Mossoró

Brazil · Americas

About Mossoró

Mossoró is a Brazilian municipality in the interior of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, recognized as the capital of the Brazilian semi-arid region. Covering an area of approximately 2,100 square kilometres (810 sq mi), it is the largest municipality in the state by area, located 281 kilometers from the state capital, Natal. With a population of 264,577 inhabitants according to the 2022 demographic census, it ranks as the second most populous city in Rio Grande do Norte, after the capital, the most populous in the state's interior, and the 108th in Brazil.

Situated between two state capitals, Natal and Fortaleza, both connected by the BR-304 highway that bypasses the municipality, Mossoró is one of the main cities in the Northeast's interior and is experiencing significant economic and infrastructural growth. It is one of the most attractive cities in Brazil for investments. The municipality is one of Brazil's largest producers of onshore oil, and its economy is notably driven by irrigated horticulture, largely oriented toward export.

Emancipated from Assu in 1852, the municipality's history is marked by significant events, including the abolition of slavery in 1883, five years before the Lei Áurea, the first female vote in Brazil, and the historic resistance against the bandit group led by Lampião in 1927. A cultural hub of Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró is also prominent in business tourism. Annual festivities attract numerous tourists, such as the Mossoró Cidade Junina, one of Brazil's largest June festivals, and the Auto da Liberdade, the country's largest open-air theatrical performance.

Mossoró travel guide

Getting there

By plane Azul Conecta organises flights to Fortaleza and Natal, and Azul Brazilian Airlines to Recife. Travellers to these locations can also use the car to reach these destinations.

By bus Buses almost every hour to Natal (4 hours), by Guanabara and Nordeste. Buses every two hours to Fortaleza (4 hours, R$ 40), by Guanabara and Nordeste. 5 buses a day to Aracati (1.5 hours), by Nordeste. From here you can easily connect to Canoa Quebrada. One night bus to João Pessoa, by Nordeste.

By taxi Shared taxis to Tibau at R$10 per person.

Getting around

Local buses are not a good option, since their routes, bus stops and schedules are not clear. Taxis and moto-taxis (you go with the driver of a motorcycle) are very easy to find. Moto-taxis are a cheap alternative to taxi cabs, but they might be dangerous and the helmets are usually dirty.

See

Resistance memorial (Memorial da resistência) with pictures of famous outlaw Lampião and his gang. Petrol museum Downtown churches, all within walking distance of one other.

Buy

The city centre is full of stores selling everything from clothes to electronics and shoes.

Partage Shopping Mossoró, Av. João da Escóssia, 1515 - Nova Betânia, [email protected]. A mall with many options for shopping and food. (updated Jul 2017)

Eat

Praça de convivência, an open mall near the centre, with lots of bars, restaurants, snack bars and fast food joints, with live music on weekends and lots of options for local food and drinks. Quite safe area. Tratoria - Japanese, Italian, and other types of food in a nice place with reasonable prices. Live music on weekends. Sebosão (big greasy), a not so clean place with sandwiches and drinks. Kobal - regional food in a kind of street market

Drink & nightlife

Cândidos Tratoria Acapulcos And lots of local pubs open all night long.

Sleep

Quite a few hotels along the highway near the bus station.

Sabinos, near UFERSA. Ibis Mossoró, Rua Manoel Hemetério 10, ☏ +55-84-3422-6422, [email protected]. (updated May 2023) Thermas Hotel Mossoró, Av. Lauro Monte 2001, ☏ +55 84 3422-1200. Hotel with thermal baths. Water playground for children. Conference facilities. Rooms somewhat outdated. (updated Jun 2023)

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.