São Miguel do Gostoso
Brazil’s hippest new beach destination?
It seems like everywhere you turn in Natal, there is a buzzword on everyone’s lips…..”Have you heard of………?””Ever been to………..?” “We are thinking of moving to…..São Miguel do Gostoso,” even the name means “delicious”!
This colourful, relaxed and remarkably unassuming village of some 8000 friendly and laidback locals is now the 4th biggest destination on the planet for kitesurfing, attracting aficionados from all over the world.
The winds on the Ponto Santo Cristo attract tourism year-round but don’t affect sunbathers soaking up the rays on the 30km long expanse of white sand. Space, space and more space, a feast for the senses. Nature has been kind to São Miguel do Gostoso.
Captain Jack Sparrows beach bar and restaurant
Drive along the spectacular beach some 7kms and you reach Tourinhos, otherwise knows as the “perfect bay”. Regularly used for calendar shoots it may look familiar, but as all the land is privately owned in order to protect it this is one paradise that will remain unspoilt.
Set on the most north-easterly point of the continent, this is a community on the way up, and quickly. Driving into Gostoso one of the first things you will notice is the remarkably good infrastructure. Wide paved streets dotted with colourful cottages lovingly painted in bright colours and designs by both locals and the growing numbers of newcomers who have chosen to make this little slice of paradise home.
The village received mobile phone access and internet in 2009 and the population is beginning to explode as a result. The main town centre boasts a beautifully restored church, some of the region’s finest restaurants, beach bars, supermarkets, craft shops, beauticians, a post office, pharmacies, a gas station, a medical centre, a mechanics, cashpoints for international cards and so on. In fact it is entirely self-contained and far better developed than almost any other village along Natal’s northern coastline.
The road to the beach
As a result of the area’s popularity, existing businesses are struggling to keep up with demand. There are now 14 pousadas (small hotels) in São Miguel do Gostoso as opposed to 11 last year, most of which are very upmarket and cater to a well-heeled crowd from the south of Brazil. On a recent visit in Jan 2010 every single bed in the town was rented out.
Brazilians are bringing their culinary skills from as a far as exotic southern Bahia (the sublime and romantic Hibiscus restaurant) and Sao Paulo (fresh sushi at Talisma).
Party the night away with sand in your toes at Captain Jack Sparrows on the beach, or at stylish pizzeria bar Spaço Mix. Try one of their tamarind caipirinhas, with the fruit picked straight off the tree.
All this in at atmosphere of tranquility, calm and safety. You can still leave your door unlocked in Sao Miguel.
Map of Sao Miguel do Gostoso
Access to the town could not be easier – a straight shot north from Natal to the end of the newly resurfaced BR101, a left turn, and in under 1h 30m you have arrived. Further infrastructure improvements in the region will greatly benefit São Miguel do Gostoso with shorter driving times from densely populated Recife once the BR101 is widened south of Natal and of course the new airport, northside of the State Capital which is set to bring in an estimated 40 million passengers per year. The 2014 Fifa World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics will all bring a spotlight to Brazil as it climbs towards its future status as one of the world’s largest economies.
You don’t need to take our word for it however. São Miguel do Gostoso has become something of a darling of the Brazilian press of late. In the last few months alone, São Miguel do Gostoso has been voted in Brazil’s top 10 beaches in Men’s Health, as the hottest new destination in numerous domestic magazines and had several slots on the national news channel Globo, as the “next big thing”.
Property is inexpensive and is going up in value quickly as there is a burgeoning demand. uv10 is proud to be able to offer you Gostoso’s first two licensed developments, put together by local developers who are passionate about the village and want to help it towards the future. This really is the start of something very special and the very best time to invest.
See our property listings in São Miguel do Gostoso for more information.
