Lagoa Nova: Mountain Climate, Geopark and Culture

Lagoa Nova lies entirely within the Seridó Geopark, which was recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2022. The municipality’s main attraction is the mountain climate of the Serra de Santana. The coolest season runs from June to August; during these months, overnight lows can drop to 15 °C. Another landmark in the town is the lagoon after which Lagoa Nova is named: it is about 500 metres from the centre.

Mountain scenery and viewpoints

Nearby is Mirante Santa Rita, at an elevation of 733 metres. From there, you can see Currais Novos and part of the Serra da Umburana. The viewpoint is 3.5 kilometres east-southeast of the centre, on the RN-087 towards Cerro Corá and on the southern Serra de Santana. Check local road conditions before setting out.

Sítio Cabeço also has viewpoints offering different perspectives on the landscape. One is 3.5 kilometres from the town centre and offers panoramic views of the Serra de Santana, reservoirs and towns in the region. Another viewpoint in rural Sítio Cabeço is five kilometres from the centre. From there, the panoramic view stretches across the Serra de Santana and towns in the region; it opened in 2018.

Local history and living culture

The present-day Nossa Senhora da Conceição Chapel in Povoado Manoel Domingos was built by José Domingos in 1948. The Cruzeiro Baraúna marks the site of the town’s first mass and holds sociocultural as well as political significance. The Biblioteca Municipal Bernadete Xavier Gomes is also located in the centre and was established on 26 April 1973. A 2012 cultural report mentions folk groups and a marching band made up exclusively of girls as part of Lagoa Nova’s cultural life.

The Festa de Santo Antônio in the rural community of São Francisco includes novenas and a procession. A 2022 description gives the dates as 4 to 13 July and mentions approximately 200 visitors during the festivities. Check the latest dates before your trip. The Festa do Agricultor is also considered a culturally significant event tradition in Lagoa Nova.

Cashew, markets and regional cuisine

Cashew production is Lagoa Nova’s main economic activity. The cashew fruit is also considered a symbol of the local fruit industry and an emblem of the municipality. The entrance gateway to Lagoa Nova draws on this symbolism: it was built in 2014 and inspired by the cashew fruit.

In the centre, the Feira Livre offers fruit, vegetables, food, regional products, clothing and handicrafts; the selection may vary. The Mercado Público Municipal in the centre stands out for its Art Deco architecture. These two places show different sides of everyday life: the varied market offerings and a distinctive architectural feature of the town.

Casa da Serra Café Bistrô is located on the RN-087 in Sítio Santa Rita near Lagoa Nova and opened on 25 December 2021. A 2022 description mentions contemporary cuisine with a regional touch. Check whether the café is currently operating before visiting. Also nearby, 3.5 kilometres from the centre and part of the Geossítio Mirante de Santa Rita, is Portal do Universo. A 2022 description mentions relaxation, meditation and therapeutic massage services there; check in advance whether they are currently available.

Choosing the right location

When choosing your holiday apartment, you can first consider whether you would prefer to stay near the centre or closer to the viewpoints and places in the surrounding area. The Feira Livre, Mercado Público Municipal and library are in the centre; the lagoon that gave the town its name is also not far from the town centre. The viewpoints in Sítio Cabeço and Mirante Santa Rita, by contrast, offer their own landscape views outside the centre. Compare your accommodation’s location with the places you are interested in, and take local road conditions into account when travelling to Mirante Santa Rita.

Discover more destinations: Nísia Floresta, Baía Formosa, Angicos, Arês, São Bento do Trairi.

Return to the main travel overview: Rio Grande Do Norte.