Pipa

A resort town in northeastern Brazil framed by red sea cliffs: see dolphins up close at Baía dos Golfinhos, surf at Praia do Madeiro and watch the sunset from the Chapadão cliffs, while buggy trips along the south coast reach natural pools and the Lagoa da Coca-Cola.

Pipa is a seaside resort town in the municipality of Tibau do Sul in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, about 80 km south of the state capital, Natal. A former fishing village, it is known for its reddish-brown sea cliffs, emerald-green water, wild dolphins and lively nightlife, and is often ranked among the most beautiful beaches in northeastern Brazil. The climate is tropical, with temperatures of 25–30°C year-round; September to March is the dry season, with the most sunshine; December–February and Carnival are high season, when accommodation should be booked well ahead; April–July is the rainy season, with frequent showers, though still fine for a visit. The area divides into three parts. First, the town centre and the beaches on either side – Praia do Centro, Baía dos Golfinhos, Praia do Madeiro and Praia do Amor – together with the Chapadão clifftop lookout and the trails of the Santuário Ecológico; most beaches can only be reached from one another by walking along the shore at low tide, so be sure to check the tide table before setting out. Second, the town of Tibau do Sul and the Lagoa Guaraíras to the north, for evening sunsets and boat trips through the mangroves; northern buggy routes also cross the Malembá dunes to the Lagoa de Arituba. Third, the southern buggy day trip, passing in turn Praia das Minas, where sea turtles nest, the natural pools of Sibaúma, Barra do Cunhaú and the fishing village of Baía Formosa, and reaching as far as the Lagoa da Coca-Cola and Praia do Sagi in the Mata Estrela reserve. Getting there: Natal International Airport (NAT) is about 70 km from Pipa, around 1–1.5 hours by taxi or private transfer, and shuttle buses also run; the town's main street is packed with restaurants, bars and guesthouses, all within walking distance. Allow 3–4 days. Note: the cliffs are soft sandstone, so don't linger beneath them; keep your distance when swimming with dolphins and don't feed them; avoid walking alone at night on secluded beaches away from the main street.

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