Silversea Expedition Cruises À NATAL

Explore the lace-making traditions and flavours of Ponta Negra during this leisurely, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Natal, Ponta Negra Village, Bald Man's Hill, Barracas, Jangadas

Newly-designed especially for our valued World Cruise guests, your tour begins with a scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to Ponta Negra, a fishing village and beach located in Natal City. Ponta Negra Beach features several shops, restaurants, bars, night clubs, and hotels. Common sites here are 'barracas', which are tents or huts serving food and drinks, and 'jangadas', simple, multi-coloured, local fishing boats typical of north-eastern Brazil. Located in the extreme south of the beach is the Morro do Careca (Bald Man's Hill), a large dune and landmark of the city.

Bobbin Lace Workshop, Demonstration and Exhibition, Tapioca Tasting

It is in this fishing village where bobbin lace has become the one of the main patrimonies of the region's matriarchs. Upon arrival, proceed for a visit to a local bobbin lace workshop. Learn about the history of bobbin lace, observe the lace-makers demonstrating their lace-making techniques, which combine hand activity with extreme skill and concentration, and hear the music of the bobbins from the embroidery process. After the lace-making demonstration, browse an exhibition of products from famous local lace-makers and enjoy a tasting of tapioca, a popular local snack. Following your visit, your tour concludes with an approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Enjoy a full day of immersion into Brazilian cuisine and cultural traditions on this roving full-day tour. Board your coach and drive 30 minutes to Ribeira, the historic part of town. Your guide tells you the historic spots to look for; keep an eye out for the Governor's Palace, mayor's office and the old cathedral. Enjoy some time for handcraft shopping before reboarding the coach.

Then drive (15 minutes) through the modern parts of the city until you reach Ponta Negra beach, where you can view of Morro do Careca, the city's most famous view featured on many postcards. At Ponta Negra, learn about the culture of a fishing village where lace has become the main activity of the region's matriarchs.

From the beach, return via costeira to the historic 16th-century Portuguese Fort Reis Magos, which marks the foundation of Natal. Pause at this scenic spot for photos before transferring (15 minutes) to the Tourism Centre, where you can explore all kinds of Northeast Brazilian handcraft and hear more about the Bilro´s technique for lacemaking.

This craft is a handmade activity of extreme skill and concentration; the bobbin lace is one of the main patrimonies of Natal. Take a workshop with the matriarch lace makers and see firsthand the intricate techniques and elements of the lace.

After your workshop it is time for a lunch made up of classic Brazilian dishes, served at the patio of historical building. As you dine, enjoy a presentation of the folklore of the region, the "Forró" and "Capoeira show".

After a bit of time for shopping, drive 15 minutes to return to the ship.

Indulge your senses with the sights and sounds of Brazilian music, dance and culture during your visits to the Capoeira Community and Cultural Centre. Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian form which blends dance; martial arts, and acrobatics into one beautiful art like no other.

Depart the pier for the approximate 30-minute drive to the suburbs of Natal.

Community Capoeira da Boa Vontade

Upon arrival, a visit is made to the Capoeira Community to see the 'Capoeira de Roda' dance performed by the 'Boa Vontade'. This group of Capoeira dancers and masters teach children of poor communities the art of this fight dance, which originated in Africa and was brought over to Brazil by slaves in the 16th century. The Capoeira Community also offers a variety of educational and health activities.

Tourism Centre

Next, proceed to the Tourism Centre to watch a pair of dancers and musical trio perform the typical 'Forro' dance. Your visit also includes an opportunity to learn about the popular culture of Northeastern Brazil, from which this folkloric dance originated.

The Tourism Centre is an old prison that was converted into the commercial artisanal shopping centre. Each shop is an old converted cell where you will be able to explore all kinds of Northeastern Brazilian crafts. These artists value their rich artisanal history and are admired around the world for their skill and craft.

Afterward, re-board your coach for the return drive to the pier.

Explore the dunes, rivers and lagoons of Natal in a fun-filled and exciting new way during this off-road excursion.

