Baía Formosa: Lagoons, Forest and Coastal Experiences

Dark lagoon waters, trails through Mata Estrela and experiences on the open sea define Baía Formosa. If you’re looking for a holiday apartment, you can start by asking which aspects of the area appeal to you most: nature trails and lagoons, water activities, or insights into its history and local crafts. The different attractions make Baía Formosa a destination for a varied range of discoveries.

Lagoons and trails through Mata Estrela

Lagoa Araraquara is also known as Lagoa da Coca-Cola. Its water is dark in color; this is attributed to pigments in tree roots and the chemical composition of the iodine- and iron-rich soil. Tourists visit the lagoon. Those interested in nature and distinctive landscape features will find a striking contrast here to Baía Formosa’s coastal experiences.

In Mata Estrela, trails pass several lagoons: Gravatá, Chico do Alto, Capitão, Junco and Bumba. Ecological hikes follow a variety of routes there. When planning, you can focus on a hike that passes lagoons or explore the different routes on offer. For longer ecological hikes, it is also possible to walk as far as Sagi. These trails and hikes give your stay its own focus on nature, alongside the activities by the sea.

Sea, views and activities

Praia do Bacupari has a preserved area of Atlantic rainforest vegetation and access to the open sea. Cliffs and dunes define Praia do Porto, making it suitable for excursions and adventures. These coastal spots offer contrasting landscapes: at Bacupari, rainforest vegetation meets the open sea, while at Praia do Porto, the focus is on cliffs and dunes.

There are also various options on the water. Boat trips include a stop for swimming and diving with dolphins, and you can watch the sunset at the end of the day. Mirante da Baía is a stop on the city tour of Baía Formosa, and you can watch the sunset from there too. Two different evening experiences are therefore on offer: the view from Mirante and winding down the day on a boat trip.

If you’d like to be active yourself, you can consider surfing lessons for beginners, intermediate surfers and advanced surfers. Buggy tours are offered in Baía Formosa using licensed vehicles.

Local history and culture

Baía Formosa began with the construction of a boat harbor, around which a fishing settlement developed. The Nossa Senhora da Conceição Church was founded in 1892 and is considered the municipality’s most important architectural monument. Mercado das Artes adds to the cultural attractions: it has nine shops selling a range of tourist products. Custom orders are also accepted for some items.

Praia do Sagi is a small district with a fishing village and an Indigenous community. It lies on the border with the state of Paraíba. Along with the option of walking as far as Sagi on longer ecological hikes, this place offers another glimpse of the surrounding area. If you’re interested in landscapes, local history or local products, Baía Formosa offers these cultural points of interest alongside its active coastal experiences.

Getting there and other destinations

Baía Formosa is about 100 km south of Natal and can be reached via the BR-101 and RN-064. Other destinations at the same parent level include Lagoa Nova, Nísia Floresta, São Bento do Trairi, Angicos and Arês.

See the main travel overview: Rio Grande Do Norte.