It is the first Environmental Conservation Unit implanted in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, created in 1977. It is na area of 1.172 hectares, 8,5 km in extension, approximately 2 km wide and dunes 120 meters high. It is very important to Natal because it contribuites to improve the city’s weather, re- charges and protects the subterranean waters reservoirs and the life quality of the city’s population. It is the second biggest park in an urban area in Brazil. Bosque dos Namorados is the area of the dune park for public use.This Park has 3 guided trails for visitation.

O BOSQUE DOS NAMORADOS (LOVER’S FOREST)
It’s the area of the Dune Park for public use. It has 7 hectares, 1.300 trees within a planned structure according to the Management Plan. It is composed of the Entrance/Ticket Booth, Environmental Education and Arts Workshop, Environmental Command Post, Research Center, Dune Native Vegetation Sample unity, Visitors Center (Administration, exhibition room, library, auditorium and nurse post), Playground, Running Strip, Picnic and Game area, Information Center, Snack bar and Trails.

NATIVE FLORA
The State Dune Park is an important remnant of the Atlantic Forest and is considered part of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. The Park’s vegetation is composed by Atlantic Forest (80%), Coastal Tableland vegetation formation (10%). Among the main species found are: pau-brasil, sucupira, ma çaranduba, peroba, manacá, orchid and bromelia.

NATIVE FAUNA
There are many species that inhabit the Dune Park and along its 1.1172 hectares it is common to observe representatives of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, arthropods and bugs nourishing themselves in this zon considered Atlantic Forest, tableland and restinga. We can cite among them sagüi monkey, fox, sabiá bird, pintor-verdadeiro, snakes, frogs, butterfly, ant, scorpions and spiders. In fauna, the biggest attractions are the Tocandira, an ant with lonely habits, which can measures until 6 cm and a new specie of lagarto, discovered one year, called Coleodactilus natalensis.

GUIDED TRAILS
The Dune Park has 3 guided trails for visitation: Peroba, Ubaia doce and Perobinha. The first one is 2.800 meters long (back and forth) and it can be walked in 1 hour and a half. Ubaia Doce has 4.174 meters (back and forth) and is a good 2 and a half hour walk. The Perobinha measures 50 meters (back and forth) and is destined to children. One can observe native trees, orchids, bromelias, bird nests, some animals, besides a beautiful panoramic view from the miradors located at the end of the trails, were the sea and the morro do careca can be visualized. The trails are done with groups from 5 to 25 people. Time for the trails: 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 14:00 e 14:30. It ’s better call before ....

ENVIROMENTAL EDUCATION
The work of Enviromental Education of the Parque das Dunas comprises the visitors of the public use area – Bosque dos Namorados, and also the people who live in the surroundings. Its purpose is to awake people’s critical conscience to a need of defense and protection of natural resources of the Parque Estadual Dunas do Natal. The activities of Enviromental Education have been developed with an aim among others of technical improvement, observations pratical studies to students and teachers, training, integration community – Parque, and Eco-tourism development.

Natal

Forget the pollution and insecurity.

Natal is the capital of the Rio Grande do Norte, the state located more to the east of all South America, and where you can found the biggest cashew tree (“cajueiro”) of the world. Our state has over 410 Km of coast, full of beaches with remarkable beauties.

Its capital is known as “city of the sun”, because here, 300 days are sunny out of one year. Natal, a city with pleasant and nice citizens is the piece of earth with the purest air of America’s continent, and the second of the World, according to NASA. Besides that, recently it has been given to Natal, by the IPEA (Applied Economics Research Institute), the status of “The safest capital of Brazil” !! As if those thing wasn’t enough, here is located the second biggest urban forest park of the country, the “Parque das Dunas”.


Ponta Negra

Out of the beaches in Natal, without a doubt the best choice is Ponta Negra. Gifted with sun all year long, with its pleasant and suitable to bath sea, and a fascinating sunset, here is the place where is located the “Morro do Careca” icon of the city. Ponta Negra has the advantage of being at the best location inside the city, surrounded by everything you may need to fully enjoy your holiday. And, at the best spot of Ponta Negra.