Things To Do
in Currais Novos
Currais Novos is a small inland city in the Seridó region of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, set among rocky hills and semi-arid caatinga. It blends a working-class mining and agricultural history with a slow-paced town center, local crafts and lively religious and folk festivals. Visitors will find wide skies, warm sun, rustic landscapes and viewpoints that capture the character of Brazil’s interior.
The city is a good base for exploring nearby backcountry trails, small reservoirs and traditional Seridó culture.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
You arrive in Currais Novos and start your day with a strong cup of local coffee at a charming sidewalk café overlooking the main plaza. The scent of fresh pão de queijo drifts through the air as you plan your exploration. Friendly vendors greet you warmly, offering handcrafted souvenirs as you soak in the town’s laid-back rhythm.
After a light lunch of tapioca and fresh tropical fruits, you join a guided walking tour of the historic center. Colorful colonial facades and the ornate interior of the Igreja Matriz de Sant’Ana capture your attention as you learn about the region’s past. You pause at Praça Teodorico Ramos to admire street art depicting local legends.
As dusk falls, you savor a hearty dinner of carne de sol and macaxeira at a rustic bistrô. Live forró music drifts through the windows, inviting you to dance beneath paper lanterns. You end the night sipping cachaça under the stars in a cozy open-air lounge.
You begin with a visit to the Memorial da Resistência Potiguar, where interactive exhibits recount stories of resilience and tradition. The well-curated displays bring local history to life against a backdrop of preserved architecture. Sunlight filters through stained-glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the polished tile floors.
Lunch at a nearby family-run restaurant introduces you to regional staples like galinha à cabidela and feijão verde. You then explore Casa da Cultura Popular, meeting artisans who weave intricate lace and embroider lacework by hand. Each crafted piece reflects generations of skill passed down through matriarchal lines.
You attend a small performance of folk dance in a plaza courtyard, the rhythmic stomps and swirling skirts telling tales of harvest and faith. Dinner follows at a candlelit café, where you sample beijú de tapioca served with honey. You close the evening listening to local storytellers share legends around a crackling bonfire.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $4-8 |
| 🍽️Three-course meal at mid-range restaurant (per person) | $10-20 |
| ☕Coffee at a local café | $1-2 |
| 🚌Local bus fare | $0.50-1.50 |
| 🚕Short taxi ride | $3-8 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Authentic Sertão culture and relaxed small-town atmosphere
- Great landscapes and viewpoints for photography
- Affordable prices and friendly locals
- Close access to caatinga trails and rural life
- Limited tourist infrastructure and nightlife compared with larger cities
- Irregular public transport—best explored with a car or private driver
- Hot, dry climate can be challenging for some visitors
- Fewer options for specialized dietary needs or high-end dining
- "Bom dia" - Good morning
- "Por favor" - Please
- "Obrigado / Obrigada" - Thank you (male / female speaker)
- "Quanto custa?" - How much does it cost?
- "Onde fica o mercado?" - Where is the market?
- "Sou vegetariano / vegetariana" - I am vegetarian
- "Pode me ajudar?" - Can you help me?
Places to Visit in Currais Novos
Visit one of these nice places.
Several hills surrounding the city provide sweeping panoramas for sunrise and sunset, with rocinha (rocky outcrop) textures and caatinga vegetation ideal for wide-angle landscape shots.
Photograph daily life, colonial-influenced façades and local markets; early morning light brings vendors setting up stalls and authentic street scenes.
Colorful stalls, textiles, pottery and crafts make excellent close-up and documentary-style images focusing on texture and human detail.
Dirt lanes, cacti, sculpted trees and rock formations create dramatic compositions, particularly after brief rains when contrasts are strong.
Food in Currais Novos
Currais Novos Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
Sun-dried and salted beef, typically served with cassava, rice and manteiga de garrafa (clarified butter); find it in family restaurants and local eateries that specialize in traditional Northeastern fare.
Must-Try!
Goat meat prepared slowly, common in the Sertão and often served at festivals and weekend meals; available at regional restaurants and during local celebrations.
