this is genipabu, a very trendy and famous beach close to the city of natal, the capital of the state of rio grande do norte. it is reputed to be one of the most beautiful in brasil. it is pretty, but i thought it was a bit overrated, and a bit too conscious of its own fame, if you know what i mean. it was the one beach in all my trips where i was made to feel like a tourist - there were lots of people selling useless but 'exotic' adventures, like camel riding in the sand dunes. camels?! in brasil? whatever.... :). the sand dunes are fun, but frankly, if you want really amazing sand dunes head further north west, to places like jericoacoara, parque de lencois and the general costal region between the states of ceara, piaui and maranhao.