Sheer cliffs
Above white sand.
Gustavo Mitilene Cordeiro — CC BY-SA 4.0 · DeboraBach — CC BY-SA 4.0 · MTur Destinos — Public domain · Raquel Saggin — CC BY-SA 3.0
Pipa, in Tibau do Sul south of Natal, was a small fishing village until the 1970s, when surfers and backpackers discovered its clear water, fine white sand, Atlantic Forest and vertical cliffs about 10 metres high. Brazilian and then foreign visitors followed, and it grew into one of the country's most popular and cosmopolitan beach villages, with many businesses run by foreigners who came to visit and stayed. Its name is said to come from a large barrel-shaped rock, pipa meaning barrel in European Portuguese, that Portuguese sailors saw from the sea; early maps called it Itacoatiara, the painted cliff. Environmental protection areas around the village now limit its growth. Take care in the sea: currents can be strong, and the waves surfers love are dangerous for swimmers. The village is busy and prices are high in season.
Above white sand.
Around the village.
Visitors from everywhere.
Pipa, Tibau do Sul, south of Natal
Currents can be strong and the waves big in places, so swim carefully and choose calm spots.