Sao Miguel do Gostoso

Gostoso sits close to the point where the Brazilian coastline turns from facing east to facing north, and that corner gives it side-shore wind across a long shallow beach for most of the second half of the year - conditions that made it a windsurfing base before kiting arrived, and that keep both going. Praia do Cardeiro and Ponta do Santo Cristo are the working spots, with flat sections inshore and swell outside. The village itself is small, with sand streets, a fishing fleet and a handful of restaurants, and it has developed far more slowly than Cumbuco or Pipa. Coconut groves back the beach and there are dunes and lagoons a short drive inland.

History

The town was founded on 29 September 1884 as São Miguel de Touros and on 16 July 1993 split from the municipality of Touros. After keeping its old name for its first elections in 1996, it took the name São Miguel do Gostoso after a local referendum on 19 November 2000 (Wikipedia, São Miguel do Gostoso).

What you'll find

• A coastal corner - where Brazil turns from east-facing to north-facing.
• Side-shore wind for half the year - the condition that built the village's trade.
• A working fishing fleet - boats on the same beach as the schools.
• Sand streets and low building - development well behind the bigger spots.

When to go

July to January for wind. Three days.

Good to know

There is little to do here outside watersports, and beginners can find the wind strong. Restaurants are few and close early. The road in is long from Natal. Out of season the village is very quiet and some places shut.

Nearby

Touros is east; Genipabu and Natal are south down the coast.