Brazil's North-East Region
Pipa Travel Guide
Spot dolphins while you learn to surf below Pipa's stunning cliff-lined beaches
Pipa, located in Rio Grande do Norte, is a famous beach town known for its steep pink cliffs, clear waters, and lively atmosphere. Surrounded by natural beauty, including Baia dos Golfinhos (Dolphin Bay) and the Pipa Ecological Sanctuary, Pipa attracts visitors with opportunities for dolphin watching, surfing, kitesurfing, and hiking. The town’s vibrant nightlife and relaxed beach vibe make it a popular destination for both international and local travelers as well as digital nomads.
Top 5 Things to See & Do in Pipa
Relax at Praia do Amor
Surf at Baía dos Golfinhos
Explore the Pipa Ecological Sanctuary
Take a boat tour to see dolphins
Stroll through the village of Pipa
On a tight schedule? Consider taking a day trip from Natal!
Where is Pipa, Brazil
Closest airport
The closest airport is located in Natal (NAT)
Main bus terminal
Terminal de Ônibus Pipa/Natal
N/A
Main ports
How to get to Pipa
Pipa is situated on the north-east coast of Brazil, between Natal and Recife. Both cities have an international airport and good intercity bus connections. It is easy to reach Pipa by bus from both cities.
BlaBlaCar, a carpooling app, is also a cheap and convenient way to get around. It is commonly used around the the northeast coast of Brazil and there are usually several rides available. Rides to Pipa from Recife or Joao Pessoa may drop you off in Goianinha, and from here you will need to take a minivan or Uber to Pipa.
How to get to Pipa from Natal
From Natal (Terminal Rodoviário de Natal) there is a regular direct bus to Pipa. The bus is scheduled to depart almost every hour on the hour, from 6am to 6pm - however delays are common. It costs R$24 and takes around 1.5-2 hours, depending on traffic and the time of day.
How to get to Pipa from Recife
From Recife (Terminal Rodoviário do Recife), take a bus in the direction of Natal. Ask the driver to let you off in Goianinha, 3.5-4 hours from Recife (tickets).
From Goianinha, a minivan runs regularly to Pipa departing from the front of the church called Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres. The van ride takes around 40 minutes and costs R$5.5.
Alternatively, it is possible to take an Uber or 99 from Goianinha to Pipa for around R$40.
How to get to Pipa from Salvador
There is no direct bus to Pipa from Salvador. To travel to Pipa, the fastest route is to take the overnight bus from Salvador (Terminal Rodoviário de Salvador) to Recife (Terminal Rodoviário do Recife) (tickets). From here, follow the directions for how to get to Pipa from Recife.
While there is a direct bus from Salvador to Goianinha, this is option is not recommended as the travel time is significantly longer.
How to get around Pipa
Many of Pipa's beaches can be reached by foot from town. A local van runs along the coast providing access to several beaches that are further away.
Check the tide times before going to Baia dos Golfinos. You can access this beach by foot from the main beach at low tide, but make sure to return before high-tide or you may be stuck there! There is no access via the surrounding cliffs.
Things to know before you go
Pipa is a small coastal town, popular for surfing. There are many surf schools in town, as well as schools and rentals operating on several of Pipa's beaches. If you're lucky, you can surf among dolphins on Praia dos Golfinos as well as some of the other popular surf beaches. Pipa is notoriously windy, and has also become a popular place for kite surfing and windsurfing.
Pipa is increasingly popular among digital nomads, and now offers several co-working and co-living spaces.
If possible, bring enough cash for your trip. The only ATM available in Pipa is the "Banco 24 Hours", which attracts a very high fee for foreign cards and doesn't always work.
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