The eyes of the São Paulo tourist finally had found the beautiful beach that they had been told about, sung in verse for the tourism magazines, chats and spoken as a tropical paradise. It was after crossing a type of bay, which separates the continent from the isthmus where the beach of Galinhos is located.

After leaving Natal, in a tourism microbus, with gauchos, natives of São Paulo and foreigners side by side, covering 160 kilometers of highway and crossing by boat that the natives call motorized, appears Galinhos, its dunes, its coqueiral and the beautiful lighthouse.

You should not forget a visit to Galinhos, on the north potiguar coast, with approximately two thousand inhabitants, living from fishing, handicrafts and, now, tourism. It is a destination that is associates eco-tourism with sun and beach. The small fishing community shows, to a few, even if deprived of characteristics, a measure that incorporates modern life and small comforts of the neighboring cities, beyond the tourist structure.

For who knew Galinhos 15 or 20 years ago, today will find great differences. A coqueiral on dunes was removed to make place for the construction of a subdivision, located at the entrance of the city. The charm for the tourist is to walk the streets of beach sand. Currently, although access of car is difficult, half of the streets of the city are paved with cobble stone, which modifies the climate of the seaside.

But Galinhos keeps its magic and its enchantment, because of its privileged location. It has to the north the Atlantic Ocean, to the east immense dunes, the south and the west the inlet from the sea arm which transforms it into a beautiful isthmus. Sun and sea are what the city has to offer. Is more needed? No, but it has. It has sun and river and it has sun and natural swimming pools that are formed during the high tide, ideal for the bath of children and old folks.

For those that prefer more adventure, a tip would be is to walk along the edge of the water and to tame the dunes or then walk in direction to the lighthouse that separates the city of Guamaré, another paradise of the still virgin nature. To rent to a boat, covering the entire cove that advances 16 kilometers, having as landscape dunes and manguezais, also is a good idea. Look for a boat with an experienced pilot and ask him to make one 'paradinha' in the beach 'de Galos', a district of Galinhos.

By car, traction 4x4, the only access being along the maritime edge, from the beach of Caiçara do Norte, it is recommended that this happens during the low or ebb tide, in order not to force the vehicle too much. To keep the tranquility of the village, leave the car in the beginning of the beach, go to the city on foot.

The emotion to know Galinhos starts before you place your feet on the beach. It is at the moment when you embark in the motorized boat to cross the river Pratagil and the sea cove, having as scene a beautiful isthmus, where the beach is. There are 14 boats in activity, working from 5 of the morning to the 8 at night. If you will be to arrive at a different time you have to inform the boatmen, through the staff at the inn. The passage during the normal schedule is R$ 1,00 per person.

At the wharf of the Pratagil, there is a great parking for vehicles, since it is impossible to bring a passenger car to the city. The Prefeitura of Galinhos keeps a service of permanent security and which is offered gratuitously. If you are lucky you can find a vacant space with covering or shade. The passage is fast and lasts 10 minutes.

The boats are old adapted fishing boats and they do not offer very much comfort.

Galinhos is 160 kilometers from Natal and the access from Natal is made by the Br-101 highway, until the intersection with Br-406, turning onto this highway. After João Câmara there is a state highway that it leads until the Rio Pratagil.

It is also possible to arrive at the city, by the maritime edge, in a buggy or 4x4 traction car, from São Bento do Norte and Caiçara do Norte, or by motor boat through Guamaré.

The Marazul agency, Rua Manoel Sátiro, 01 in Ponta Negra, telephones (84) 3219-2221, 3091-2450 and 9988-4787 offers 'passeios' to Galinhos and Galos