Natal is known for its 4,000 acres of dramatic wind-swept dunes filled with clear lakes and gorgeous beaches that form the beautifully preserved State Park. People from all over the world come to Natal to experience this unique dune-buggy adventure.

Depart the pier via coach for the drive to Santa Rita Beach. Along the way, cross the bridge that passes over the Potengi River, and connects Forte and Redinha.

Next, proceed along Redinha Beach en route to Santa Rita Beach. Here, board your beach buggy each holds two guests and your driver, and begin the adventure riding towards the dunes on Genipabu beach. Choose either to have an exciting ride or a relaxing one, but either way riders will be blown away by the incredible views of the ocean. The dunes at Genipabú are ever changing and transform with the winds and growth of the local vegetation, never forming in the same place twice.

After the ride through the dunes, take a short 10 minute trip across the Ceará Mirim River on a private-poled raft, and arrive at Pitangui Lagoon for a refreshing swim and tropical drink break. Afterwards enjoy a fantastic drive through the golden Dunes of Jacumã and Jacumã Beach before the tour concludes with an approximate 1-hour return drive to the pier via coach.

Explore the landmarks, culture and art of Natal during this picturesque sightseeing tour of the city. Natal is known for great beaches, historical sites, and nature areas, and it is a frequently used base for exploring the paradisiac beaches and nature of the Rio Grande do Norte state.

Depart the pier for the scenic orientation drive through the Ribeira District and the downtown area en route to Natal.

Ribeira District

In the historic part of town, observe the American influenced architecture, left over from the days when the American base operated during World War II. Continue towards the downtown area to see the Governors Palace and the mayor's office, as well as the André Albuquerque square where the founding point of the city is located.

Reis Magos Fort

Travel on the Via Costeira, the avenue that links the South zone of the city with the urban beaches and encircles the second largest urban forest in Brazil, for a photo stop to the 16th-century Portuguese Fort Reis Magos. In Fortaleza, which is strategically located on the Potengi River, see the incredible view of Natal. The history of the battles among the Portuguese, Dutch, and French is recapped in each room of the fort, as well as the stories of the local heroes from the era.

Tourism Centre

Our next stop will be on the Tourism Centre, old detention house that became a craft center and art galery. There, you can explore all kinds of Northeast Brazilian handcraft and have the opportunity to taste a typical brazilian food called "bolinhos de macaxeira com carne de sol" .

Re-board your coach for the return drive to the pier.

Discover the brilliant nature surrounding Natal with a hike in Parque das Dunas and an exciting dune buggy ride through the Dunes of Genipabu on this full-day tour that also includes a delicious lunch and some leisure time for swimming.

Drive thirty minutes to the Parque das Dunas, which is located in Natal and has an area of 1,172 hectares and is recognized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational Organization, Science and Culture) as an integral part of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve. Parque das Dunas is considered the largest urban park on dunes in Brazil, holding fundamental importance for the quality of life of the population thanks to the air purification and water table preservation it provides. Meet your expert guide and take a hike that is 2.4km (1.5 miles) in each direction as you learn about the geology, fauna and flora of the park (hike is 90 minutes round trip).

After your hike and some refreshing coconut water, reboard your air-conditioned coach and travel 30 minutes to Santa Rita Beach to meet your dune buggy. Your adventure starts at the Genipabu beach, where you begin your ride into the Dunes of Genipabu.

Natal is known for its 4,000 acres of dramatic wind-swept dunes filled with many natural, clear lakes. People from all over the world come to Natal for this unique dune-buggy adventure. You can choose a relaxing or exciting dune buggy ride through the soft dunes, all the while having spectacular views over the ocean.

After your ride through the dunes, cross a small winding over on a private-poled raft. Stop at the Pitangui Lagoon for a relaxing swim with a refreshing local fruit drink to cool you down. Enjoy a fantastic drive through the golden Dunes of Jacumã.

Your final stop is Jacumã Beach, where you dine upon a typical lunch by the sea followed by some time to swim once again.

Return 1 hour back to the pier aboard your coach after this full and splendid day.

Explore Natal at your leisure during your full-day (8-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Natal at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Natal at your leisure during your full-day (8-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Natal at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.