A versatile cassava-based pancake filled with cheese, coconut, or savory ingredients — popular from street vendors and bakeries for breakfast or snacks.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Local market selling fresh produce, cheeses, dried goods and snacks; best place to try regional cheese, homemade sweets and pastel or tapioca prepared to order.
Look for vendors selling tapioca, pastel, grilled corn and fried snacks near plazas and working neighborhoods especially in the evenings and market days.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Warm, polite greetings are common. Handshakes for formal interactions and one cheek kiss between friends (or a light hug) are typical—follow the lead of locals.
Religious and family traditions are important; dress modestly when visiting churches and be respectful during festivals and ceremonies.
Brazilians are typically friendly and conversational—small talk is welcome. Learning a few Portuguese phrases will go a long way and shows respect.
Ask permission before photographing people, especially in rural communities or religious settings; vendors may expect a small purchase if you take close-up photos.
Safety
Tipping in Currais Novos
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is appreciated but not as mandatory as in some countries. Restaurants sometimes add a 10% service charge; if not, leaving 5–10% for good service is common. For guides, drivers and porters, small cash tips are customary.
Cash (Brazilian real) is widely used, especially at markets and small vendors. Credit and debit cards are accepted at mid-range restaurants and larger shops, but connectivity can be unreliable. ATMs are available in town but can be limited—carry enough cash for remote excursions.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Hotter temperatures and sunnier days—expect high heat during the day with the possibility of brief heavy rains; ideal for clear-sky photography but bring sun protection and hydration.
Temperatures begin to moderate and the transition period may bring sporadic rain; vegetation can look refreshed after any showers and temperatures are generally comfortable for hiking.
Dry season in the Sertão with cooler nights and mild days—great for outdoor activities, clearer skies and reduced humidity; mornings and evenings can be pleasantly cool.
Warming trend toward summer with increasing sun and occasional showers later in the season; good time for wildflower displays if rains arrive and for cultural events that happen before the hottest months.
Currais Novos at Night
Hiking in Currais Novos
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Unmarked and semi-developed trails through typical caatinga landscape with rocky outcrops and scrub vegetation—good for short to moderate hikes and landscape photography; bring water and a guide if unfamiliar.
Paths around small reservoirs and farm tracks offer easy walks and birdwatching opportunities, especially near water sources where wildlife concentrates after rains.
Short climbs to nearby hilltops provide panoramic views of Currais Novos and the Seridó plain—these are popular for sunrise and sunset visits.
Airports
How to reach Currais Novos by plane.
The main international gateway for Rio Grande do Norte in Natal; offers national and some international flights and is the primary airport for travelers coming to the Seridó region—reachable by car or bus in a few hours.
Smaller regional airports in the state offer limited connections and are useful for domestic hops; services are irregular and ground transfers are common for final legs of the journey.
Currais Novos may have a small aerodrome or airstrip for private aviation and emergency flights—check in advance for availability and charter options.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
The population reflects Brazil’s diverse heritage with a strong presence of mixed-race and Afro-Brazilian families who contribute to local culture, music and cuisine.
Surrounding areas are populated by farmers and smallholders involved in cattle, goat rearing and subsistence agriculture adapted to semi-arid conditions.
Historically linked to small-scale mining and related trades, some families depend on extractive and industrial activities in the region.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The most popular sport across Brazil, played and followed passionately at amateur and local club levels in Currais Novos.
Indoor five-a-side football is common in schools and community centers, especially among youth.
Rural traditions include horseback riding and rodeo-style events tied to agricultural fairs and festivals in the region.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Currais Novos.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options are available but limited compared with larger cities—tapioca with cheese or coconut, rice and beans, salads and vegetable stews are common. Communicate preferences in Portuguese (e.g., 'sou vegetariano/vegetariana') and ask for dishes without dried meat or fish stock.
Vegan and gluten-free options can be found but are not widespread; cassava-based dishes and many fruit juices are naturally gluten-free and some vendors can accommodate vegan requests if asked. Carry snacks if you have strict needs.
Explain allergies in Portuguese and double-check ingredients, since many home-style dishes may use lard, dairy or stock prepared from meat. Pharmacies sell antihistamines but severe allergies should be managed with prior planning.