeira will tell you where you can organise a trip to FN. Normally prices are around R$1000 for a 3 night break including flights, but it depends on season etc. Remember as well that Carnaval is coming soon... we are actually heading down to Olinda (near Recife) for the pre-carnaval celebrations... supposively they start around now and those guys party for a whole month... has to be seen to be believed, or so I am told, so I would say check that out if you get the chance.
It may be too late for pedrihno but there will be quite a few first timers to Natal this year who will find the suggestions helpful.
Hi Pat and Andy here
Just wondering if any one has heard from First Choice about the new Iberostar in Bahia
We are going on May 5th. We want to get exited about it, but as yet we are not sure if it will even be ready .I have e.mailed Iberostar and First Choice but as yet had no reply
Any information will be very appreciated. THANKS
jubileepat
Just wondering if any one has heard from First Choice about the new Iberostar in Bahia
We are going on May 5th. We want to get exited about it, but as yet we are not sure if it will even be ready .I have e.mailed Iberostar and First Choice but as yet had no reply
Any information will be very appreciated. THANKS
jubileepat
Hi all the new Iberostar Bahia is now on the Iberostar web site here
http://www.portal-interactiv.com/iberostar.asp?conccodi=3&codiconc=109&idiocodi=2&session=
not able to get availability on it yet but at least it shows they now know about it.
Hope its ready on time we fly fron Manchester 2nd June 2006
http://www.portal-interactiv.com/iberostar.asp?conccodi=3&codiconc=109&idiocodi=2&session=
not able to get availability on it yet but at least it shows they now know about it.
Hope its ready on time we fly fron Manchester 2nd June 2006
Hi all
Just had new email from Iberostar they say the Bahia is on schedule to open 8th April and did send me 3 photos but all look like just slighty different views of same room if anyone wants to see them let me know. Can anyone how goes before us let me know what its like please we go 2nd June.
Just had new email from Iberostar they say the Bahia is on schedule to open 8th April and did send me 3 photos but all look like just slighty different views of same room if anyone wants to see them let me know. Can anyone how goes before us let me know what its like please we go 2nd June.
I have asked for the hotel to be added to our review page and I'm looking forward to seeing all the glowing reports!
Does anyone want any other Brazil hotels added to our review pages?
Hi all can anyone tell me how to include photo's please maybe its just me being thick but tried all sorts but no luck so far
I have managed to get them on here
http://www.iberostar-board.com/boards/index.php?topic=2145.30
for anyone who wants a look
http://www.iberostar-board.com/boards/index.php?topic=2145.30
for anyone who wants a look
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