Of all the praias that are located on the coast between Natal and the Ponta do Calcanhar, Pititinga is one that maintains traces of its origin as a fishing colony. Located in the municipality of Rio do Fogo, called the Esquina (corner) of Brazil, it was preferred by the Indians that inhabited the potiguar coast for its natural riches and foods from the beach waters, which justifies its name, "Pititinga" .. beach of small fish.

With beautiful coconut trees, dunes and small steams, Pititinga today, perhaps is the only praia of our coast that grew as a fishing colony, maintaining its natural characteristics and still without suffering the influence of the tourist industry, as its neighbor Maracajaú. The majority of the people are catholic and revering Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes, patron saint of the district, which is carried through the streets and the beach front on its day. A ceremony very original and different that the other chapels on the beach front.

About 50 kilometers from Natal, the village doesn't have more than a thousand habitants, the majority living from fishing, small businesses or retired from old seafaring, the last a large source of resources. Tourism is in its first stages with at least an association that receives guests and offers a good restaurant. Other structures are small bars and stores, where you will find 'água de coco', beer or refrigerants and 'tira gosta' based on fried fish and shrimp.

Beach netting

For a tourist that wants to know a fairly primitive praia, that is not far from Natal, Pititinga is ideal. The beach has small dunes, some creeks and immense coquiros, where under their shade the fishermen park their jangadas. Therefore, the major reference of the beach of Pititinga is fishing for small fish and shrimp. Arriving seaside, any hour you will certainly encounter men fishing or dragging their nets. The magic is fishing with nets. It is common to encounter groups of fishermen launching their nets with lines that stay on the beach, the fishermen advance 400 - 500 meter into the sea, depending on the school of fish that they are fishing for a launch the net until the other point that is for the other line to the beach. Then they return to the beach. With both points of line the start to tow the net towards the beach with whatever they catch. Small fish, shrimp 'type vila franca', or other larger fish caught make the net heavy.

In order to sense how enjoyable this type of fishing is, feel free, grab a place on the line and help drag the net from the sea. Afterwards watch what the fishermen do and learn the correct method. If not, instead of helping you might hinder their work. Fishing, a beach walk, swimming in the sea and visiting a beach kiosk, drink a cold one and eat a 'tira gosto'. Ask for a fried fish and is good, possibly one of those small fresh ones, cooked in 'azeite de dende' that is exactly those that you helped fish.

Access fro BR 101 is by a dirt road. The streets are not paved, public light is poor. In compensation the people are hospitable and simply are with open arms welcoming visitors. With the arrival of the first signals of progress, the population is beginning to remember the time when they could sleep on the verandas of their houses or with doors and windows open.