Travel agency

The SVR 2010 official travel agent is Harabello Viagens e Turismo Address information Phone: +5584 3133-4141 / 3131-4108 / 3131-4109 Website: http://www.harabello.com.br Contact (substitute "at" with @): - Danielle Câmara (danielle at harabello.com.br) - Adrienne Salgado (adrienne at harabello.com.br) For travel and lodging information click here.

Currency

The brazilian currency is the Real (plural: Reais, abbreviation: R$). Most shops, restaurants and hotels accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. You can also change quite easily several foreign currencies (mainly US dollar, Euro, Scandinavian currencies, British pound) to Reais.

Currency change agencies are available at the airport and in several touristic and shopping areas.
Please access the site of the Brazil Central Bank for information about currency exchange.

Electricity adapters

Brazil is a bi-volt country (110V and 220V), and Natal is a 220V area, and it is very easy to find here voltage converters; frequency is 60Hz. The electric adapters usually accept both round pin and flat blade plugs. For extensive details on electric adapters in Brazil, please have a look here.

Language

The official language of Brazil is Portuguese. If you speak Spanish or Italian, you may be able to communicate without too much difficulties with most people. As Natal has received an increasing number of foreign tourists in the last few years from a variety of different countries, more and more people are trained to work with foreign visitors.

How to get there

Airports: The only major airport in the State of Rio Grande do Norte is Aeroporto Augusto Severo, in Parnamirim, about 18 km from downtown Natal. In 2000, the aiport was completely refurbished, becoming of one the most modern in Brazil today. There are a few direct flights to Natal from other major Brazilian state capitals but many flights have a connection in Recife or Salvador. In the past few years, Natal also become the destination of an increasing number of direct flights from Europe: regular flights from Lisbon (Portugal) and charter flights from several european countries (Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden).

Important information: Direct flights from Europe to Natal have a very high level of occupancy. It is wise to make early reservation in order to guarantee your seat on such flights (at least, you will get cheapest fares).

Touristic destinations

Extend your stay for a few days and discover some of the following activities:

• Rest at the hotel, walk on the beach and refill your energies to come back full force to your daily occupations.
• Visit the ecological paradise of the Fernando de Noronha island, a World Heritage property of Unesco, just one hour away of plane from Natal.
• Dive in the reefs of Maracajaú.
• Practice or learn surf, kite surf, wind surf, sand board, etc.
• Discover the magnificent beaches of the state of Rio Grande do Norte: Pipa, Genipabu, Pirangi, Ponta Negra etc.